How long do you wait to handle a new snake?

[Gomojoe]

I know there are rules of thumb to let your snakes settle in and not handle for a few days, but I'm just wondering how long people actually wait!

[adamsky27]

I wait until they have fed at least twice. Much longer than four days!

[RobNJ]

Depends on the snake...some within hours of receiving, others not for weeks other than cleaning.

[dragonboy4578]

I wait until they are eating on a regular schedule. Until then they only get handled to be cleaned.

[Dabonus]

I wait until 2 days after their first meal.

[Xotik]

I wait for at least a week, only handling them if I have to clean under them. I will wait longer if they show signs of stress or illness (never had this happen, *crosses fingers*)

[Annarose15]

I wait until 2 days after their first meal.

x2

[Evenstar]

Depends on the snake. Any BP would not be handled for at least a week or for at least 2 days after its first meal - whichever is longer.

But boas are different. They actually seem to enjoy handling and do not stress easily like BPs do. So I will allow a new boa to settle in for the first day or two and then I feel comfortable handling them gently and for short periods of time. What I have found to work really well is to offer a boa its first meal with me the day after I bring it home, then wait 2 days to handle. That gives them a total of 3 days to relax. This works well for them.

Again, every snake is different. If any of my boas were to show signs of stress with that first handling, they would immediately be put back in their enclosure and not bothered for a couple more days. The key is gentleness and short periods of time.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I wait until 2 days after their second sequential meal.

[Gomojoe]

Ok, so if not handled how about checked on?


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