Handling before feeding?

[shadow reaper]

I'm a new owner and I've got a question I'm not sure I've seen before. Is there an issue handling your snake before feeding?

I got my guy a little over a week ago. He came into the house Saturday and was happy and healthy. He explored, he hid, he explored some more. We heard he was being fed on Mondays, so Monday came around, held in the F/T and he hit it and ate within 5 minutes of trying to entice him. As it goes, we didn't handle him until Wednesday evening. First time handling was fine, he stayed mostly balled up, but didn't mind chilling in my hand. Quick 10 minutes, then put him back. Thursday, handled again, same deal, he even started to get a bit more explorey in my hands. Then, family came into town Friday for a wedding and we've been too busy to handle him.

So today is his feeding day, but I don't want to put off handling until Wednesday evening, so can I handle him this afternoon and then feed in the evening? I know it's a dumb question, but he's been such a dream so far, I don't want to screw it up!

[GoingPostal]

Yes you can handle on feeding day although I don't handle new additions at all until they have fed for me at least 3 times and settled in to keep the stress level low and get them on a good start. I'll have decades to handle them ideally so no rush.

[Oxylepy]

As long as you haven't started scenting things yet, you can handle.

[Eric Alan]

It depends on the animal. With most established animals, you're probably fine. There are some that seemingly refuse a meal if you even look at them wrong on feeding day. There are others that seem to know what day it is that I wouldn't trust putting anything inside their cage that you didn't want getting tagged. With time, you'll get to know their personality and learn for yourself what you can/can't do on feeding day.

In your situation, I'd resist your urge to handle him until (like GoingPostal said) he's eating reliably in your care. For me, that means 3-5 meals without a refusal. Best wishes to you on feeding day #2!

[shadow reaper]

Thanks for the advice everyone! He's about a year old and has been super friendly from the moment I met him, so I may still handle him this afternoon, but I'll play it by ear. I don't want to risk throwing off a good feeding routine, so I'm leaning toward not handling until Wednesday.

[Russdent]

Hello,

I am also new to keeping BP and have only had Mr Slithers for 5 days now, We had handled him on the first 2 days and I have told everyone (the kids) to leave him alone now until his first feeding day which is 2 days away so he will not have been handled for 5 days in total so I am hoping my first feed with him will go well. after reading all the feeding problems on here I think I am more nervous about his feeding than I was on my wedding day.

Is it OK if we handle him before feeding or is it best to leave him to settle and hopefully he will take his dinner no problem.

I am happy with the tank setup, Humidity and hides for him so fingers crossed all will go well.

[Neal]

Hello,

I am also new to keeping BP and have only had Mr Slithers for 5 days now, We had handled him on the first 2 days and I have told everyone (the kids) to leave him alone now until his first feeding day which is 2 days away so he will not have been handled for 5 days in total so I am hoping my first feed with him will go well. after reading all the feeding problems on here I think I am more nervous about his feeding than I was on my wedding day.

Is it OK if we handle him before feeding or is it best to leave him to settle and hopefully he will take his dinner no problem.

I am happy with the tank setup, Humidity and hides for him so fingers crossed all will go well.

With BP's I would typically wait until they get a few meals as a newcomer before you handle. This isn't a set rule but BP can be really finicky eaters.