Basically, ball pythons are wonderful and eye-catching snakes, however, handling them require proper attention towards the welfare of the snake. In this article, we are going to look at the right approach to handling and playing with a ball python as well as the correct procedures. This mean creating the right environment all the way to understanding how your serpent pal behaves. Next you will be set to go with all the information you need to be quite comfortable in handling your slithery friend.
There is need to know how to handle ball pythons to ensure that they do not suffer. By managing them properly you can assist in the reduction of stress and building up trust with the snake. They need physical exercise which handling offers together with mental stimulation besides company which is very inevitable for them. Furthermore, check up and be in possession of your ball pythons frequently so as to check for any underlying ailments with them, and also so as to establish closer contact with them.
But if ill-treating or practicing wrong methods it will lead to stress, injuries and even affects their feeding habits. That is why it can be seen as critical to be familiar with proper procedures to interacting with a ball python so that it remains at ease and protected.
Preparing for Handling
This is why it is very important to ensure that there is order and safety especially when dealing with the ball python. Information about the habitat of these reptiles show that they can easily stress and therefore need to be secure always. You are helping them to stay out of harms way, being a positive influence on their lives and making them feel at ease. This means that their place of confinement should be safe and no possibility of the occurrence of any incidences likely to harm a human being. Temperature and humidity control is also very significant for their health, the temperatures have to stay constant. In essence, by ensuring that your ball python’s environment is free from disturbances and is calm, you’re encouraging the creation of a space that the python can feel comfortable in and grow in.
Guidelines to Creating a Proper Environment
Since ball pythons are pets, they need to be provided with a proper environment in which they will also thrive in. Here are a few tips to help you create a comfortable home for your scaly friend:Here are a few tips to help you create a comfortable home for your scaly friend:
- Enclosure: Which include a large cage that should have an opportunity for the bird to stretch its wings and( or) grow. The young ball pythons should be housed in a 20-gallon tank whereas the adult ones may need a 40-gallon tank or even a bigger one.
- Substrate: Most of them require a substrate such as aspen shaving, cypress mulch or coconut husk to provide an environment that mimics their natural habitats. Eliminate substances which may be ingested or which may have an adverse impact on respiratory system.
- Temperature: Tropical conditions should be properly maintained through the use of heating elements for temp control such as under tank heater or a ceramic heat emitter. Desired side temperatures should be the warm side at about 88-92°F (31-33°C) while the cool side should range from 78-80°F (25-27°C).
- Humidity: Relative humidity for ball pythons should range between 50-60%. This can be in the form of a humidity box, by spriting the enclosure or through the use of a reptile humidifier.
- Hiding spots: Offer numerous opportunities to hide behind the reptile caves, branches or the cork bark. This tends to make your ball python to be comfortable thus making it to have very few stresses.
- Lighting: Offer a day night cycle using a light timer. Actually, it is advisable to employ low intensity of UVB lighting even though it’s not a prerequisite for the procedure.
Picking up is done in a proper manner with consideration being paid to the kinds of places one uses to pick up from.
The property of ball pythons was offering some interesting natural behaviors. Let me explain a few of them to you:
- Nocturnal Nature: As widely observed, ball pythons are majorly nocturnal hence they are active more during the night time. These animals have well developed eyesight and olfactory organs and therefore are able to search for food during nighttime.
- Coiling and Constriction: while hunting ball pythons use their muscular power to coil around the prey they are hoping to swallow. They compress and apply pressure on the prey to immobilize it and Chavez notes that they even obstruct the airways of the prey which lead to suffocation.
- Balling Up: The members of this genus are called ball pythons and they possess a particular way of defending themselves. During threatened and anxious moments, their physical structure contracts and their heads and necks are pulled into the center of the shape they make, a ball like shape. This action assists them in shielding their weak areas namely the head and the neck.
- Burrowing and Hiding: In their natural environment ball pythons are fossorial or semi fossorial due to their habit of digging and hibernating. These are to ensure that they get ideal hiding places from which they cannot be easily hunted; these include areas with thick cover such as thickets, burrows, or felled logs. Such actions enable them to be protected, thus, creating a sense of security in their lives.
- Temperature Regulation: They are ectothermic animals which implies that the body temperatures of ball pythons can therefore be regulated endogenously by use of external heat sources. In order to maintain an optimal body temperature they sun bath and get warm and shift to other areas to get cool.
