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bullshingle
Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 60
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 Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:41 pm Post subject: So I got my ball today |
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Once again I'd just like to thank Ron for my new and first ball python.
It came right on time this morning and I did the procedure of letting it settle for about an hour in it's container. As soon as I set the container on the table it struck at me from inside the container. It must of been a pretty stressful ride. Even after letting it settle putting him in his cage was a struggle avoiding 2 strikes, nippy little guy. I'm gonna give him the full 2 weeks to settle before handling, other than having to move him for feeding mid next week. Hopefully he will come to realize I mean no harm and there is no reason to be scared.
Anyone have an experience like mine when first receiving you new bp?
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Buck_99
Moderator
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 1307
Location: Midlothian, VA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: So I got my ball today |
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| bullshingle wrote: | | Anyone have an experience like mine when first receiving you new bp? |
Yes. I received a female pastel that didn't take too kindly to the trip and registered her opinion about that by nipping my daughter's thumb, the cat's nose, and narrowly missing my own hand. We left her alone and she settled in just fine. She's coming up on 2 years old, and she's a little bit more nervous than some of my others, so to keep her stress level down I generally leave her alone, i.e., she's not my first choice for handling. When I do take her out, she never strikes.
I wouldn't worry about it. Leaving your new little guy alone for a few weeks is the right play.
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bullshingle
Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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What should I do if he puts up a fight mid next week when it's feeding time and I need to move him into a different enclosure?
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ryancbj22
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Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 698
Location: Columbus Ohio
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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Why not just feed him in the container he's in?
A lot of us used to feed in separate containers, but have all switched to feeding in there enclosures.
It won't change there attitude or striking frequency. I would just feed in the enclosure that way your not disturbing it any....
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bullshingle
Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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| ryancbj22 wrote: | Why not just feed him in the container he's in?
A lot of us used to feed in separate containers, but have all switched to feeding in there enclosures.
It won't change there attitude or striking frequency. I would just feed in the enclosure that way your not disturbing it any.... |
I've just heard that it's best to feed in a seperate enclosure because the do tend to mistake your hand for prey???? I'm not sure what's best now 
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ryancbj22
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Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 698
Location: Columbus Ohio
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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Trust me I used to think the same thing. I have been feeding in the same container for over a year now, and have had no problems what so ever.
I would say 95% of the people on here feed in the same container. Most of us do it for conveince factor, because with the amount of snakes we had it would take two days to feed that way.
I have a corn snake that I feed in a separate container, and thats because I don't want an impaction with her because she's so small, but thats just me worrying I could still feed her with no problems i'm sure.
Trust me you won't see a difference if you feed in a separate container. I'm sure others will tell you the same... 
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bullshingle
Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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I read Ron's blog about feeding in separate containers, does the rolled up newspaper trick really work he's in a strike position thinking foods coming, to just tap him on the head?
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ryancbj22
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Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 698
Location: Columbus Ohio
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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I've never tried it. I would say if Ron posted it then it's probably pretty reliable information....
I've had ones that are snippy like that eventually they quit. I just do my best to ignore it..... 
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bullshingle
Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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I'm just worried with little kids around the house that are fasinated with him and can't wait to hold him. Hopefully the only reason he was striking was because of the stress from the ride.
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ryancbj22
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Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 698
Location: Columbus Ohio
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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He will just like Buck said after a while and a little handling and time it should go away. There all a little nippy at first they may not strike, but they are nervous for a while.
It'll pass with time....
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snakesRkewl
Joined: 20 Jun 2008
Posts: 890
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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| bullshingle wrote: | | I'm just worried with little kids around the house that are fasinated with him and can't wait to hold him. Hopefully the only reason he was striking was because of the stress from the ride. |
Congrats on your lil one 
Hopefully your lil ones don't get snake happy behind your back, bad visions, sorry..
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bullshingle
Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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| snakesRkewl wrote: | | bullshingle wrote: | | I'm just worried with little kids around the house that are fasinated with him and can't wait to hold him. Hopefully the only reason he was striking was because of the stress from the ride. |
Congrats on your lil one
Hopefully your lil ones don't get snake happy behind your back, bad visions, sorry.. |
Yes, thank you  I got some pretty tight locks on there that they wouldn't be able to get off.
Is there a difference between nippy and striking? When I said nippy I meant strikes, lol.
He was last feed Wednesday night before shipping, should I wait all the way until next Wednesday or should I try to offer before that? Do they give any kind of sign that their hungry?
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ryancbj22
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Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 698
Location: Columbus Ohio
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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I would wait a week from the time he was fed last....
No difference it's pretty much the same. If theres one thing i've learned is that all bp's are different. Some of the hatchlings are real shy, and will strike when you try to do anything. Some are as relaxed as can be.
I have some that will ball up when I handle them and some that won't stop moving the entire time i'm holding them. It just takes some time for them to get comforatable where there at.
Thats why it's important to leave them alone for a week or two.
I would just place an appropiate sized mouse or rat in there when it's time to feed and go from there.
Do you have your setup in order? Are the temps and everything correct, and the thermostat set where you want it???
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bullshingle
Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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| ryancbj22 wrote: | I would wait a week from the time he was fed last....
No difference it's pretty much the same. If theres one thing i've learned is that all bp's are different. Some of the hatchlings are real shy, and will strike when you try to do anything. Some are as relaxed as can be.
I have some that will ball up when I handle them and some that won't stop moving the entire time i'm holding them. It just takes some time for them to get comforatable where there at.
Thats why it's important to leave them alone for a week or two.
I would just place an appropiate sized mouse or rat in there when it's time to feed and go from there.
Do you have your setup in order? Are the temps and everything correct, and the thermostat set where you want it??? |
Yes,
Cool Side: 80 Degrees
Hot side: 86-88 Degrees
Hottest spot is 90 Degrees
Humidity, is 50-53%
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