handling

[latesam]

How long should you wait until handling your PB after it feeds? i read that you should wait about a day. So 24 hours is an adequate time to wait? or 48?

[Shelby]

I say 48 for sure. You don't want a regurge.

[mradford]

I wait 24 hours and I've never had a problem. Within 24h, the digestive process is well under way. I've heard people say both 24 and 48 though, so maybe the compromise is 36 hours... lol.

~Matt~

[DrEwTiMe]

i would say to give at least 48 hours. A day after may not be enough time for the snake to be fully settled.

[Shelby]

I've had a regurge happen with a 24 hour wait. Depends on the snake and the meal too.

[daniel1983]

i agree with shelby. it depends on the snake and the size of a meal. If they have a really big meal, i give them 3 days just to be sure. if it is a smaller sized meal, around 36 hours they are up and moving about as normal so I figure it is ok. The snake will tell you alot if you pay attention. If it is in its hide constantly after 24 hours, it is probably still not readly to be held. if it is moving alll about as usual, i dont see why you could not handle a bit (still dont over do it).

[Cody]

I feed on friday nights, and I usually leave my bp until monday nights, which gives her plenty of time. Usually the whole meal is digest by then(or atleast broken down enough where she doesn't have a lump in her belly). But sometimes I've had to move her and handle her 24 hours after the meal, and even sometimes a handful of hours after the meal. I've yet to have a regurge though.

I'm sure it all depends on the particular snake and stuff, but I believe that snakes regurge not because they're being moved around and they get an upset stomach or something(like humans may get if they go jog right after a big meal), but rather they regurge when they feel threatened or disturbed. I believe they do that in the wild to lighten the load so they can escape from the threat easier. So my belief is if you don't give the snake any reason to feel threatened or uneasy, you shouldn't have a problem. I guess it all comes down to trust...and the individual snake I suppose.

Just my two pennies. They're canadian though, so the exchange rate makes my two cents half that, if not less.