😊 Is my method of handling a BP ok?

[Chayanin]

The way I handle my BP is:
I only handle her at night when she's already active.
I never pick her up from the cage.
I open her cage and let her come out by herself (90% of the time she will come straight onto my hands)
If she doesn't want to come out then I leave her alone (of course I don't handle her 48 hours after she's eaten or during a shed).

I would like to ask what you guys think about this method.
Is this ok for the snake? Will it be fine in the long run? (Eg; if for some reason I really have to get her out asap, and I have to pick her up.. She won't be used to that at all).

Any comments would be greatly appreciated ^^
Thanks!

[oes888]

If you reach in and grab her quickly and confidently, she will not identify you as prey, thus minimizing her mistaking you as food and possibly striking. There is nothing wrong with taking out the snake yourself.

[Chayanin]

If you reach in and grab her quickly and confidently, she will not identify you as prey, thus minimizing her mistaking you as food and possibly striking. There is nothing wrong with taking out the snake yourself.

Thank you for your reply ^^
I'm not worried about her thinking my hand is prey though.
I just thought that she would be less stressed if she comes out by herself.
I guess I'll start picking her up from inside the cage then

[pbyeerts]

I always give Ginny a little pat before I pick her up. That way, she knows that it's me, and it also wakes her up. A startled snake will strike, so you want to let her know that she's not in danger.


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Pamela and GINGER, my wonderful BP

1 dog, 3 cats, 1 macaw, 1 husband, 1 daughter, and GINGER


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[EL-Ziggy]

I agree with OES. If I want /need to handle/move any of my snakes I just reach in and quickly/confidently/gently pick them up. All of my snakes tolerate handling pretty well.

[Chayanin]

Thanks all for the suggestions ^^

[BWB]

I handle my snakes quite frequently, avoiding feeding (for 48 hours or so) and shedding time. I have picked them up while starting to shed but put them back as I think it's unfair to disorient them while their vision isn't at its best (my boa is hard to tell as she is so light and doesn't show as strongly as the ball - she just hisses at me to leave her alone). I generally have them out every day, sometimes every two days, for some exploring and let them crawl on the stairs, table, window sills or wherever they want to go (safely and not able to disappear somewhere like my rocker/recliner!). Basically I just reach in, gently rub their side a little and carefully pick them up from their midsection, ensuring that they can wrap around my arm, wrist or hand as I bring them out of their enclosure. I also make sure that I wash my hands before and after handling of each of them.