How long do you wait before handling a new snake?

I like 2 weeks, gives me time to make sure eating habits are established. :)

i understand that I should probably wait a week before handling my girl (just got her today) but i didnt see anywhere exactly why I should wait? is it just due to stress or what?

Hi,

Yes it is to give them time to settle in to their new enclosure and feel secure.

This increases the chance they won't be too unsure of their surroundings to eat. Every snake is different though in how much changing enclosure and routine affects them - but with a new snake there is no way to know for sure so a little caution never hurts. :)

It passes quickly and, once they are all settled in and eating regularly, then you can start the handling in small amounts to see how they cope with it.

If they stop eating then cut back on the handling again to let them settle for a little bit longer. But mostly you should be ok. :gj:


dr del

...ok, whatever your answer is, what is it based on?

Opinion, or information that says its harmful to the animal because of "X".

Brandon

This depends.

I still barely handle my het pied- she is a world class witch and I don't want to get tagged.

on the other hand, the day both of my piebalds arrived, they were totally chill and we handled them a fair bit. And, both ate within two days of arriving, and show no signs of stress.

Our new pastel hasn't eaten yet, and she's hissy. I never touch her so far.

Our new black pastel is eating like a champ, but is clearly more timid so we leave him alone.

It's individual.

And, for the record, my most aggressive snakes are NOT the best eaters necessarily

7 dayssssss not counting holding and inspecting them before iput them in their enclosure

I fed mine the 5th day after getting her, then I waited 2 days and handled her for about 15 minutes. I plan on keeping this schedule for a couple more feedings and then I will increase my handling times. I handled her for about 20 minutes when I first brought her home though and for about 30 minutes while checking her out the week before I got her. So far, so good. She seems to be doing great with the handling and feeding so far and not showing any signs of stress with it so I'm happy:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BrandonsBalls

...ok, whatever your answer is, what is it based on?

Opinion, or information that says its harmful to the animal because of "X".

Brandon

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Experience.

Our first bp - we didn't know anything much about it besides it's a snake (nocturnal, cold-blooded, eats rats, constrictor)...

So, of course, first day home she was on my kids' laps. She ate right before we took her home. And the store says she's a great feeder and all that. Well, of course, we tried to feed her the next week and no dice. Called the store told them she's not doing good (I didn't know anything about forums at that time). Store says, probably just getting used to the new place so give it another week. No dice. It was time for her vet visit so I asked the vet about it and that's when I found out ball pythons are easily stressed. I did extensive research on the internet about these things called ball pythons and learned about the ASF's, so I immediately contacted Mike C who sold me an ASF and introduced me to this forum. The bp has been a consistent feeder after I made several adjustments to her enclosure and easing up on the handling.

So, when we got our next bp, we left the bp alone until a week later when it was time for a feed. And he took the rat immediately. So, no problems there.

Our next bp we got from a guy who lost his job, so we took the snake without having seen her eat first. The guy said she has been refusing her meals but that it was time for her next meal the next day. So, we set her up in her viv, fed her the next day and she ate no problem! So, we started handling her the 3rd day we had her.

I didn't answer the poll because my answer is after a successful feed which in my experience was different lengths of time...

From what I've read it would depend on how exactly I am acquiring the new snake.

-From a breeder and already grown up, I might start handling right away. Maybe 2-3days for to get used to a new home. If it were small/young a week.

-If it is unknown where it is from, like possibly being a wild caught one from a place like a petco then I might wait after its eaten a few times. maybe 2-3 times. Meaning about 2-3weeks. Make sure it's not stressed out and doesn't eat because of handling it.