Yet another addition to my family.

[Snake lover 3-25]

awwww very cute!!!

i take mine out too!!!!!! they love it..... especially my female because she was WC and the baby just fallows her around and hunts for worms..... which he does find sometimes!!!

[jeanette]

aww your girls are cute. ive only got boys myself, want to swap one? j/k
ok everyone seems to have things mostly answered for you. if you want to tame your new family member take things steady. the more relaxed you are the more relaxed he will be.
choose a time to handle him when things arnt so chaotic, i know this isnt ideal as your girls want to get to know him but trust me its better in the long run, even at this age it does hurt if they bite you and they can even leave teeth in the wound.
Boas are more prone to mites than Pythons but that isnt to say they dont get them, most pet store pythons run the risk of getting them and they make the pythons cranky. Ball/royal pythons are bad shedders, they need a small enclosed area to go and hide in before they shed, thats warm and damp. i use a box thats lined with moss, they tend to stay in it for a few days and then come out and shed there skin.
as Lori P said they can be difficult feeders especially when they have been moved around and tend to need settling before they will eat, if you have any trouble getting this snake to feed i would suggest cutting of the rear of the Foods skull in order to trigger a feeding instinct, something about the smell of the brains is pretty much an appetiser for these guys. when he becomes used to you and being fed i would recommend moving him into a dry box for feeding as these guys can get impacted although its rare.
Congrats on your new friend, im sure you will have a lot of enjoyment form him as we do form our little man.

[Lori P]

She's very nice Brett!! I would feed her weekly if she'll take it. Your idea of thawing the fuzzy on top of the cage is a good one... I've noticed that my Fluffy comes out looking once she starts to smell those mice. :-)

I think that, once she settled and more used to being handled, taking her outside of her cage will only give her positive stimulation... it has GOT to be a boring existance in a cage, even a nice cage. If she is stressed by you, she will hiss and ball up. If she's comfortable, she may still ball up but not as tightly, and after a few moments will move her head to look around. So you can read her stress level and decide whether she'd rather be left alone or can come out and be comfortable.

My Squiggles seems comfortable and curious when out of her cage, whereas Fluffy has never stopped hissing at me and stays balled up when out. But keep in mind, all this is only my limited observation and others here with more knowledge can help you more. :-)

[dashnu]

You guys all rock! Thanks for such good advise!! A really good group of people here, and I am glad I found this place!!

Lori I about died laughing when I read your Snakes names!! oh man!! Maybe I should name her "Cake" and when/if I get my male down the road name him ... yup you guessed it "Death" That way if someone comes over and ask to hold my snakes I could say "Cake or Death" that would be great

I do have a couple more questions now:

@Jeanette: I do feel pretty relaxed with her. Maybe a hint of nerves here and there since she striked at me. I do plan on taking your advise using calm times of the day. What is this moss you speak of? Just regular moss you find outside on a rock or something? Also I read on these forums about a "blue" stage... I think I am seeing hints of a bluish color on her and her hidding under the water bowl might be a sign she is getting ready to shed.. Im I understanding this "blue stage" correctly or am I just seeing things??? You also said "when he becomes used to you and being fed i would recommend moving him into a dry box for feeding as these guys can get impacted although its rare" What do you mean by dry box? And I was thinking of never feeding her in her enclosure. any draw back to this?

I think these are all my questions for now.. Thanks again!

[Zephyr]

I must admit, she is a very pretty snake.

[drache]

I know nothing about balls
she's cute though
and your girls are more than cute

[Loren]

As for taking critters outdoors, I dont usually do it, except to snap some pics, but its up to you. Pay attention to how they act- if they seem nervous- always looking for a place to hide- then I wouldnt do it. Bottom line, do not let one escape- the reason why fits in with the next 2 paragraphs of this post.

Keep in mind that it could have negative effects to let neighbors see you have snakes. Some people get awefully terrified to know that a snake is living on their street. Sometimes its better if they just dont know- even if you are following all the laws.

While it's Peta, and other groups like that, that pursue state and federal banning of reptile keeping, its often terrified neighbors that are behind the new laws we see in local governments to ban certain, or all, pet snakes.

As for picky feeders- mine used to eat thawed rodents no problem, until I gave him a couple live rats. He will not even look at a dead animal anymore. So I guess the moral of my story is, is you get him to take something healthy and convieniant, dont mess with sucess. Just my opinion, and based on just one ball python.

Thats a very nice ball.

[Snake lover 3-25]

Keep in mind that it could have negative effects to let neighbors see you have snakes. Some people get awefully terrified to know that a snake is living on their street. Sometimes its better if they just dont know- even if you are following all the laws.

most of mine already know...... i used to take them down the street durring neighborhood garage sales!!!!!

[dashnu]

yea, I dont have that issue.. I live in the middle of the woods!

[Snake lover 3-25]

Originally Posted by dashnu

yea, I dont have that issue.. I live in the middle of the woods!

LOL i'd like too!!!!!