:: Holding ::

What happens if you ahve gone for a few weeks without a real handling session?

i recently went out ot town for two weeks, during which the only contact nellie got was my friend looking in on her and changing her water. when i came back i scooped her up and she was the same as usual. no different from when i hold her every day for 5 days in a row.

I dont hold my snakes everyday , if they are in thier hides (which they usually are) then i wont bother them.But if they are out and about exploring ill take them out for a little bit (about 30 minutes)

All of my snakes get 2 or 3 true handlings a week. Not counting removal for husbandry issues.

I usually hold one snake per night, when we're lounging around watching TV. I rarely hold Bela though, because she really does not like being handled; not aggressive at all, but she is just super head shy. She's more of a future breeder project to me than anything else, and I don't want her stressing out over being petted. Goblin is my "handling, show-everyone-who-visits" snake, and does not mind being held at all. Ashes is the same, and Apache the boa is the active handling snake; he's all over the table, couch, chair, or person next to you. :)

If you stop handling them for long periods of time, they will need to reacclimate, whether they're visibly stressed about it or not. They can learn that you're not a predator, but they're not great scholars. ;)