Handling a bp

[tickyyy]

Okay I'm asking this question for the future when I get my bp, how often can I handle a bp? And how should I handle it?


I've read that some people handle their's everyday and their snake is fine, but Iv'e also read that you should handle it only a couple times a week. I would love to have my bp on me 24/7 but that probably won't happen due to their nature. Idk I hope I get a snake who loves being held and loves giving/receiving attention.

[Bogertophis]

Great question. Any new snake should NOT be handled for a couple weeks (sorry, I know it's torture for you) allowing them time to settle in & feed successfully*
2 or preferably 3 times before you attempt ANY handling. There's a good reason for this: the only thing that picks up a snake in the wild is a predator about to
eat him, so instinctively, this is frightening and a huge distraction from eating. Eating is the MOST important thing for a snake to survive & be healthy. Handling
at first will stress your snake & stress is a negative influence on their immune system as well; just being in a new home is stressful enough, & if you over-stress
a snake, it's more likely they may become ill from whatever they've been exposed to before you brought them home. So take it slow for best results...it's worth
the better result. Even once you get past the first couple of feedings, don't over-do the handling; your snake will get used to the idea that you're safe to be with
but it won't happen overnight.

The better you are at being patient, the more likely your snake will come to relax & enjoy your company. Remember how big we are compared to them...
imagine how you'd feel if a creature at least 100 times bigger than you were to pick you up?

Once you do pick them up, I like to keep a snake close to me so they feel sheltered. That's how they feel safest in the wild too, they hate being out in the
open, because they're at greater risk of a predator finding them.

[tickyyy]

Great question. Any new snake should NOT be handled for a couple weeks (sorry, I know it's torture for you) allowing them time to settle in & feed successfully*
2 or preferably 3 times before you attempt ANY handling. There's a good reason for this: the only thing that picks up a snake in the wild is a predator about to
eat him, so instinctively, this is frightening and a huge distraction from eating. Eating is the MOST important thing for a snake to survive & be healthy. Handling
at first will stress your snake & stress is a negative influence on their immune system as well; just being in a new home is stressful enough, & if you over-stress
a snake, it's more likely they may become ill from whatever they've been exposed to before you brought them home. So take it slow for best results...it's worth
the better result. Even once you get past the first couple of feedings, don't over-do the handling; your snake will get used to the idea that you're safe to be with
but it won't happen overnight.

The better you are at being patient, the more likely your snake will come to relax & enjoy your company. Remember how big we are compared to them...
imagine how you'd feel if a creature at least 100 times bigger than you were to pick you up?

Thank you for this information it's very helpful. Will the snake be more tolerant when he's an adult?

[Zincubus]

Great question. Any new snake should NOT be handled for a couple weeks (sorry, I know it's torture for you) allowing them time to settle in & feed successfully*
2 or preferably 3 times before you attempt ANY handling. There's a good reason for this: the only thing that picks up a snake in the wild is a predator about to
eat him, so instinctively, this is frightening and a huge distraction from eating. Eating is the MOST important thing for a snake to survive & be healthy. Handling
at first will stress your snake & stress is a negative influence on their immune system as well; just being in a new home is stressful enough, & if you over-stress
a snake, it's more likely they may become ill from whatever they've been exposed to before you brought them home. So take it slow for best results...it's worth
the better result. Even once you get past the first couple of feedings, don't over-do the handling; your snake will get used to the idea that you're safe to be with
but it won't happen overnight.

The better you are at being patient, the more likely your snake will come to relax & enjoy your company. Remember how big we are compared to them...
imagine how you'd feel if a creature at least 100 times bigger than you were to pick you up?

Once you do pick them up, I like to keep a snake close to me so they feel sheltered. That's how they feel safest in the wild too, they hate being out in the
open, because they're at greater risk of a predator finding them.

^ THIS ^




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zincubus]

^ THIS ^


Plus if you're going to be handling most days apart from 48hours after a feed .... then it may be worth getting a snake that you can have a handling session first ... getting a good eater would be my priority as I've yet to find a Royal that won't tolerate handling..

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kira]

No snake loves being handled or giving/receiving attention. They simply tolerate it. Handling too often can lead to stress so it's best to stick to 2-3 sessions per week.

Before getting a snake, be sure to realize that they do not give or seek out affection. I say this because many people anthropomorphize snakes, which is unhealthy because it creates unrealistic expectations and can lead to improper care of the animal.

[MissterDog]

Before getting a snake, be sure to realize that they do not give or seek out affection. I say this because many people anthropomorphize snakes, which is unhealthy because it creates unrealistic expectations and can lead to improper care of the animal.

This. A lot of new owners often mistake signs of a nervous or stressed snake for being curious, explorative or "wanting to play". Even some vets(with no experience in reptiles) do this. There was an incident where someone was told by their vet that their snake squeaks because it wants attention, but really it was a symptom of a respiratory infection.

[redshepherd]

was told by their vet that their snake squeaks because it wants attention, but really it was a symptom of a respiratory infection.

I literally still can't believe that happened LOL

[Jellybeans]

I know isn't that unbelievable?!?!
I don't think you have to be a reptile veterinarian to know that something like that is just plain crazy

I literally still can't believe that happened LOL

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

[MR Snakes]

I literally still can't believe that happened LOL

That's what you get when you take your snek to "Making it up as we go Vet Clinic"!