Brand New BP Owner Question about Handling Snake for the 2nd Time.

About 10 days ago, I purchased an 18" BP for my 5 yr old grandson. Other than us holding the snake for 5-10 minutes on day 7, it has not been handled other than to be transferred to it's new enclosure, and into it's feeding tub for his/her first meal & cage cleaning. I've waited until this evening because I am home alone, the house is quiet etc. His day time light goes off in about an hour and then his red light bulb for night time viewing goes on. He typically comes out of his hide after red bulb has been on for about an hour and explores the cage, goes for a dip in his water bowl. He finished his first shed (other than two 1/2 in to 3/4 in spots on his back) 2 days ago.
I would love it if eventually he adjusts to being handled on a regular basis. If he actually enjoyed it...bonus! If I handle him this evening for about 15-20 minutes and do so again say, maybe every other day and increase the time by 5 minutes each time...is it ok to work upwards of an hour too much? That is if he's not going into shed, it's been several days since he ate etc. It's important to me to be as prepared as possible and to do right by the snake. I don't want to do anything to harm or scare him, and I'm prepared mentally (at least I keep telling myself that I am....lol!) to be bitten. I have 4 tattoos and if I can live through that...I better be able to handle a bite. Also, I've handled other peoples snakes before.
I believe it is best to go to the source to have questions answered and nothing against the big retailers...but I'd rather get my info from those that are practicing what they love to do. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
NaNa

Well BP's will never enjoy being handled, but most will tolerate it.

An hour seems like a bit much, but as long as he is still eating and shedding properly then I don't see any issues. You need to keep an eye out for signs of stress (bad sheds, overly active during the day, not eating, etc.) If you start seeing these signs then you know that you are handling him too much. Other than that starting with short sessions and then progressively longer sessions sounds like a good plan. I would start tonight with a 10 -15 minute session instead of a 15-20 minute session.

The better your husbandry is the more likely that he will adjust to being handled.

Thank you for your advice. I did take him out this evening, and it was for about ten minutes. I could tell it was stressful on him...when stroked lightly on his back...he pulls his muscles away from the area where he was being stroked. He basically laid in my lap for about ten minutes in a little ball until he decided to try and make a run for it. I got nervous and scooped him up into a clean blanket until he got calmed down. Then I put him back into his enclosure and he's hiding again...lol. Thanks for the info and I agree that 10-15 minutes was plenty for him this time around. Everyone on here is so helpful and friendly.

When handling I personally would not "stroke" the animal. I would just let it crawl in your hands or wherever else you are holding it. Keep the sessions short.

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Originally Posted by BallLuvinNaNa

into it's feeding tub for his/her first meal

I'm prepared mentally (at least I keep telling myself that I am....lol!) to be bitten. I have 4 tattoos and if I can live through that...I better be able to handle a bite.

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I wouldn't even put him into a separate tub/enclosure for feeding, it's not necessary IMO. It won't cause cage aggression and your bp will probably feel more secure if you just feed him where he's most comfortable.

And no worries about baby bp bites, they're not bad at all! It's just a little shock once it happens (though it may never happen, depends on the snake and the situation), but I think it hurts less than a paper cut.

Congrats on the new little one

When I was a kid it wouldn't be unusual for me to have a snake out for 2-3 hours at a time. Reading these animals and the signs they show when stressed is key. You can't say, "ok, 15 minutes today, 20 minutes tomorrow", etc, etc. One day you could go hours without your snake showing any signs of stress, the next it may only take 10 seconds before they've obviously had enough. Just play it by ear.

We have a fairly new baby BP- I guess we've had her 2-3 months now. In the beginning, we let her pretty much be, between feedings, except for daily husbandry. Now, I give her a couple days to digest. and then we try to get her out for 5-10 min. a day. Sometimes its longer. Some days not at all. I find it very "meditative" :) Its strange, but its some how peaceful to me, just to spend that quiet time with her, and let her slither in and out of my hands. Some times she just settles down, other times she's curious to explore.

I would just say give it time- no need to rush. I may be nuts, but it feels like they will bond & trust you more if you dont over do it. Of course, since Im new to the snake world, the experts will tell me i AM crazy lol

Enjoy!

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Originally Posted by BallLuvinNaNa

.when stroked lightly on his back...he pulls his muscles away from the area where he was being stroked.

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This is very typical behavior. They pretty much all do this. I will use this method if I want to get my BP to uncoil; say if he's grabbed around your wrist and you want to put him back in his enclosure. I'll just lightly stroke him along his back and he sort of "arches" and curls away. I think it's probably a bit less stressful than grasping him by the tail and unwrapping him manually.

I also have to agree, having been bitten by an 18" BP, that it hurts less than a paper cut. I would equate it to one of those blood test lances that the doctors use to prick your finger. A tiny sting, a little drop of blood, and five minutes later you can't even tell where it happened.

A bite from a full grown BP on the other hand can hurt more, depending on how deep they get their teeth and how long they decide to hold on.