For collections: How do you have time to spend with all your snakes?

[Skymall007]

Hello everyone!

I notice a lot of people have big reptile collections. I have one tort and a bearded dragon and a bp. I also have six hermit crabs. Apart from the hermits they all like attention and enjoy being with the family. I sometimes feel like I want more animals but when I foster cared for four other snakes over the summer I realized it is hard to have enough time to spend with everyone. How do you do it? Also what are some good snake enrichment ideas ? Thanks in advance I love having reptile people to talk to. Especially when there are not enough people in the world who look at a snake and feel their heart melt

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[Mr. Misha]

The great thing about snakes is, they don't need affection, cuddles or kisses. Giving attention to snakes is like reciting Shakespeare to a cactus.

Now with that said, I like to handle mine at least once a week (I only have 4 btw) because I bought them as pets and I'm going to smother them with love, whether they like it or not.

I think most people with large collections are mostly breeders and don't really care about cuddling their snakes.

Just a thought...

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[DooLittle]

Well, between feeding and shedding and the two grumpy ones, there's always someone who doesn't want to be held anyhow. I usually go drag somebody out to chill and watch tv with for a few minutes after my daughter gets in the tub at night. I try to make sure I rotate through them, so they all get turns. But I do have my favorites.

[bigt0006]

Theres some snakes i dont handle much and some i handle more then others my desert enchi and my big normal boy are the 2 i handle the most

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[Skymall007]

Thanks guys I never thought about the shedding and eating part. That is actually one of the reasons I want another snake. I always want to hang out with her but three days a week I can't due to feeding

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[Daybreaker]

I check in/peek on on my guys every day to every other day and if someone needs to be changed I do that or when I feel like taking someone out for photos I do that too. I don't particularly spend time with any one snake more than the other, I actually prefer to leave them alone since I know that's what they prefer (besides the few who seems to like crawling around outside of their cages/tubs for exercise). None are favored or cared for "more" over others.

[Marissa@MKmorphs]

I currently have about 60 reptiles in my collection. Honestly? The only time I "handle" my animals is to look them over while I'm cleaning to make sure they are okay or to take pictures of them. It took me a while to realize that they don't enjoy it. In most cases it just stresses the animal out. While I do love each and every animal in my collection, I don't need to have them wrapped around my neck or chilling in my lap to show them love. I show my reptiles love with clean enclosures/tubs, clean water, and regular feeding schedules. Hope that helps!

[killswitch]

I currently have 10 ball pythons and I handle them all at least two times a week. Really depends on their attitude on the time im cleaning their cage, changing their water, temp checking their hot spots. As the above post stated they would prefer to be in their secure hide it seems more than anything. come cleaning time or water time if one is out of its hide and crawling around and checking stuff out I will hold him/her while im changing the paper towels in the enclosure, and then sit down for a little bit with them. The one thing I notice with all 10 of my ball pythons is after handling if I put their head next to their favorite hide they almost always go in and sometimes very fast. To me that says that them being handled is more enjoyable for me than it is for them.

[towelie4365]

If I see a BP at the front of the tub, going back and forth, I'll sometimes take them out, and they seem to enjoy it. I'm not sure if they actually do, but I like to think they want to go exploring when they are doing that, so I let them for a bit .

But all in all, sometimes I only take them out to clean their cages, and some weeks I'll take one out every day. I only do it when I want to interact with them, since I know they most likely don't enjoy it. If I can tell they are stressed, they usually get placed back in the rack within a few minutes. If they aren't stressed, I'll have them out for longer . It really depends on how busy I am, and if I want to take them out. That is one of my favorite things about snakes--you don't have to give them attention, and you only handle them when you want to (ignoring cleaning, of course).

As others have said before me, they are probably better off being left alone most of the time. But that doesn't make me feel bad taking them out... except when my wife pokes them in the face I keep telling her she is going to get bit eventually, but she gets a kick out of it...

The best "enrichment" you can do for a snake is having a suitable enclosure for that species, which may include having places to climb, or tight spaces to feel comfortable in

[Skymall007]

Thank you guys so much I really have enjoyed reading the responses so far. It is super insightful! My ball Python seems to come out of her hide every night at around 11:30. She used to never come out so I hope that means she is feeling comfortable.

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