Ball pythons are well-known for his or her relaxed, docile attitudes. This makes them a great pet snake for anybody who desires to have the ability to deal with their pet.
It may well additionally make routine tank upkeep and well being checks a lot less complicated when in comparison with quicker or extra aggressive species.
Earlier than you attain into the cage and begin choosing up your ball python, nevertheless, there are a couple of necessary suggestions which can be value contemplating.
By following the steering on this article you’ll not solely assist to guard your snake from hurt however may even decrease the probabilities of you getting bitten by a burdened or defensive python.
Earlier than You Deal with a Ball Python
Whereas there are skilled ball python homeowners who know their snakes properly, and may merely attain into the cage to scoop up their pet, on this article I’m going to imagine you’re a more recent ball python proprietor.
In consequence I’m going to stroll you thru the entire course of from starting to finish, providing you with factors to contemplate at each stage.
Over time you too will get conversant in your snake – and they’re going to turn out to be comfy with being dealt with – so the entire course of turns into simpler and extra pure for each of you.
Profitable ball python dealing with begins earlier than you even open the cage. Listed here are some necessary factors to consider earlier than making an attempt to carry any snake…
Has Your Ball Python Lately Been Rehoused?
Most snakes, together with ball pythons, can take time to regulate to new environment.
When you’ve just lately bought your first ball python, otherwise you’ve cleaned out their cage and moved the tank decor round, they might not be totally comfy but.
Trying to deal with a nervous or burdened snake might be disagreeable in your ball python. It could additionally improve the probabilities of you getting nipped by a defensive specimen.
Usually it’s best to let your ball python get conversant in their environment for per week or two earlier than trying to deal with them.
Has Your Ball Python Eaten Lately?
A hungry ball python is extra more likely to mistake you for meals and lunge in your course if you open the cage.
Moreover, most consultants advise that snakes shouldn’t be held for 24-48 hours after they’ve eaten, to present them time to correctly begin the method of digestion.
Usually talking it’s best to contemplate dealing with your ball python for the primary time a couple of days after their final meal, when their urge for food needs to be low however the discomfort of getting swallowed a big rodent has subsided.
Clear Your Palms Completely
Reptiles are delicate animals, and plenty of chemical substances which can be a part of our on a regular basis lives could cause issues. Cleansing your fingers completely earlier than dealing with your snake minimizes the probabilities of transferring any cosmetics, cleansing merchandise or different chemical substances to your snake by mistake.
One other good purpose to completely cleanse your fingers earlier than ball python dealing with is that it removes any meals smells out of your particular person. Attempting to choose up a snake shortly after consuming fried rooster and that wealthy meaty scent might result in your snake mistaking your fingers for dinner.
There are two methods to correctly cleanse your fingers. Washing them completely works properly. Simply pretty much as good, nevertheless, is investing in a reptile-safe hand sanitizer. Personally I all the time preserve a bath of this in my animal room, prepared for any dealing with actions.
Discover a Appropriate Location
Usually talking ball pythons are calm and sluggish transferring snakes, which is among the the explanation why they’re really easy to deal with. All the identical, it is smart to contemplate what you’ll do in case your dealing with session doesn’t go as anticipated. One key side right here is your location.
It’s best to deal with ball pythons indoors in case you are a brand new snake proprietor, so there may be much less probability of them getting away from you.
Moreover it’s clever to deal with your python over a low and/or delicate floor similar to a mattress or when sitting on the ground. This ensures that if you happen to by chance drop your snake they need to survive the autumn with out incident.
Decrease Noise & Different Disturbances
Ball pythons are delicate to disturbances, so that you’ll need to preserve the world during which you deal with your snake as calm and relaxed as attainable.
Shut out different pets, flip off any music, and stop pointless noise like kids screaming or canine barking.
The quieter and extra chill you may make the expertise, the extra comfy your ball python is more likely to be with the state of affairs.
