Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
im freakin out right now cuz i want to handle my new guys but i have to wait a whole week to let them settle in! i hate that rule lol its all good tho only 4 days left :D
Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
I have only had my BP for a month, but our routine seems to have settled into 3-4 times a week, 2-3 days off for feeding/digestion.
When I take him out for the first time after a feeding, I basically let him explore and get some exercise on a couch that I have covered in newspaper. Once he has peed/pooped (which he always does within the first hour on that first day of handling) I feel free to take him around the house and climb all over me during handling for the next couple of days.
I am curious how others handle the pee/poop when handled phenomenon?
Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
I handle each of my BP's every day for at least 5 minutes, except:
- during shed
- after feeding (48 hours)
Also, if I catch one in the water dish then I figure it needs to bathe more than it needs to be handled, so I just let the snake be.
Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishmommy
I have only had my BP for a month, but our routine seems to have settled into 3-4 times a week, 2-3 days off for feeding/digestion.
When I take him out for the first time after a feeding, I basically let him explore and get some exercise on a couch that I have covered in newspaper. Once he has peed/pooped (which he always does within the first hour on that first day of handling) I feel free to take him around the house and climb all over me during handling for the next couple of days.
I am curious how others handle the pee/poop when handled phenomenon?
Wow, well, its not normal, at least from my experience, for a snake to have a bowel movement every time it is handled.
A snake passing urates or "peeing" during a handling session is usually an inducation that they are stressed...many snakes use this as a defensive mechanism, a deterrant to possible predators.
Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
he pees/poos basically just once a week, during the first handling session 2 days after eating. the rest of the week during handling he's just fine.
Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
so you guys were right!
As time is going by he is 'going' less often, and never outside his cage.
It must have been the stress of a new home/owner/routine :rockon:
I think I have figured out also that while handling, if his tail is busy or wrapped around something he isn't going to do any peeing. So now I hold him in a way that keeps his tail supported and engaged ... no more surprises :)
Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
I handle Gabriel fairly often, barring days when he is digesting or preparing to shed. This usually ends up 3-4 days a week, as I feed him a weanling every wednesday evening. He's been shedding roughly once every two months, so there's a period of a week or so within that time frame that I leave him be as well.
I feel that this handling has acclimated him to the presence of humans quite nicely. He's very tame and has never hissed or bitten me. He's also still small enough where I can safely perch him on my shoulder while I read or write for classes. This makes it easy to both be productive and allow Gabriel time out of his cage.
Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Entropy
Jenn, a snake named Doc Bar? Are you going to name a stable? Poco Bueno, Rocket Bar, Oklahoma Star...etc etc? ;)
All of our horese come from Doc Bar. our old mare (RIP) was named Ms.Cajon Three Bars. my horeses are named My Kid Bar and Snow of Bar. (Creamllo Stud (white with pink skin and blue eyes)) We also have a Tex's Poco, and a Bueno's son of Star. we have alot of line bred Quarter Horses.
sorry snakes.. yeah
I hold mine as much as I can with out making them stressed. Lazy (I still say he is a mama's boy) will come right from his tub in to my hands. His altime favorite "game" is "Lets get tangeled in mom hair". any time i have my hair up he will get stuck in the hair on the back of my head and wrap himself arond my bun/pony tail. Baby will hide in any pocket I have. and Freebe... he dont care what you do with him as long as he is watching the world go by. Angel is ms. Drama Queen/ model and she will get all upset unless she is being photographed.
Pandora on the other hand will bite you and she makes sure that she gets full contact. I have to pick her up with oven mits.
Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
when i get home from school i usually sit and handle her for about 15-30 min. then when i feed her on friday night i leave her till sunday afternoon or night. some days i don't get around to holding her because i have so much going on after school...
Re: How often do you handle your ball python?
I handle my girly every day if possible (with the execption of feeding and right after) . She likes to climb from my lap onto my desk and srap around the cup I have my pens in ^_^ She is a climber when she gets the chance...I have to make sure she doesn't climb the thumbtacks in my wall (again). Also, if she can get in my hair, she will. She gets wrapped around my ponytail or clip, sets her head right on top of mine, and will stay there as long as I let her. Crazy little Lilly... I love my girly! ^_^
