How much is too much?

[duckschainsaw]

So far my collection is up to 3, but I'm still fairly new. I've got tub/tank setup down and all everyone is healthy. My only problem is I want to hold them a lot. I'd be perfectly content walking around my house doing chores with one of them hanging around my neck all day. So my question is this. How much is too much when it comes to handling them? I looked around the forums a bit and couldn't find anything on it.

[Lizardlicks]

That depends on you, the snake, and the environment. When you first get a snake, it should have at least a week hands off to settle in. After that, start with SHORT handling sessions (10-15 minutes) and build your way up. Now some snakes are naturally nervous and stress easy, and some are super chill. As you get to know each snake, you'll figure out their personalities and which ones are better suited to more handling. I like to handle them each at least once or twice a week so I can give them a better inspection than just looking in their tubs, and the ones that are more relaxed/fun to handled get held more often. And of course, always remember to give them a couple of days off after they eat and leave them alone when they're in shed.

[Sauzo]

Depends on the snake. Each one is different. I got lucky I guess because both my big BCI girl and my little pied BP girl like to be out and about. Well my BCI likes it a lot more as she loves to sit on me while I wander around doing stuff and she will try and climb onto anything I get near...trees, rain gutters, deck railings, anything she can stretch to and inspect. My little pied girl though is more content to just make a big circle on my stomach/chest and just relax there for hours while I watch tv once in awhile shifting her head position. As for handling, I pretty much pet or take my BCI out daily and leave her cage door open most of the evening while im watching tv as she loves to just hang out. The pied girl is usually handled every other day usually in the evenings as that seems to be when she is happiest being out. During the day, she will usually curl up and throw a coil over her head like she wants to sleep if I take her out and let her sit on me, or she tries and find a dark spot on the couch to curl up in. You learn to read your snakes and know when they have had enough and want back in the cage or to be left alone and then you do just that, leave them alone. So bottom line, there is no "too much handling". It's what your snake accepts as its limit of interaction with you. And all this only applies if your snake is already settled in, eating and you have him/her for months. If it is a new snake, then don't handle for a week or until its eaten 3 meals with no problem. Then work in 10-15 min intervals daily or every other day while watching how the snake reacts and adjusting accordingly.