How to Handle a Ball Python

Ball pythons can become stressed fairly quickly if they are not allowed to acclimate to their new surroundings.
Allowing your new snake to settle in for a week or more is a good idea.
Refrain from interacting with your new pet during this adjustment period.
Once your snake has begun to feed on a regular basis, you can then begin to handle it for a few minutes each day.
Before and after handling your snake, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Washing before handling your snake prevents you from transmitting anything harmful to your snake, and it also removes any scents from your hands that may elicit a bite from your snake.
Washing after handling your snake prevents the potential transmission of any germs your snake may have to you.
Many times, when ball pythons are handled too much, they will refuse to eat.
As long as your ball python continues to feed on its regular schedule, except when it is shedding, you can gradually increase the amount of time that you spend handling your snake.
While handling your ball python, it is important to support the entire body of the snake and to be gentle.
Refrain from "petting" or touching your ball python's head.
They do not like having their heads touched.
Also, be respectful of others; not everyone may share your enthusiasm for reptiles.
If your friends or family members do not like snakes, do not insist that they hold or touch your pet.
Let them decide for themselves when they are ready to interact with your snake.
Do not take your snake into public areas, such as a mall or park, where there are lots of people.
Many people are still deathly afraid of snakes, and as irrational as it may sound to a person who likes reptiles, those who have an exaggerated fear of snakes may, upon unexpectedly seeing your snake, have such an extreme reaction that they require immediate medical care.
Taking your snake out into places like this is not in the best interest of your snake, nor in the best interest of others.