Idk how every else does it but every time I get a new snake they always ate for me with in one or 2 days n always settled in quick idk if I get them from good breeders or what it is but I don't keep my snakes in tanks they go in bins so maybe its not a big change for them .. not saying what I do is right or wrong but it works fine for me ... they all seem happy n healthy n that's what counts I. Don't hold the frequently just a quick into when they arrive and then I wait a week or so to really handle them