handling question

about how long can you keep your BP out?

wow I think there are a lot of factors at work here - how old? Personality? When was the last time they ate etc. I've kept my buddy out for 30 - 45 minutes at one time but I'm not sure of the standard or anything. :) I've read of people watching a movie with their snakes so I'm assuming you can keep your snake out for an hour or so but again it depends on how old, or rather how easliy stressed the snake is .. If it starts to get stressed, best just to put them back home. :)

Yeah, I've heard of people taking their ball pythons out for a while.... I'm no expert, but it's my understanding that you want to work your snake into it... What i mean by that is, you want to slowly take it out for longer and longer periods of time.

I hope that helps.

Here is a good comparison.

I have had Jojo for around 2 years and he can stay out of his cage for a very long time. Basicly with Jojo i put him up when i am tired not him LOL.

I have a baby ball python , Coconut, and i only handle him for around 15 minutes at at time and usually at night but have started to handle him during the day.

How can you tell when you have stressed out your BP from too much handling, like when to put him back?

Its hard to tell. But their breathing gets really labored. they stop flicking thier toung and they may take bluff strikes at you or whoever may be near. And sometimes they go into that clasic "ball".

Ball Pythons are by far the most inquisitive snakes. They want to know who EVERYONE is and they want to know what EVERYTHING is. If I am handling my snakes and lets say my wife walks by they reach out and start flicking that toung trying to locate that smell.

We put Bob away when he really starts trying to find somewhere to hide.

as does Icculus - I know it's time for him to go home when he's done being curious about me... but is very urgently trying to find a hide.. be it behind my bed or whatever :)