- Shedding: Like any other reptile, ball pythons also molt and this is a process that happens from time to time. This is known as ecdysis. They will most of the times withdraw from social activities and their feathers may lose their sheen before shedding off. They have to shed so that they can undergo the process of regeneration as well as replace old and damaged skins. Handling ball pythons is relatively easy at first, as most of these snakes are likely to become defensive and may even hiss as they have been proved to become tamed given some time. One should calm and confidently interact with them and when lifting them it is recommended to attend to their entire body. This is one of the many reasons why the Ball pythons is so named, they are able to curl up into a ball. Basically, this is their defensive mechanism that is innate in them, or as those familiar with the animal kingdom call it, an ‘instinct’. If you deal with them on a daily basis and patiently, you can prevent them from becoming stressed and build their trust.
Handling Tips and Guidelines
For instance, when dealing with your ball python, it is important to be as confident as possible while at the same time remain as patient as possible. These awesome animals can feel your energy, thus it is recommended to come to them with a clear and happy mind. Just bear in mind that they are likely to be a little scared in the beginning, but with the assurance and the gentle attitude, you will soon assure them. Be patient and let them have a feel of whatever they are holding in their hands before trying to address them. This way they will assure their patients that all actions performed on them are slow and safe, hence reduce on their stress levels. If they roll into a ball of fear and insecurity do not panic! Keep the fingers and other extremities steady, the lower body and legs still, and the overall demeanour calm and composed or at least, as calm and composed as possible. Over some time and when handling or petting your ball python regularly they become friendly and even develop close relation with you. Therefore, do not avoid your ball python and should you decide to grab it, then you should do it confidently and patiently and enjoy your pet.
It is important to know that every single ball python has their own tolerance when it comes to handling. As with most living creatures, though, they have their likes and dislikes as well as their thresholds. You should also know they gradual process of getting used to your snake is one that has to be taken. First of all, let them have the space to move in their enclosure with an aim of familiarizing themselves with their environment. After they appear to be relaxed, you should start petting them, fondling them occasionally for a few minutes at a time. Last but not the least one has to look out for their body language signs like when they draw in or clinch up. These are signs which possibly suggest that, they are reaching their precipice. Much as it remains important to challenge them in order to help them grow, one should however ensure that they never go over the limit with them. As days go by and with due diligence, you will be in a position to elongate the period or the number of handling sessions as your ball python accepts. Never let them down or forget that trust is not easily earned it demands time.
Potential Challenges and Troubleshooting
There are always some challenges or some concerns associated with handling a ball python, don’t worry, my friend! Alright, let me start listing some of the general ones that may be easy to get lost in: Another pitfall that you stand to make is your snake becoming defensive or even aggressive. This is how they can communicate feeling annoyed or stressed, and that should be taken into consideration. This behavior is normal for ball pythons, occasional “shutting down” or refusing to be handled is quite okay. Another is accidental dropping Shoppers are likely to drop their gadgets accidentally especially when they are busy shopping or when their hands are full. Ball pythons can be quite slick therefore it becomes important to handle them across a flat surface in order not to accidently drop them.
Also, some people especially children at times develop fears of being bitten. Of course, it’s necessary to know that snakes bite only as a last measure, so if you need to face it, be calm and self-assured – the changes are minimal. But if you ever get bitten that is not the time to panic you just slowly release the animal without pulling it. Lastly the snakes may sometimes become sensitive when being handled after shedding. The next best thing you can do is to avoid handling them in the process and to ensure they provide a humid hide for a smooth shed.
The following are some things that may go wrong when dealing with your ball python – Here are some tips to follow when dealing with your ball python. First of all, you always have to be confident and relaxed when you are near the snake. Snakes can see your energy, so one should not get tensed as this will make the snake tense too. If you have approached your snake and it appears to be aggressive you should leave it alone for some time then try again. Patience is key! To ensure you do not drop your snake accidentally, make sure you have a flat surface over which you can place the snake; like a table or bed.
Another way is to cover with a towel or blanket hands and wrists in order to get a better grip. So if you are worried about being bitten, use proper handling postures like supporting your body weight and avoiding unwanted movements. That is why in case of a bite, one should remain calm and carefully take the limb that is in a bite out without trying to separate the jaws. Lastly, during the shedding periods, it will be advisable to avoid touching your snake because this might cause it stress or feel uncomfortable. With these tips and bending to your snake’s needs you should be ready to face any challenges and make the handling session as positive as it can be for the both of you and your ball python.
Conclusion
All in all, it can be deduced that it is prudent to be patient, respect and understand the temperament of your ball python. He pointed out that there is one thing that many people get wrong when dealing with people with such conditions as autism; it is about respecting their current capabilities and this explains why gradual acclimation is encouraged. It is important to be cautious of normal behaviour patterns such as defensive posturing of the dog, dropping something and many more together with caution when the dog is shedding. These are some of the challenges that many people face when they are handling and dealing with the serpents, however, if you are calm, confident and if you know how to handle the animal, then you can easily overcome all these challenges and make it a good experience when handling the snake.
