Handling

[Toasty]

Hello All I've had my BP for about a week now. First time snake owner. I couldnt be happier with my 'ReX'. I have a question about handling times, and the length of time that is ok to handle him. He has never appeared fearful of me at all.. in fact the exact opposite. From day 1 hes always been interested in me. Sniffing around, crawling over me (including wrapping around the frames of my glasses . Long story short... is there any amount of handling that is TOO MUCH? I love sittin on the couch watchin a show while he crawls over me. Im hoping to make handling as comfortable for him as it is for me. Though he doesnt seem to disagree with it, am I doing wrong by this?!? Reading other threads about snakes that are jumpy and strike at there owners, I feel a sense of relief that my snake is so clam and well adapted.

[xdeus]

Wow, you've only had a week and have handled him that much? The best indicator of stress for Balls is the ability to feed. If he doesn't show interest in eating, you may be stressing him with too much handling.

I don't think there are any clear cut answers as to how much is too much. Generally I don't like to handle my Balls more than 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a week. (I just know someone will comment on that last sentence) However, I don't see why you couldn't increase that time as long as they are eating and don't appear stressed. I was wondering if you gave him any adjustment period when you first got him? Normally you should allow at least one week for them to get acclimated to their new environment before feeding or handling them.

[Toasty]

Unfortunatly I found this Forum a tad too late to take that advice of the 1 week period to acclimate the snake to its new home. However, after he took his mouse within 1 minute the first day, I figured he wouldn't have a problem. I let him be for almost 2 days after his first feeding, but have been handling him multiple times a day ever since. Tomorrow I guess I will see if it stresses him out, as tomorrow is feeding day . As far as handling goes, he is so calm as he always allows me to run my finger "pet" him on his head, and the only time i see him curled is when he's in his home. Other than that he seems very curious

[xdeus]

It sounds like you may have gotten lucky and found an "outgoing" Ball. They all have different personalities, so it's not too unusual. I have some like that, but I also have others that will ball up if I look at them the wrong way and still others that will make a bee-line to the nearest hiding space they can find whenever I let them out.

[Toasty]

Well thats good to hear! I don't know if I would have been as satisfied if it was the other way around. He seems to know when I'm about to grab him up, since whenever I open the top to his home, he either comes out of his hide, or begins climbin up the side of his home if hes not in his hide!

[mr~python]

my female was like yours when i got her. being a newbie i unknowingly handled her everyday and she ate like a pig, shed fine, and was really "outgoing". for some reason she's pretty shy now though. she still eats good but it seems she's head shy. probably due to the fact that i hardly handle my snakes anymore.

[Grim91Z]

Sounds like my ball. I waited a couple days to handle and a couple more to feed, but he's just an adventuras python now. Actually, a little too adventuras (he'll get on my keyboard or computer mouse).

[Razaiel]

I handle my snakes every day (almost) except for the 48 hours after feeding. I make it in the evening (snake awake time plus I have time to sit down). I tend to keep them out for about an hour depending on how much time I have and if they feel like it (they normally do). I've got a BP and Boa so I get the BP out first then the Boa after my shower.

[lisa77]

My Little man is very outgoing I think, I havent handled him at all really since i got him on 8th July, he is forever wanting to come out when i change his water everyday..he had his 1st feed last night..so its all good !

[Gaius Marius]

I handled mine all last week every day for a good amount of time even a couple times a day. He ate monday night after being held. Mine seems pretty out going too. Really passive and cordial. Im not handling him right now due to the fact he ate monday night and is in the shedding process. But he appears to be ok with holding and has never given me the impression he wants to bite. I figure im lucky since mine is wc.