Handling

[Ninefinger]

How often can you or should you handle a young ball python :?:
I hear read alot about stressing a snake also.
How can you tell a snake is stressed :?:

[Shelby]

I'd say at first you should handle a young BP for short sessions daily or every few days so it can get used to you. If it just rolls up in a ball and hides, make your sessions short, until it gets more curious, then you shouldn't have to worry.

[Ninefinger]

She doesn't seem to mind me holdng her daily, I just did not want to over do it on my part for my enjoyment

[Shelby]

Well, I wouldn't worry then. Just don't handle for 48 hours after she's eaten.

[Ninefinger]

Thanks again Shelby.

[Ginevive]

It's almost like a psychic sense you develop after handling snakes for a long time; you can feel when they want to go back into their cages. My ball pythons are usually god for a half hour or so. Then there's my boa who Never wants to go back into his cage! In that case, it's just as long as I feel like holding him and corraling him from getting lost under the couch.

[sk8er4life]

man, i wanna a boa!

[Super_Smash]

my snakes are the complete opposite from each other.. Apollo hates me and never wants to come out, but Pandora is like "GET ME OUT NOW!!!" she'll explore for an hour if she can, trying to find my mice and eat them

[Schlyne]

Issa has been extremely active in the last three days. I'm not exactly sure why. I wonder how much of it has to do with that fact that he shares the room wtih 2 crested geckos.

[Shelby]

Then there's my boa who Never wants to go back into his cage!

Yes, I think most boas are like this. It sure can be hard to stuff them back in their cage!