I bought a female baby ball python on Saturday at a reptile show, now my first question is should i try feeding her when she comes out of her hide for the first time in the day time? because she only comes out at like 1 in the morning lol and secondly when i feed her i know i have to wait 3 days to hold her after feeding but I haven't touched her once since i brought her home and I want to know after I feed her once could i start picking her up every once in a while? so...

1.Should I feed her when she comes out in the day time?

2. Can I start handling her more often after she has eaten her meal and digested :)

1. You can feed her whenever you want, but it's a good idea to feed her at the same time every day. Snakes like routine.

2. After she's had some time to digest you can handle her for short periods a few times a day. She will get used to you and then you can start handling her longer.

It's good that you haven't handled her for awhile. Since she's new it's good to let them adapt to a new environment.

1. Balls are notoriously picky eaters at times. She me refuse especially this time of year, I know mine does. Try during the day, if she is out of the hide it is a better opportunity, and try not to startle her. When they get spooked (which happens easily) they aren't likely to eat.

2. You can handle her even 24 hours after feeding. There is no real limit to handling. If you feel comfortable with keeping her out more it isn't a problem.

Wait 10 days to let her get accustomed to her new home. By then she should be hungry enough to eat well for you. Feed at night...this is more natural for them. The rule of thumb is wait 48 hours after feeding to handle in order to prevent regurgitation. After the 48 hours, you can handle her for short periods of time each day. It takes time for them to get used to you.

Great site: http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide…

CVT and snake owner

When I bring new BPs home it depends on what I do. For really young ones I don't feed them until a week has gone by. I fill their tubs with crumpled newspaper and I don't even open up the tub for a week, when I open it to feed them. If I bring one that is a little bit older, 3+ months I will try the day I bring them home. If they don't eat it, I take it out and don't offer again for a week. In that time I don't open the tub to check on them. My rule "if they aren't eating, you shouldn't be handling them". BPs stress easily and handling them just makes it that much worse.

pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

As for the time of day, usually it doesn't matter. The youngins are always a bit more finicky about when they are fed. Some will not eat when they are in shed, some won't eat during the day, etc. Once they get older though, I can feed any time of day and any time of the shed cycle. Most of the babies don't care, but there's always one or two princesses in the mix. If you are going to feed frozen thawed (and warmed up) put it in late at night and leave it in overnight. Don't peek on the snake till morning. Feeding f/t can be a bit more tricky, but I've had luck if I leave it in all night long.

My ball python care sheet: http://www.slitherinsisters.com/ball-pyt…