How to Handle New Snake?

[JuanPablo]

Ok, time for the new guy question of the day...How and when do I start to break in my juvenile BP to human handling...He has been in our care for about four days, fed yesterday, and never been handled in our household...I assume we need to slowly expose him to us but don't when to start, how often or how long each session should be...I want to go as slow as is best for the BP. Any suggestions? :?:

[hhw]

Well, at least until after he's fed, which you've already done. Now that he's fed, at least 48 hours from then, to allow him time to digest. After that, you can try handling him for a few minutes at a time. It's probably best to wait until night time, when he's active and about on his own in his enclosure to pick him up out of his cage.

[JuanPablo]

Will do. Is a few minutes each day too much?, not enough? It seems you can overhandle a snake, what about under handling?

[daftperception]

i heard under handling a snake can make them cranky because they are not as used to it. i handle bolth my snakes at least 30 minutes a day usually an hour.

[JamminJonah]

with your snake juan I would probably start out slow and then build to the regimine Daft is talking about. I'd say try fifteen minutes two - three times a week and if the snake continues feeding well try fifteen minutes four times a week etc. until you get to five times a week (two days to digest) or until you can increase the time without feeding problems. That's just my .03$ though

[MacWin]

I handle my snake frequently :o :wink: :lol:

[Eddie_Z]

Yeah, when I first got Hissy, she was, well, Hissy. That is where she got the name! I let her adjust to the new place for a week or two & then just started handling little by little. Your snake will usually let you know when it is time to put them back.

It is at a point now where as soon as Hissy smells that it is me pickin her up, she doesn't even bother hissin or anything. I can handle her for fairly long periods of time too. But once she starts to try to dart as far away as quickly as she can, i know that it is time to go back home.

[Smulkin]

Gonna go blind there, MacWin

[MacWin]

He He He