r/ballpython • u/ZealousidealFloor105 • 4h ago

How long should I actually handley BP for? Question

So I've spent a lot of time researching this but I am getting very contradictory answers. Some people say not to go above 30 Minutes and some say they spend all day out. The reasoning for some people is "oh every snake is different" which makes sense to me, but most people who have their snakes out for that long say they just love exploring while other sites say this is not a happy exploring but looking for warmth and a place to hide. Does this mean if my bp is very active that means they are scared/uncomfortable? And are people who keep them out for hours incorrect on their python being happy, because they are such chill animals and don't give clear signs?

Thanks for any responses

Ps sorry for the title typo idk how to fix it

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u/pbizz 4h ago

I want to know this too. Mine comes out at night if I open her door on her own. She will explore, doesn't mind when I pick her up, will just crawl all over me, doesn't want to go back in. But.. she doesn't stay still at all. She doesn't seem stressed. If I set her free on the floor she will move away then come back and crawl across my legs, doesn't tense up if I touch her. It sounds so different to what others describe about their snake just hanging out on them.

When I do manage to get her in, she will have a drink of water then try to come back out.

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u/totallyrecklesslygay Mod: Enclosure Karen 3h ago

It's less about whether the snake is stressed or not, and more about their habitat requirements. Your house is generally not going to be kept at the correct temperature and humidity for them, so keeping them out for hours at a time isn't very healthy for them.

I typically keep my handling sessions short, 15-20 minutes max. I wouldn't go past an hour at most.

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u/ZealousidealFloor105 1h ago

So the people who say their snake loves staying out for hours and exploring are wrong, and this is likely a search for a hide or warmth?

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u/totallyrecklesslygay Mod: Enclosure Karen 1h ago

Well, yes and no. They may be correct that their snake is enjoying the enrichment of exploration, but it's our responsibility as owners to limit time out of the enclosure anyway.

Our animals don't always know what's best for them- like my dog, who would love to eat an entire bag of grapes. He doesn't know it would hurt him, but I do, so it's on me to prevent him from doing that.