When is it safe to handle after/before feeding?

Hi, Everyone,
I'm going to the pet store tonight to feed my little boy. We will probably bring him home early next week.
Now, I know that right after we bring him home, we should leave him alone to get used to his new house, and I was told anywhere from a week to 3 weeks for that, I guess we will see how he is settling in.
What I'm confused about is handling. I was told you shouldn't handle them after they eat, and before they eat. Ok, for how long for each one? How long does it take them to digest? Do you wait until you can't see a lump anymore? Does that give you enough time to get them used to being handled? I'm really sorry, but this is my very first snake, I know nothing, and I don't want to mess up.

Keep a fixed schedule. Feed on the same day/time. No handling on feeding day. Feed a prey item the same size or slightly less than the girth of the snake. No handling for 24-36 hours after feeding. Hope this helps. :)

What works for me is handling after they have a BM. This is usually around the 36-48 hr mark, depending on the size of prey item. Keep a good schedule though. It really helps.

When bringing home a new baby I usually let them get acclimated for a week in their new enclosure, then I will start handling them for 5-10 minutes twice a day so that they can start getting used to being handled, then start increasing the time you handle weekly. I offer food after the first week, if not taken then I will try to feed on the same day the following week. General rule of thumb is not to handle the snake for at least 48 hrs after feeding (there is a possibility you could get your mouse back). Is this snake coming from a pet store of breeder?

Hope this helps

Take care:D

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Originally Posted by Pythons Rock

General rule of thumb is not to handle the snake for at least 48 hrs after feeding

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This is the rule I go by as well. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Pythons Rock

When bringing home a new baby I usually let them get acclimated for a week in their new enclosure, then I will start handling them for 5-10 minutes twice a day so that they can start getting used to being handled, then start increasing the time you handle weekly. I offer food after the first week, if not taken then I will try to feed on the same day the following week. General rule of thumb is not to handle the snake for at least 48 hrs after feeding (there is a possibility you could get your mouse back). Is this snake coming from a pet store of breeder?

Hope this helps

Take care:D

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The simple answer is yes. It is a pet store but they bred their own snakes. They did not breed mine, but they do bred a ton of different colored corns. I asked where he came from and he was bred by one of her customers, that I am aquainted with. I do know someone else who has one of his snakes, it is healthy and quite big.

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

This is the rule I go by as well. :gj:

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If Christie says it, take it as gospel!! :)

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Originally Posted by jglass38

If Christie says it, take it as gospel!! :)

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I wouldn't go that far. :neener: (how much do I owe you for that? ;) )

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

I wouldn't go that far. :neener: (how much do I owe you for that? ;) )

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$10. I'm cheap and easy... :2cent:

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Originally Posted by jglass38

$10. I'm cheap and easy... :2cent:

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I knew I liked you for a reason! :wuv: :blowkiss:

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

I knew I liked you for a reason! :wuv: :blowkiss:

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Cheap and easy...thats the ticket!

We do 48 hours as well, although we also go with the flow. If Cleo has a pretty big meal one week, we may wait an additional day, especially if she's still digesting away in her warm hide (she usually wanders over to her cool hide 48 hours after eating). Carmen spent 4 days in a row in her hide after eating this past time (power digesting!), so we didn't pester her until she ventured out for a slither. =)

Never worry about asking a lot of questions Mina, that's what BPNet is here for. I think it's wonderful to hear of a good pet store that is letting you come in to feed your BP prior to purchase so you can see how it's done and also confirm that this is a snake with a good feeding response.

Our usual routine here is to feed on Thursday evening after dusk, so Monday through Wednesday we handle the snakes for short periods in the evening hours as well as do their normal caging husbandry every morning. Thursday is different...on purpose. That day I open the tubs in the morning hours, quickly check for defecates or urates, add fresh water in their bowls and leave them be. The next time the tub opens they all know it's rat time! They seem to get to know the routine after only a few weeks. Then they are left alone for Friday and Saturday other than to the usual daily cage check and water changes. If they've had a feeding change as far as prey size or number we give them an extra day of hands off....if not then Sunday everyone is out for some quiet handling time. Basically 4 out of 7 days we can handle...3 we leave them be. Just our schedule, certainly not the only way to do it LOL.

Usually what I do is, I feed all my snakes on Sunday at noon. I put them in their own feeding box, let them eat, gently pick up their box, place in their tanks, open the lil gate I made for them to slither out so that means I wont have to touch them, and they usually slither out into their lil cave. I usually wait until I see them come out from their caves which is usually atleast 48 hours later. Even then, I'm VERY careful with handling, just in case.