How often do you handle your ball python?

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Originally Posted by Tony25

So you think no matter how often you handle that a snakes personality is a snakes personality if you handle onece a month or every day? Same % chance they would strike you?

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From my observations with my own collection, yes I do think that.

They are wild animals, when they are "off" can and will strike at you.

You'll learn to be able to read each of your animals and tell when they just prefer not to be bothered.

Makes me feel better that they would be just as tame. if i handle them 1 time every 2 weeks as compared to 5 days a week.

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Originally Posted by Jafis

The only days I don't handle my snakes is on feeding day and 2 days after that. When I do have them out it's for 10-15 minutes at a time.


Obviously when they are shedding I leave them alone.

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Yeah i agree with that. About 15 mins plus per day apart from shedding and eating times. My royal (bp) loves it!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Tony25

Makes me feel better that they would be just as tame. if i handle them 1 time every 2 weeks as compared to 5 days a week.

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Yup, in fact - bottom line - handling is for OUR pleasure - our snakes just tolerate it. They'd LOVE the 2 week break! LOL

I handle everyday except pre-shed, post-feed, etc. Usually, I try to only take him out if he's out or at least "on-duty" with his head hanging out of his hide.

Its really encouraging to hear about so many peope integrating the snakes into their lives. I think its really easy to get wrapped up in the "everything has to be just so for the snake" trip. I think alot of the really hardcore people really love their snakes but are more into the technical aspect of keeping them.

For one thing, any animal on this planet (especially land animals) has to have a reasonable tolerance to its environment or else it would simply go extinct. Your snake is not going to keel over if he's a few degrees off for a while - if ever.

Unless someone really doesn't bond well with animals, I would encourage them to rely mostly on their relationship with the snake to guide them. Any rules like "only handle them when X because of Y" are practically meaningless and, in fact, destructive. When I came home from the pet store (a snake store mind you) I had some good general advice and I was so happy with my snake. But, the more I read and the more I researched the more I became paranoid. Everybody has advice: "don't do this, don't do that. Perfectly identical hides. 95.6767 degrees." bah that's all way overkill and I think totally discourages people having an enjoyable pet. Its not to say that these things won't make your snake more comfortable but I think what happens is that there is this hidden implication that, if things aren't just so, horrible things will happen. That's just not true.

I don't handle my snake after eating because I can appreciate how I feel after stuffing myself. Also, I can tell when he's clearly taking the day off. Sometimes he's not that outgoing but I get him out anyway because he's my pet. It's just like having a cat. Sometimes they're into it, sometimes they'll chew your hand off if you don't leave them alone, and sometimes you go and pick them up and pet them even if they protest a bit.

I handle adults at least twice a week. My babies I handle everyday. I don't handle any of them on feeding day or 2-3 days after, depending on their personality. My movers I can't have out too long, about 20 minutes. But, I love my Mitch... I do household chores and whatnot with him just hangin out :D

As far as Kane pulling back in a jerky motion, that's only natural. Jerking back is how they react when they feel threatened. The more you handle him, the more used to your touch he will get. While you're resocializing him, go at his pace... nice slow gentle motions are best and when bringing a hand near him, approach from behind so he's not threatened.

It's all about rebuilding that trust. You guys will be back to normal in no time :D

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Originally Posted by bearhart

I handle everyday except pre-shed, post-feed, etc. Usually, I try to only take him out if he's out or at least "on-duty" with his head hanging out of his hide.

Its really encouraging to hear about so many peope integrating the snakes into their lives. I think its really easy to get wrapped up in the "everything has to be just so for the snake" trip. I think alot of the really hardcore people really love their snakes but are more into the technical aspect of keeping them.

For one thing, any animal on this planet (especially land animals) has to have a reasonable tolerance to its environment or else it would simply go extinct. Your snake is not going to keel over if he's a few degrees off for a while - if ever.

Unless someone really doesn't bond well with animals, I would encourage them to rely mostly on their relationship with the snake to guide them. Any rules like "only handle them when X because of Y" are practically meaningless and, in fact, destructive. When I came home from the pet store (a snake store mind you) I had some good general advice and I was so happy with my snake. But, the more I read and the more I researched the more I became paranoid. Everybody has advice: "don't do this, don't do that. Perfectly identical hides. 95.6767 degrees." bah that's all way overkill and I think totally discourages people having an enjoyable pet. Its not to say that these things won't make your snake more comfortable but I think what happens is that there is this hidden implication that, if things aren't just so, horrible things will happen. That's just not true.

I don't handle my snake after eating because I can appreciate how I feel after stuffing myself. Also, I can tell when he's clearly taking the day off. Sometimes he's not that outgoing but I get him out anyway because he's my pet. It's just like having a cat. Sometimes they're into it, sometimes they'll chew your hand off if you don't leave them alone, and sometimes you go and pick them up and pet them even if they protest a bit.

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Listen to bearhart. He knows what he's talking about :) I was paranoid and confused just like he said, but after following his advices my BPs doing GREAT :snake::snake::gj:

I'm in the snakeroom messing with them everyday. They get a break after a meal and during breeding season. After all that's why we have them

This is a good thread. It was originated by someone who's at the tail end of my story. My daughter just left for college and I've worked hard to handle the snake despite a serious fear. I'm glad I'm doing it! Otherwise in a year or two, when my daughter takes Dakota away, he might not be used to handling any more.

