How often do you like to handle your bp's?

[JulieInNJ]

I leave the ones alone that clearly want to be left alone. Their tubs get opened once per day to check for messes. Some others are incredibly docile and start climbing on us as soon as the tubs are open, so they get handled for a few minutes every now and then.

I think that after a certain number of snakes it just becomes unrealistic to expect to handle every single one for a certain amount of time per week. For us, that was like 40 snakes ago.

Lol! That's exactly what I was wondering. I doubt we'll ever get to that many, but I wanted to be a responsible owner.

[King's Royal Pythons]

I only have 14 adult bp's; out of those 14, 1 gets stressed out after about 30 minutes of handling (so she doesn't get handled much); the rest seem to enjoy exploring and crawling around on their moving tree. I actually do have one that comes out of his hide and waits at the top of the tub for me to open it up and let him crawl out.
They may be very solitary in the wild, but remember...most of these are captive born and bred and only know what they have experienced. If they don't get handled, they will get stressed when handled. If they are used to being handled, they don't get stressed as easily (at least mine don't).

[iCandiBallPythons]

I check the racks everyday for waste or water. I dont really handle mine except for looking them over while cleaning, watering etc.

[HypoPita]

That's good to know! I think part of the problem is that I'm absolutely fascinated by her and my 8 year old son loves watching her too. We'd probably be better off having multiple bp's so we can get our fix and not disturb them too much!

And so the breeding project seed has been planted...

Personally, I have 8 bps; Three are adult, and 5 just came out of the egg. I'm trying really hard to leave the babies alone, haha. As for the adults, I just handle when I am cleaning their tubs, or checking on them. Maybe once a week I will hold them for kicks, for around 10 minutes. Some of the snakes tolerate it better than others. Kind of funny how much we love having them, yet interact with them so little.

If you are wondering where that line is between them being okay with it, and them getting stressed out, It is generally when the start getting antsy and moving around faster and/or looking for a place to stick their head (when they weren't already). Some will run around their tub for a while after you put them back if they got particularly stressed.

[JulieInNJ]

And so the breeding project seed has been planted...

Personally, I have 8 bps; Three are adult, and 5 just came out of the egg. I'm trying really hard to leave the babies alone, haha. As for the adults, I just handle when I am cleaning their tubs, or checking on them. Maybe once a week I will hold them for kicks, for around 10 minutes. Some of the snakes tolerate it better than others. Kind of funny how much we love having them, yet interact with them so little.

If you are wondering where that line is between them being okay with it, and them getting stressed out, It is generally when the start getting antsy and moving around faster and/or looking for a place to stick their head (when they weren't already). Some will run around their tub for a while after you put them back if they got particularly stressed.

Thanks! Our little girl likes being held but I can always tell when she's had enough. I'm glad to
Know they really don't require being held. Makes me more excited to get more, lol!

[RetiredJedi]

I only have three BPs and I handle them every day, handling times vary by BP. Obviously, I don't handle during shed or feed times.

[Robonarc]

I handle mine 3 or 4 times a week for about 10 to 20 minutes in the evening when she's awake and active. I never disturb her during the day or when she's expecting a shed and I give her at least 2 or 3 days after a meal.

[Virus]

I only hold mine once or twice a week. I check on his hides to make sure that there aren't any messes and all, but if he's comfy, I'm happy.

[JRSCB16A2]

I have two normals, and I handle them both every day, for 15 minutes sometimes, sometimes I keep one out for hours. They eat fine every 5 or 6 days, even when shedding. One of them comes out of the hide whenever I open the screen top and will actively climb onto my hand. So I'm guessing not all BP's get stressed out from being held. My normals go against everything I read about them.

[CustomChevyGuy]

i usually hold my bp every other to every few days, but only when i see he's awake and looking around, and then for maybe 20-30 minutes max

i try to pet him every day or every time i open the cage.