BP handling

BPs are pets.

30 minutes is a good handling session. You should do 30 minute sessions at least 3 times per week.


Leaving the animal alone for extended periods of time will not calm it down, it will do nothing. BPs dont get tamer if you do not handle them. Do not care about getting bit. If you get punctured, forget about it and keep on with your routine.

Leaving them alone for 3 days makes sense, sometimes.

EDIT: do not handle them daily, do not handle them several times per day, they can get stressed and stress will impact their health. I say 30 minutes+, 3 times a week, meaning 3 big sessions per week, is nice. Leave it alone for the rest of the week, consistently.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ronin

Yep it sure did help! In fact when we go into reach for her she doesn't even really ball up anymore. When she is out she is either trying to explore everywhere or hangs around my neck or arm giving me a nice massage:D. Speaking of massages, why do they do that?

---

Far as I know and from my own experience this massage is the result of a snake who is merely trying to hold on tightly to it's perch/branch i.e. ur hand/arm. When I first brought my baby home she would do this with EVERY handling and I loved it! I was afraid of snakes when I bought her so I was very slow and deliberate while handling her. Accompany the slow and steady state of mind with mini hand massages and you have a brand new therapy! haha

I digress, my best guess is she just wasn't used to being held or picked up and being that high off the ground made her nervous enough to keep a tight grip as she worked her way around my hands and wrists. She doesn't do it anymore :( and I miss it, but spending time w/her will always be therapeutic! I'd like to hear what others think of this. I'm new to BPs so there could be more too it and I wouldn't know.

Snakes do not like to fall, if they squeeze your arm or leg really hard then they just want to have a grip to avoid falling. Squeezing your arm or leg is not hostile, just accept it. It will not harm you, not even when one of your hands goes numb. Blood stream can be interrupted to a limb for extended periods of time without consequence, just dont allow a constricting snake to go around your neck.

I just recently watched some videos about handling green anacondas, being aquatic snakes these really hold on firmly when they are up in the air. Hands really go from normal color to white or red as they hold on. Even the most peaceful anaconda that will never bite you or try to hurt you will squeeze really hard when you handle it.

If they squeeze you, just let them, consider it a hug, its normal, they do not want to fall and when you handle them they feel like being in a big tree, up in the air.

Anyway, BPs are sensitive to stress, dont disturb them too often. 3 extended handling sessions per week are totally fine and if done correctly will make the snake super tame, but in between a BP wants to be left alone.

I handle mine every other day or when I'm cleaning the enclosure out. I've noticed my BP rather stay out on my hand then go back in the tub after handling so It must enjoy it.

Sent from my N861 using Tapatalk 4 Beta