Question on the 5 day no holding rule

[dfriedlos]

Why does it say not to hold snakes for the first 5 days of having a new snake, ya i know the whole new environment that they need to get used to but doesn't that include you ( the handler)?

[RestlessRobie]

The main reason is to let them settle in to thier new enclosure and give them time to destress from the move they just made. Then you need to hold them breifly at first 10-20 min and work your way up in time. This will make for a much better adjusted snake who is secure in thier new enviroment. Remember baby snakes are usually food for other animals if they do not feel secure you can run into problems with eating and health due to stress

[k8nkane]

I got my BP on Sunday. He seemed to settle down by the second day into a routine. No pacing or anything. I started handling him the next day. Just a couple of minutes with me holding him in my hands. Then I put him back in his cage by a hide. It's only Friday and he already comes out of his hide in the evening and seems to ask to be held. So I do. Though I haven't held him today as he just fed yesterday (and yet he's still at the front of his cage, asking to be let out).

He seems to be unusually curious and friendly for a BP though, from what I've read on here and other sites. He isn't shy at all.

Every snake is different, but for most, it's probably safest to at least wait until they've settled into their cage.

[VEXER19]

A snakes response to their natural enviroment is a must and a part of what a snake is. You as a handler are something they learn to tolerate, not just get used to. It is a wild animal, but a great question I have never heard before, so thanks for thinking of it.

[TrueDatxD]

i handled mine alll day the first day. i took him shopping with me,.. wal mart, target, pet co... he didnt mind. i didnt even have a cage for him so he went shopping for that too. he was perfectly fine. hes 7 years old now

[SlitherinSisters]

Generally people say you shouldn't handle a snake for 2 weeks. I usually let mine sit a week before I bother them for pictures and whatnot.

The reason you want to give them time to settle in is because ball pythons stress easy. If they get stressed they stop eating, so it's best to keep them from getting to stressed. Ball pythons don't need to get used to their handlier, they are docile snakes so they aren't going to become aggressive just because you don't hold them.

[AGoldReptiles]

First you want the animal to settle in and adjust from the recent move. This may take from 2 days to 2 weeks depending on how many changes there are in the transition and how that particular snake reacts.

Second you want to get the animal feeding. If the snake is still stressed from the move it is very likely to not want to eat . This is where letting them get settled is important.

Finally you can start handling. Short sessions at first . That last thing you wanna do is stress the animal out to start the process all over.

Good Luck, Be patient, and Have Fun!

[dfriedlos]

Sorry to recap everyone but i really want to get all the info... snake being settled, is there any certain thing your looking for or is it just a personal judgement, i get the waiting on feeding due to stress that can upset diets, and the handling after said wait limited to short sessions or is there again (signs you look for) to tell you the snake is done being held

[mattchibi]

My general routine when getting a new snake is to leave it alone for the whole first week, occasionally checking temps and spot cleaning. I like to feed 7 days after first getting the snake, and not handling it until it has eaten 2-3 times for me. Good luck!

[WingedWolfPsion]

My advice is to leave the animal alone until it's eaten for you twice, consecutively, when food was offered. That indicates it has settled into its new home and feels secure, so you can start short, gentle handling sessions to tame it. If it goes off food, eliminate handling, and start again at a reduced rate, once it's feeding again.

Chronic stress makes reptiles susceptible to infections, reduces their appetite, and is just generally very bad for their health. So, when you move an animal, it's under stress, and the stress lasts until it's acclimated to its new environment. Adding the stress of handling on top of that is not a good idea, hence the advice.