Hi Guys,

I just registered and thought I'd join a forum where I could ask questions and have answers instead of spending hours researching (which I have done). I've recently gotten a Ball Python (1 week ago) and did a bit of research on them before buying them but I must say, Im still nervous everytime I hold it. This is the first time I've ever touched a snake, nevermind owning one. Anyway, a little while ago I picked it up and it moved slightly faster than it usually does and brought its head towards my hand and just by instinct I dropped it into the tank and heard a large thump. I felt bad and put the box near its face and it quickly went in. My question is, did I hurt it? and how long should I wait before holding it again?

I was fine with it up until yesterday when I fed it. Like a moron, I went online and started watching clips of snakes feeding and gained back my nervousness so I picked it up today (I read that you should wait atleast a day before handling it after a feed) to get that nervousness out and now I dont know what to do.

Welcome to HC. Your new found friend needs to adjust a bit. Whenever they are first purchased they go through a little "adjustment" phrase. Let him adjust for a few weeks, and if you are that nervous about his "quick" movements, wear garden gloves when you handle him next. Best of luck

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

Thanks for your reply.

A part of me almost WANTS it to bite me so that I get a feel of it and no longer worry about it but lets be real, that probably wouldnt happen (me getting used to it biting me).

I know how you feel, I had an Okeetee that bit me 30 times a day. He never would conform. The more you handle them, the better they are. Unfortunately you need to NOT handle them for the first few weeks.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

Don't let it freak you out. A sudden movement on the snakes part is not necessarily aggression. You have a baby snake and it is going to be a bit nervous of YOU as well! Just keep YOUR movements slow and deliberate and avoid coming directly at his head. Take your time and let the two of you get to know each other.

At this size if he did bite you,...
you might not even realize it.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I remember the first time I held a snake... I was scared... Really really scared.... Kenman and merlin have some good advice, and you probably didnt hurt your snake... Next time however, pick him up, put a nice thick fluffy towel in the bottom of the cage, hold him over the cage, and if you get scared and drop him, hes got a soft landing spot. Baby ball pythons can be a bit nippy, but their bite isnt bad... It will be more of a shock to you than anything. Anyways, congrats on your little one, ball pythons, if handled often make awesome pets... And dont call yourself an idiot, we all go through a newbie phase.... In a few months, you wont even think of it as holding a snake

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"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Immanual Kant

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

ohhh...I see
So I ended up going and picking it up after I read your post (lol) and it was cool and moved around joyfully and then I put it back into its tank and it is now peacefully sitting inside its hiding place.

That's probably the most comforting thing anybody could tell me. lol

You are awesome!

Thanks for the advice and I shall hold it more often as I now know that its bite wont hurt me (Im pretending like I wont still be scared lol)

You've gotten great advice. I know when I first got my snake I just petted her for the first couple of weeks and worked up to holding her. I also worried every time I picked her up that she would bite me. Once I messed up (feeding error) and she did I haven't worried about it nearly as much.

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