Question on proper handling when bringing home a new snake

Ok first I have looked at all the pinned posts and didn't find an answer. Lol

what is the PROPER amount of time, when you bring home a new snake, before handling?

Most say a week. Is this correct! Because recently I have been seeing a few people say three feedings before handling.

Which is correct? Is there a correct!

I just dont want mis information out there if one or the other is wrong.

Thanks!

I've been wondering the same thing!!

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When I started doing my research for my first guy everywhere I read said two weeks. I personally have gone off of two successful feedings (which is two weeks if all goes well lol)

I think it all mainly depends on the animal, some will be fine with just a week, some will need more. That's why I like the 2 or 3 successful feeding more then just general time. If your animal has eaten a few times you know you're doing something right and it's settling in okay but if it hasn't eaten in the two week you've had it I still wouldn't handle just yet sense it obviously hasn't settled it well enough yet.

I hope that made sense lol. My thoughts run together a bit sometimes. Anyways that's my thought on it at least, in curious to see what others think

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Personally, I like to wait until the snake has had three successful meals. It's to be sure that the snake is fully settled in and is feeling comfortable. Two to three weeks is ideal- never do less than one week IMO.

Waiting to handle a new snake is definitely hard but if you think about how you will have your new pet for 20 years or more- the wait doesn't seem so bad ;)

If I get a snake in the mail I for sure wait for a week or so to let it calm down. But if I get it locally and they just hand it off to me I think you can handle it right away.

The general rule of thumb is at least one week.

I personally wait for three consecutive successful feedings without refusal. It's about the animal and I figure it's worth the wait. The primary reason I choose to wait is that getting a new snake feeling comfortable, safe and secure (along with proper husbandry) is the most important part of getting the snake eating regularly. It's not uncommon for snakes to eat the first offering, but oftentimes it's defensive. I like to take my time. Thinking big picture, a few weeks is a very short time frame when thinking about the life span of the animal.

Now is this a written-in-stone rule? No. But it worked for me years ago and has worked for me since getting back into keeping snakes.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Ok first I have looked at all the pinned posts and didn't find an answer. Lol

what is the PROPER amount of time, when you bring home a new snake, before handling?

Most say a week. Is this correct! Because recently I have been seeing a few people say three feedings before handling.

Which is correct? Is there a correct!

I just dont want mis information out there if one or the other is wrong.

Thanks!

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Generally I recommend not handling until the snake is feeding. Be it a week or two or more. Once they have eaten give them a few days to digest and then handling is ok

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I waited three feedings which only took 15 days. She's a great eater. But I did handle 2 days after the first feeding to weigh her.

nothing in this hobby is Bible (well, except maybe thermostats). it's good to make sure your new snake is eating consistently, but i think the three successful feedings "rule" helps new owners focus on the snake's needs first instead of their own wants.

i handled Coffee Bean two days after i got her and moved her into a completely different set up, and she ate that night. this has more to do with my ability to read my animals and my experience.

honestly you can handle the snake however soon you please, but there's a history of new owners running into issues doing so (as documented on many forums), so sometimes it's best to help new owners by offering experience in the form of a "rule" which is more of a guideline anyhow.

Ok. I don't want to be giving wrong info if I'm educating customers at work. I have been saying at least a week. I'm still really confused because when I joined in may it was always a week and now I'm seeing three feedings.

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