Is it safe to hold your snake at night?

[marleylife23]

I'm a new owner of a ball python. He's 3 months and very active. I handle him daily, but only during the day. But I've noticed that he likes to be out at night as well. I've heard that it isn't a good idea to handle them at night, so I was hoping someone could shed some light on this for me. Is it ok to handle him at night? He's very spoiled by the way. He loves sleeping in my hand and just resting on me. Thanks in advance for the responses!

[ritche]

I haven't had mine long, but I handle her anytime she's not eating. they say not handle much before or after. I wait usually a little less than a day after feeding, I have read some give them 48 hrs. she has give me no problems she is like four maybe five months.

[sakura_noir]

I don't where you received that tidbit of advice, but I believe it's completely backward. Snakes are nocturnal creatures, so the evening is the time they are waking up and venturing out of their hides. As long as you aren't handling when he's digesting or in shed, you should be good to go.


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[kiiarah]

I think I would second the above responses. My little guy is about two months old and is more active in the evening. I have read that they are most active specifically at dusk and dawn. Perhaps the person you heard that from figured that since they would naturally be hunting at night they would be more prone to be in feeding mode and may strike, but I can say I have seen no sign that this is a concern so far. I figure just like any animal, they would prefer to interact when they are awake and alert than be woken up from a dead sleep. I haven't done much research in regards to handling during the day, but I have come across some threads that suggest gradually getting them used to being handled during daylight hours. The post I read seemed to indicate that daytime handling is not something they take to without adjustment time. I would be inclined to say that if your bp is out and active during the day there should be no harm in handling, but I certainly wouldn't disturb him during the day if he is resting.

[marleylife23]

Thank you guys for the detailed responses! I will definitely not handle him while he's resting, and yea I thought the information was pretty backwards too! Thanks so much!

[200xth]

You can handle him whenever you want as far as day/night go. Don't handle him right after feeding and you may want to leave him alone while he's in the shed process, but day/night doesn't matter during other times.

[marleylife23]

Thank you! I handled him last night and he didn't want to go back in his tank lol! He was just laying in the bed calm as can be!

[KMG]

I handle my bp whenever I want with the exception of feed day and the day after.

Now my gtp is a different story. During the day I can reach right in and pull him out. But when night falls he goes into night mode and anything and I mean anything that goes in his cage will get tagged.

[marleylife23]

We are going to an expo in December to purchase a gtp and a rtb! I can use any advice you guys have on these two as well lol! I just love snakes! Their patterns are beautiful!