How long do you wait before handling a new snake?

Just curious. :)

I just got mine and I'm giving it a week.

I say a week minimum

No handling until he eats his first meal for me!

A couple of good meals

I wait about a week and make sure he eats than i'll start handling him but I had one that took about just less than a month to eat so i made sure he had a few meals in him. I know it drive people nuts not to handle them but its better to make sure your snake is eating first.

I let them get a meal in, but I still keep handling to a bare minimum until they have 3-4 meals in them.

Even then, once settled and eating, I never overhandle any of the snakes. At most everyone might get 10-15 minutes every 5 days.

Bruce

The only thing I do is spot clean and water on the first week. Then I offer food on the second week and if it takes food I wait 24 hours and then I'll take them out for a little while. If it don't eat I wait another week.

It depends on the snake. some will tolerate handling and eat immediatly and some will stress and try to hide. you have to "read" the snake and judge. However it's a good idea to wait at least a week.

Richard

I wait until after their first meal (usually within the first couple of days) and then I keep handling to a minimum for the next couple of weeks.