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Originally Posted by SirMontyPython

Monty loves it when we pet him. He even lifts his head so we can rub under his chin. He even comes up to our faces and flicks his tongue at our noses or lips. Then sometimes he rest his head on our noses. After that he ALWAYS goes for the glasses.

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Severus is the same. He will put his head between my fingers to get his chin and head rub. He has pulled off my glasses a couple of times and he rubs noses like an eskimo BP LOL. He watches TV with me nightly except for shed days and Monday's because he feeds every Sunday.

While we are hanging out on Sunday I thaw his rat and heat it in hot water. I dump the rat out of the plastic bag into the center of his feeding tub. He usually strikes and wraps up while he is still wrapped up on my hand. I put him in the tub until he finishes and then put him in his enclosure until Tuesday night.

I usually handle mine about 2 or 3 times a week. I go to school full time and work a lot so I don't get as much time with him as I want. But it's all good.:)

Well, it varies for the three of mine, but I handle my BP at least once a week when cleaning, and then I try to get in a second session on Fridays. My new ghost corn I handle more often since he really loves it...he even comes up the glass onto my hand when I take the top off. :) My Amel corn, however, is a challenge because he was raised by his breeder and was never really handled in that whole year. So I have a very flighty 14 month old.

I handle 4-5 times a week however not for very long each time. Probably about 5-10 minutes each time.

about every other day unless shes just eaten... and its never more than about 5-10 minutes.

All the time, except for about 40-48 hours after she eats. Mostly I handle her in the evening when she's up and about, but I'll also take her out during the day to have a few minutes with my kids. I'm working on gentling her as much as possible for a snake, including touching her head, because she's going to be around little ones for many years and I don't want any preventable bites. She's even nice on feeding day. :)

I generally handle my three snakes about 3-4 days out of every week for about 5-15 minutes each day. It all depends on the individual snake. For example I have one girl that doesn't seem to mind being held for long periods of time, and another that does well for short sessions but seemes ot stress if I keep her out for more than 10 minutes. Also, I find that mine are more active and less tense if I handle them at night.

I try to handle both of mine each day after work. But I really like mine alot. I dont handle them a day before feeding nor the day after feeding. I dont handle them while in blue/shedding just out of repect for their comfort. But otherwise theyre usually really cool with it and seem peeved when i ave to confine them back in their enclosures. Sometimes i only have them out for a few minutes sometimes we'll go out for the afternoon in the summer just walking on the beach. I have Mitch a 2 year old "male" and then theres Cleo a 24 inch "female". They haven't been sexed yet, but when Cleo looks to be breeding size i will get them sexed and attempt to breed them if they're not the same sex. If they are the same sex then i have to get a member of their opposite :) that would put me at three snakes and officially make me a "wierdo" to most of my friends and family, :rolleye2: what can i say i love snakes, and most of all BPs

well, I've only had Goliath a few weeks, but after his initial settle in period I've tried to handle him everyday for at least 15-20 min at a time and thats usually when my two little kids are taking a nap or late at night when everyone is in bed and I should be sleeping too :rolleye2:. My corns, I handle about twice a week. Its all good though and I'm glad that they do not demand or need attention like a dog or cat would. :D

I let my BP Lucy tell me when she wants to be handled. Sometimes when I come in the room she stays in her hide and I just let her be. But usually when I enter the room she comes right up to the front of her enclosure and won't take her eyes off me until I take her out. This snake LOVES to be held. She hates it when I put her back sometimes. She would clearly rather be held most of the time.

Before I knew what the heck I was doing I handled her for about an hour one night, and the next morning there was her shed skin right where I set her down. I felt like a prize idiot, and thought I had learned to be a little more in tune with my snakes. But then a few days later the same thing happened with my corn snake. I must have the most understanding snakes in the world.

Now that I look back on it Lucy was actually trying to start her shed on my hands. I just thought she was cuddling!!!

I handle my ball python on average 3 times a month.
I try and handle him 2-3 times a week, but if I handle him more then that he usually stops eating on me.

I detest the shed process..I hate waiting to handle them :/

I have to tell you...I'm afraid of snakes...but, I still handle Dakota several times a week - except 2 days after feeding. I'm always amazed at how docile he really is and appreciate his ability to adapt to my handling vs. my daughter's handling schedule. He's really her snake, but she went away to college! I've learned a lot on this website, which has helped me to understand his "language". I know when he wants to be left alone!

I handle my boys all the time, well, when i get a chance, generally daily, but thats just because i always freshen their water and they always wanna come out...

the girls on the other hand... i dont handle them much, because they have always had that stiff thing goin and i dont like dealing with them... they can get all :taz: sometimes...

=]

ill have to get back with you about my girl, but my male, ill handle him every day, except a 36 hour feeding period, but he didnt even get testy during his shed, which i tohught was awesome and my neighbor thought was...well i wont say the word he used, but he was resentful lol

I take Stan out fairly frequently. I never take him out of his hides but if I see him out moving around I'll take him out for awhile and let him crawl around on the floor or if it is warm out take him with me to get the male. If he shows signs of stress or balling up I'd stop... but he doesn't.

I hang with Ki every chance I get. He loves exploring my room so I keep my room extra clean. I snake proofed it after he got out and was gone for 3 weeks on an personal journey throughout my house( worst month of my life believe me!) Every chance I get means when he isn't Shedding, eating, has eaten in the past 2 days, or is being just plain hissy.