Is alot of handling good for a snake?

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Well no one has answered the question asked in the thread title.

I personally don't believe that "a lot" of handling is good for your snake. I do believe that handling is for our pleasure, not the snake's, and we need to be able to respect that they simply tolerate us.

It does make us feel better to think that our snakes desire the interaction as much as we do, but I don't think any of my snakes "miss" me when I'm out of town, or have snakey dreams about our interactions together.

A more relaxed animal that has adapted well to handling may make their keeper feel that they "love" to come out, when in fact, they're simply an animal that doesn't stress as easily.

Behaviors such as stretching up to the top of the enclosure makes some keepers feel that the snake is desiring their company when in fact the snake is checking the enclosure for signs of weaknesses to exploit in an opportunity to escape. How many escaped ball pythons have sought out their owners because they desired to be handled or be in their company?

So, I voted the last option. I love interacting with my snakes - I have enough of them that I don't have to overhandle any one of them. They do get a daily handling of a few minutes to check them over for overall general health and time for me to say "man you're a gorgeous snake - you're my favorite!" to each of them. :)

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I pretty much agree with Robin on all points and I also voted the last option. I generally handle them only to give them a regular inspection to check for any health problems or when I'm cleaning their cages, or because I just feel like holding a snake (I find snake handling very calming and relaxing). I have a few snakes that don't seem to care if I hold them or not, most of them tolerate it after a couple of minutes of squirming around and a few that are very timid, stress out easily and really hate being handled at all. I don't have ANY snakes that I can honesty say like being held.

However, there are a few exceptions when it comes to handling where they'll be handled for much longer then normal periods of time. I often do a number of educational shows every year where I'm showing off my snakes to the general public. In these cases I'm holding snakes for the public to touch and pet while I explain a little bit about their background. These snakes may be exposed to petting and touching for up to two hours at a time so it's important to know your snakes personality and how well they can handle being touched. Most of the snakes that I use for these programs come from the 'don't seem to care' group. I NEVER bring out a snake that is in the 'timid, easily stressed' group, and I NEVER bring out a snake that has ever bitten me for any reason.

Yes, many timid snakes can be desensitized to handling and come to tolerate it better, however these are also the ones that can suddenly strike out and surprise you at the most inopportune times. When allowing another person to pet or touch your snake, it's better to stick with one that has always demonstrated an easy going attitude rather then one you think you've tamed with a lot of handling.

Mark

Most BP's can tolerate being handled or become accilimated/ conditioned to being handled overtime, some more and others never get used to the idea.

The wanting company or friendship is a human idea. Snakes are for the most part solitary animals and get no benefit by being around other animals for survial or social needs unlike people, dogs, apes, sheep many inscets etc..

They only encounter they need is a rodent every once and a while.

I do agree that excersize is helpful and my vet also told me that many captive reptiles become obese because they eat way more than they would naturally and use a fraction of the energy.

I have seen necropsy pics of snakes that had large fat pockets that ultimately caused organ damage.


So finding a balance is good and some animals may tolerate it more but I have some animals I only handle for maintenance because they are way too nervous.

When someone asks me can I hold a snake I always know who will be more than pleasant to come say hi. So knowing your snake is key, they all have their own little personality.

Overhandling does lead to feeding problems and stress can lead to weakened imune system problems.

I agree balls can be over handled. I take mine out for about 15-20 mins. every day or so. Except for the feeding rest time...and mine are out going balls.

I was wondering, at what point should you stop handling you snake at the start of the shedding process? When it's belly goes slightly pink, when their on the second or third day of pinkish-ness, or at the point of spectacles becoming visible? Because usually i take Hercules out every night but for the last 3 or 4 days he has been hissing at me every time I reach in there. And his belly has gone pink so i no that means a shed is starting, but he didn't hiss last time he was shedding. Or should I just leave him alone some nights even when he isn't shedding?
I'm so confused...:confused:

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Originally Posted by GTKeeper

Well, I use tongues with f/t mice, and the snake still strikes and contricts..

I mean, its cheaper and safer to feed f/t, so why not... :banana:

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I hope you use tongs and not your tongue because that would be painful if the snake misses. ;)

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Originally Posted by CRAZY

I was wondering, at what point should you stop handling you snake at the start of the shedding process? When it's belly goes slightly pink, when their on the second or third day of pinkish-ness, or at the point of spectacles becoming visible? Because usually i take Hercules out every night but for the last 3 or 4 days he has been hissing at me every time I reach in there. And his belly has gone pink so i no that means a shed is starting, but he didn't hiss last time he was shedding. Or should I just leave him alone some nights even when he isn't shedding?
I'm so confused...:confused:

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All snakes are different. I have some who I can handle anytime. And others who I have had to learn when and how often to handle them. They will let you know.

O.o after reading all these posts I'm worried. I handle my snake a ton. Except of course for that 48 hour period where he has just eatin. Is it really bad for them to be handled? Gosh I hope not :( :please: So many people here have different opinions on it. Is there any real answer to that question?

Few minutes a week while cleaning their tubs.

I picked the last option and I'm with Robin on this one...

I'm from the thought process that all handling is somewhat stressful to a snake. I rarely take out a snake just to hold them; most of the time I am either showing them to someone who is interested that has come to my house or during cleaning.

Every now and then I do handle them for my pleasure: watching t.v. or taking pictures of them, but thats far and few in between.

I would only consider regular handling to help tame an overly agressive snake.

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Originally Posted by Siarah

O.o after reading all these posts I'm worried. I handle my snake a ton. Except of course for that 48 hour period where he has just eatin. Is it really bad for them to be handled? Gosh I hope not :( :please: So many people here have different opinions on it. Is there any real answer to that question?

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Well, once again, as I'm sure u'v read before, all snakes are different. If ur snake happily crawls around you when u have have him/her out the I'm sure s/he is fine. But if the entire time s/he is just curled up, s/he is probably not so happy. And, in the end, it all narrows down to your instincts, this may sound corney but I can sort of feel when my snake is uncomfortable, when he would rather be left alone, partially because of the hissing, but sometimes he dosen't hiss, and he just doesn't do any thing, but that's only happened once or twice.
Sometimes he hisses when he wants to come out, but I just scared him. So it's all down to your gut instinct, and how your snake is acting.

P.S. Nice moves ;-)