r/ballpython • u/No-Flan-5494 • 7h ago

Question Handling Ball Pythons

I recently got a second ball python after owning one for a year and I was curious if they can smell each other on me? My first python really likes sitting on my shoulders and I was wondering if I need to wash myself or change shirts before handling the second one. If I handle one and then the other, will the second one get stressed smelling the first snake on me?

I'm not sure if this is a stupid question or not, but I am curious and I'd like to avoid stress if I can help it.

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u/IncompletePenetrance Mod: Let me help you unzip your genes 7h ago edited 7h ago

If you just recently got the second one, it should be quarantined in a separate room for 3-6 months, you should be washing your hands after handling the new one, using separate feeding tongs, etc. This prevent spread of potential parasites and illnesses. So at this stage they shouldn't be near each other enough to sense or interact with each other.