How much/often do you handle hatchlings?

So... first clutch is about a month out of the egg. Ten days ago 7 of 9 ate, last weekend 9 of 9 ate their mouse hoppers.

I've been giving them very minimal handling, the most time they've had in hand so far is when I clean the tubs, maybe five minutes tops. Otherwise I'm leaving them alone except to refresh water or mist the tub as needed. I figure it was more important to get them feeding than to fool with them just because... well... they're cute. :D

But, I had two calls over the weekend from people wanting to buy the normals as pets. Obviously they need a few more meals before going to their new homes, but I'd also like to get them used to being handled, and a bit less nippy/defensive, before they leave. So, do I wait for them to take another meal or so, or can I start now with just holding each one briefly so they start learning that the big Godzilla-monster won't eat them?

I've bought a few hatchling and were probably the nastiest most meanest things on the face of the planet lol, but I held them a couple times everyday for a few mins and now they are pretty docile. If you keep up handling them then they should be calmer in a week or so. You can mess around with them in the week next, feed them, then give them to their new owners. Best of both worlds I guess lol


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Go ahead and handle them. You've already gotten past the first feeding which is the hardest part. After that they always seem hungry so I don't think handling here and there will matter...if they act nippy it's most likely due to being hungry and not defensive...