Do they like to be handled

I don't mind getting him out to clean his house, but I am still a little freaked out when it comes to just holding him. Do they enjoy being held? Is it something they benefit from? He is very docile and seems to not mind being held for short periods. Is it wrong that I don't get him out and just hold him more than a couple times a week, for a few minutes?

I don't believe they get any real benefit from it, it's not like they seem to be an emotional animal that likes to be held and cuddled and loved. :P it's always handy to have him out and used to being handled, easier to deal with than a snake who is shy and flighty or aggressive. I don't hold all my snakes all that often, but I do take them out at least once a week for a few minutes and that works for all of us! But I recently had a different view on taking them out open up to me: it's good exercise. Holding on to your arm and allowing them the flex to hold on and getting them out and moving around after a few days of just sitting in their hides, seems like a good idea to me! :)


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Depends on the snake, like any animal. But in my experience, once they get used to it, they seem to enjoy being held.
As for how often, that's really up to you. You shouldn't hold him the day of or the day after feeding, but otherwise its up to what you feel comfortable with. If you're still nervous about handling, then two times a week for a brief period is great. It gives both of you time to get used to each other. :)

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Originally Posted by jimmysmom

I don't mind getting him out to clean his house, but I am still a little freaked out when it comes to just holding him. Do they enjoy being held? Is it something they benefit from? He is very docile and seems to not mind being held for short periods. Is it wrong that I don't get him out and just hold him more than a couple times a week, for a few minutes?

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No, it's not wrong to only handle him a little bit. Some snakes tolerate handling better than others. I have a few that very obviously don't like to be handled - at all - so they only time they get touched is when the enclosure needs cleaning. Others will pop out of the tub or enclosure and start crawling up my arm, or in the case of one retic female, over one shoulder and into my hair.

I believe that BPs or snakes in general tolerate being handled. They don't exactly like it but they tolerate it. That is my theory. When they are handled regularly they often become more tame and docile. But if yours shows no sign of aggression then there is nothing to worry about when it comes to handling. I know people that hold there snakes every day, I personally don't maybe about every 3 days, so a couple mins for a couple days is perfectly fine.

i would say that it's up to the owner for that answer..If he was purchased for the PET life, WHY NOT but if he was purchased for the HOBBY type then try to stand clear of handling..

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Originally Posted by ECechoHO

i would say that it's up to the owner for that answer..If he was purchased for the PET life, WHY NOT but if he was purchased for the HOBBY type then try to stand clear of handling..

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Errrrrrrrrrrrr, no. Even if a critter doesn't like to be handled, the keeper should still try to acclimate the critter to it for a variety of reasons, including visits to the vet, or placing it more easily if it has to be rehomed.

Some of mine do, some tolerate it and others don't want anything to do with people. :gj:

I try to handle my brood at least a few days a week for at least a few minutes at a time. They just tolerate it, and don't get any benefit towards it, but it might be just enough handling to keep my track record of being bit slightly smaller!

Now when its feeding day, I never attempt to handle, especially when it gets closer to the evening and they all come out hungry...

But I handle them all, whether its a pet, or for the hobby, just so they can get used to it.

I do think my Kings like it. I'll have them out daily for 10 or 15 min at a time outside of the 48 hour digestion period.
There is some "running" at first, then, they just settle down and hang out in my hand. I'm usually reading stuff on-line or watching a video at the same time.

Then again, maybe they just enjoy the heat from the desk light.