Take a look at for Feeding Responses
Some pet snakes develop a “feeding response”. They get used to being fed of their cage, they usually begin to hyperlink the cage door opening with being fed. You don’t desire a ball python hanging at your hand below the mistaken assumption that you just’re dinner.
Whereas this does by no means happen with all snakes, it’s definitely one thing to concentrate on, particularly if you happen to’ve just lately introduced house a brand new pet snake.
When opening the cage test for any apparent indicators of your snake coiling up able to strike. Additionally, when approaching the snake together with your hand attempt to keep away from going straight for the top, and as a substitute focus your consideration additional alongside your snake’s physique.
Whereas some consultants will sniff on the thought, if you happen to’re unsure about dealing with your ball python there may be nothing flawed with carrying thick gardening gloves when getting them out of the cage as a type of additional safety.
Some snake homeowners use a snake hook to softly coax snakes out of their cages, however that is not often obligatory with ball pythons.
Choosing Up a Docile Ball Python
Choosing up a docile ball python is simplicity itself. Being docile and sluggish transferring they are often simply and calmly scooped up out of their cage.
Assuming you’ve adopted all of the earlier steps, and avoiding getting too near the top finish, most ball pythons might be gently lifted up on the thickest a part of their physique. Attempt to help the majority of the snake with each fingers, permitting it to crawl gently throughout your upturned fingers.
Quick, jerky actions can spook ball pythons so attempt to be assured however sluggish and regular when lifting the snake up for the primary time.
Find out how to Deal with a Ball Python
By this level it’s best to have efficiently eliminated your ball python from their cage. You’re supporting the physique of the snake correctly. So what do you have to bear in mind when the snake is definitely in your fingers?
Introduce Dealing with Slowly
Whereas ball pythons usually adapt properly to routine dealing with, you ought to be aware to introduce dealing with slowly and methodically. Don’t have your snake out for an hour the very first time, for instance.
As an alternative construct up the time period you deal with your snake over some weeks and even months, beginning initially with periods of just some minutes every. You need to exhibit to your snake that they don’t have anything to concern when being dealt with. As your snake will get conversant in the method you’ll be able to lengthen the dealing with time.
Word that some extra delicate snakes can show stress from dealing with by going off their meals for durations of time. When you snake refuses to eat, however isn’t clearly coming as much as slough, then you might need to take into account scaling again your dealing with time for some time.
Transfer Gently & Calmly
Gradual and regular wins the race in relation to dealing with ball pythons.
Don’t get burdened, don’t get over-excited. Hold your voice low and your actions sluggish, calm and predictable.
Doing so will make the expertise extra acceptable in your snake, and so rewarding for you.
Keep Away from Your Snake’s Head
Even tame snakes can take offence to things being positioned too near their head. That is particularly if it occurs unexpectedly, similar to a good friend abruptly sticking a smartphone of their face for a photograph alternative.
Whilst you shouldn’t concern your ball python’s head additional care needs to be taken round it to forestall scaring your pet.
Returning Your Snake to It’s Enclosure
When you’ve completed your ball python dealing with session it’s time to return your pet to their cage. That is usually fairly easy with ball pythons, as they’ll merely be positioned calmly again into their cage and positioned onto their substrate.
Another choice, notably helpful when you’ve got a front-opening vivarium, is to softly level the head-end of your ball python onto the cage by way of the open door. Most ball pythons will then slither into their cage of their very own accord.
The additional advantage of this method is that you would be able to be certain the top of your snake is much away from you always. The draw back is a few ball pythons simply sit virtually immobile at that time, refusing to slither into their lodging!
It needs to be apparent – although common tales on social media recommend in any other case – however be sure you firmly shut the tank when you’ve put your snake again! By accident leaving the enclosure partly open is a standard supply of escaped pet reptiles.
Rewash Your Palms
Lastly, cleanse your fingers as soon as once more. Some snakes have been recognized to hold salmonella, and whereas the dangers are minimal to most reptile keepers it is smart to take all obligatory precautions simply to be secure.
Be certain anybody else concerned within the dealing with session – particularly kids – comply with the identical process.
