How much handling is too much handling?

[awolter]

Hello, all...I am basically a newb when it comes to BPs, and this forum has been invaluable to me so far, so if I may bend your ear for a moment...

My BP is about 13 weeks old. He had his sixth feeding last Sunday...I started handling him pretty frequently on Tuesday, and I'm just looking for any opinions on whether or not I'm overdoing the handling.

For the first week after I adopted him, there was no handling and very little hassling. He went into a hide after about 20 minutes in his new tank and started camping out. He had been on an every-five-days feeding schedule, and I tried to keep that schedule. So the "hassling" he was subjected to was just feeding attempts (he's fed in his regular tank). At day 5, I offered him a f/t he was not into...I just put it out for him, properly thawed and heated, animated it a bit with the tongs...he just didn't care. Sniffed at it and went back to his hide. I didn't want to stress him so I left him completely alone on day six. On day seven I tried feeding again, he smashed a relatively large (for him) small mouse after about 10 seconds of deliberation. Days 8-10 I left him be to relax and digest, as per the breeders instructions. That brings me to this week.

The last few days, I've been getting home around midnight (all the interactions/feedings thus far have been right about midnight) and pulling him out of his hide to handle him for a half an hour or so. He's just fascinating...don't have to tell you guys that, though! During handling he seems very relaxed/comfortable. I'll keep a hand on him and let him crawl up around me but he usually just likes hanging out in hand, loosely wrapped around a wrist or something. He never coils or balls up, he's not very jumpy at all; he doesn't try to hide or escape. So, I have no reason to suspect he's "stressed" by the handling, but I'm also no expert. Is there a general rule about handling? Or can I handle as much as I want, so long as the snake isn't stressed out? And if he stressed, what should I be looking for--naturally, I'd assume any kind of defensive coiling or avoidance would indicate stress, but is there anything more subtle I should watch for? He makes no effort to "get away" or avoid being handled when I turn his hide over to get him out.

Any input is appreciated!

[SDA]

Well every day is not good because they need to eat and digest, they need to shed, and they need to poop. Ball pythons do not like to be handled during these times.

Ball pythons do not like to be coddled for hours at a time.

A conservative amount would be 1-2 times a week out of shed and not for a day or two after eating and never longer than 15-30 minutes at a time.

Pretty much letting your snake chill for 2 days after eating and not touching while in shed is at least you can do to give them some peace. Any other time is up to you but ball pythons don't need handling.

[Godzilla78]

In my opinion, you are doing great. Giving plenty of space, and paying attention to behavior during handling. Just avoid handling after they eat, or while they are in shed.

Some really seem like they want to come out and interact, though it is probably the exception to the average ball. You are doing fine.

[Craiga 01453]

I've found this varies animal to animal. I've had some that tolerate handling better than others. Some are fine out almost every day besides the obvious days off for digestion, shed, etc... I've also had some that generally don't like being handled more than once in a while. As for time of handling sessions, again, this varies but I generally let the snake dictate how long. You'll start to learn their body language and be able to tell when they want to be left alone and when they are ready to be put back in their enclosure.

With young snakes, I stick to twice a week told for no more than 20-30 minutes and increase frequency as well as time out depending on the particular snake.

[awolter]

I feel pretty confident assuming that coiling/balling up, making an effort to get away from me, striking at me would be clear signs of stress...right?...but is there anything else I should watch out for? In general I'll slow it down just so as not to overwhelm the little guy but are there any more subtle things you experienced owners might be able to clue me in to? Subtle signs of agitation? Or, conversely, how do you tell when a snake feels comfortable? Thanks for all the input!

[elleon]

My guy will start to look for hiding places when he's had enough. Dark wrinkles in my hoodie or the dark crevices where my legs meet the seat. When he's relaxed, he'll move pretty slowly and just seem really casual, whereas when he's stressed he'll move quickly to run away.

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[Squirtle44]

Although not super applicable to your current exact situation - I have found it not only varies quite a bit by individual animal - but it also varies a ton by species.

In my experience - boa's can be handled for ~5x as long as bp's in general before getting skiddish or visually uncomfortable.

But it definitely does depend on the individual animal most of all.

[Craiga 01453]

When relaxed and comfortable a BP will make slow, calculated movements, their tongue will flicker at a slow, casual pace and their breathing will be slow and steady.

A BP that is stressed or not wanting to be handled will make quicker, more erratic movements with quicker tongue flicks and more noticeable breathing.

It may take you a little time to learn the differences, so keeping the handling sessions shorter and less frequent will be better for both of you when the snake is young and you are still lerning.

Also, as mentioned above, once the snake is making an effort to find somewhere to hide, it's usually a good indicator that they are ready to be put away.