handling

[dorado29]

im in a little dilemma.... i want a snake that is okay with being handled a lot (pretty much every day)... what types of snakes wont get angry or essentially affected at all if its handled a lot?

[Sunny1]

I am not that experienced with alot of different types of snakes, but here's my thought on your question. The amount of handling a snake will tolerate depends upon the snake itself. From reading many posts on here, some peoples snakes seem to tolerate handling a lot better than other people's. Some will tolerate being handling more often or for longer periods of time, some of them won't. My suggestion is to get a snake that you like, and gradually handle it more and more. I don't think that you are going to find a snake that is going to tolerate basically hanging around your neck 24/7, but if you work with a snake, you can gradually get it to a point where it will tolerate being handled, and may even tolerate being handled for a semi-extended period of time (not hours and hours upon end, but not just a few minutes here and there also). Keep in mind too, that baby snakes tend to be a bit more flight driven than slightly older snakes who may very easily settle into a regular handling routine and not be overly flighty. My two suggestions, from my own experience, would be balls and corns. Mine have been doing real well as far as handling, none are at a point where they will tolerate being handled for longs periods of time before they try to flee, but at the same time all of them are still babies, basically. I hope that this helps you out, maybe others with more experience in various types of snakes can help you out a little more!! Good luck!!

[JLC]

im in a little dilemma.... i want a snake that is okay with being handled a lot (pretty much every day)... what types of snakes wont get angry or essentially affected at all if its handled a lot?

Welcome to BP.net

I'm curious...why would you need to handle a snake that frequently?

Some of the hardier colubrids (such as a cornsnake) would probably be more tolerant of such handling. But they're not usually "lap snakes" either and are constantly moving so they need your undivided attention when you have them out. (Well, really, ANY snake should have your undivided attention while it's out...but some are at least more predictable in their movements.)

Anyhow...besides temperment issues....I'd also worry about temperature issues with some snakes. Ball pythons can get sick if exposed to cool temperatures for too long or too frequently or constantly fluctuating temps. (In and out of their enclosure every day) Most people keep their room temps far cooler than a ball python would find comfortable.....but cornsnakes can be kept at room temperature without risking illness.

[Jay_Bunny]

Corn snakes are pretty easy to handle on a daily basis but why you would need to is beyond me. My corn is in feeding mode as soon as she smells the hint of a mouse. All I have to do is open the freezer and she sticks her head out of her hiding place. So take that into consideration when going to handle a snake. Don't smell like food.

Our ball pythons are still babies so they don't really like us right now.

Overall, I think its on a snake by snake basis. Every snake is different, regardless of species. But I would personally go with a corn or king if you want to be able to handle it a lot.

[Brimstone111888]

I think a lot of you are mistaking need for want

[dorado29]

I think a lot of you are mistaking need for want

exactly.... i dont 'need' to handle it daily and if it would actually affect the snakes health then no way but i just think it would be a lot more fun to take it out a lot and hold.