Snake bacteria

i think it is also a good idea to not only wash your hands after handling your reptile, but also BEFORE you handle it. you don't want to cause it to come in contact with unneccesary germs and bacteria that is on your hands. it also washes off the scent from other animals you may have. a friend of mine has a bp and it will absolutely not let her pick it up if she has handled her cat at all and not washed her hands first. its just a good all around general rule of thumb--wash before you handle and then again afterwards for the best conditions for the both of you.

I am a strong proponant of washing hands before ahndling the animal, if for no other reason than you may smell like food and end up tagged. Not fun

I've got a rule that if anyone handles either of my guys they are required to wash their hands before and after. Straight from the sink to the herps and then back to the sink. I'm not one to take any chances with either of my guys, or any of my family/friends.

If I had more than one I would be much more strict about it but there is just the one so no chance of trnsferring bacteria from one herp to another

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i think it is also a good idea to not only wash your hands after handling your reptile, but also BEFORE you handle it

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Great point. I always do that, since in the mornings I am always handling rats due to the fact that I clean their cages and feed them in the AM before going to work. If I didn't wash my hands after that, and went to handle my boa, I would be in pain!
Seriously though, that is a really good point. Think of all the germs on our hands. Me having a really bad cold right now is testament to that!