Disturbing your snake

I was just curious as to if experienced herpers prefer to let their snakes decide when handling time is? (ie when they're already out and about) or is it okay to disturb your snake when they're hiding out? So far, I just let him decide unless it's been too long and I start to worry, or if I'm not willing to wait till 2 am to feed him.

Along similar lines... about how much sleep do snakes need? I know my cat and cockatiel need a lot more sleep than I do, and it *seems* like Falkor does too but I don't know how much actual sleeping he's doing in there. I know it's a silly question, but I was just wondering. Thanks :)

if i need to or i want to hold them i just lift their hide and pick em up, after a few secs they start explorin, as long as your not in an out every 5 mins messin with the hides its fine to pick them up and get out the lil guy, you may never see them otherwise lol.

if i want to handle or need to handle to clean or do cage maintenance, etc. i get the snake out regardless of whether it is out of its hides or not. from time to time i can just tell that the snake doesn't want to be out right then--maybe i did wake it up or whatever--but they will be extra squirmy and flighty. if that is the case i just put it back in its enclosure as soon as i am finished with any cleaning or whatever needs to be done. bev is right--if you let your snake dictate when they want to be handled you might never get to handle them. :P

I do most of my regular cage maintenance during the day so try to not disturb the snakes anymore than I have to or just be quick about it and let them get back to their regular rest time.


Handling we try to do mostly in the evening when the snakes are most likely to be up and about anyways, even if they are just chilling in their hides. I usually just pick up the hide, give the snake a moment to realize I'm there, stroke them a couple of times along their spine then pick them up and out of the enclosure. After awhile of this routine, over and over, they are pretty good about recognizing it and don't seem to stress over it.

If they react poorly I just figure okay it's not the night this snake feels like coming out so generally just leave it be unless it's Brannagh who we are working with on her aggressiveness especially during removal and return to her tub. I have come to recognize that handling is really more for me and my pleasure at handling our snakes and the snakes mostly could care less so I try to respect their needs over mine as much as I can.


~~Jo~~

i followed jo's advice on removing dexter from his enclosure and it's really effective with him. i remove his hide and then gently stroke him 4 or 5 times. i give him a second to flick his tongue and show some 'awakedness'... and then i pick him up and enjoy him.

i decide when i want to hold him... don't really go on his schedule... - i just watch to see if he just doesn't seem to want to be out... i always gently put him back in his enclosure... letting him choose where to go by holding my hand an inch or two above his substrate.

;)
aleesha

I thought so. I kept thinking "Is Falkor just lazy? Or am I silly to always wait till he's doing his rounds?" Very cool :) The petting first trick will probably work better for the BP than the corn, because he tends to be spazzy, but I will definantly remember and utilize it! Thank you!

if your going to pick up a baby corn it is best to just pick it up, if you hesitate or hover your hand abouve it then the lil guy may decide your threatening and either run or defend himself. its best for baby corns to just be picked straight up before they decide if your as threat or not, dont give em time to think about it. once theyre on your hand they realise whats going on and get down to some happy exploring lol.

That's extremely helpful on picking up corns VS picking up BPs. Thank you, Bev! It's true, whenever I give him a moment he goes "GAH, it's gonna eat me!" and runs. But as soon as I have him in hand, he's fine. lol