Opinions on multiple snakes :)

[LittleVixen]

I was just wondering what everyone's opinion is on owning multiple snakes? I am just worried that if I get more, then I won't have the time to play with all of them the same amount. Does it negatively impact a snake if it is not handled every single day?

Also, does anyone find that their first snake holds a special place in their heart that no other snake can quite compete with?

Thanks for sating my curiosity!

[200xth]

I think most of the people here have multiple snakes. Some in a breeding capacity, some in a pet capacity, many in a dual capacity as both.

Most of mine don't care if I interact with them. Some are more polite about it than others, but by and large I think they're okay with me leaving them alone. A couple of them really seem to like being handled, but even then, if I don't get to it, I think they're more than happy to just sit in solitude in the dark and ponder python things.

[Mr. Misha]

My first girl Faye will always have a special place in my heart. Even though she's a normal, she's my favorite.

With that said, I agree with 200xth. I'd say BPs just merely put up with being handled. We definitely get a lot more out of handling them then they do.

I just wonder what kind of python things do they ponder about...

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[Neal]

A snake doesn't have to be held and what not. I personally rarely ever hold my BP's but I do hold them sometimes. My Rufous Beaked however I hold a lot. I keep all of my BP's in the rack in the spare bedroom but my Rufous stay in my bedroom next to my bed. So I handle them a lot, well 2 of the 3 I do.

[Marrissa]

I just take mine out when I have the time to do so and they have no just been fed. One I don't hold at all since she's gone off feed. The other two girls I rarely hold. Mainly I hold my first BP and my boa a lot. My boa is by far my favorite to have out. Very different from the ball pythons. She seems to like being out and not just want to run off. Every time I go to put her back I have to get the lid to the tub back on quick because she tries to dart back out.

[Darkbird]

Most of mine seem to not care, or actively don't want held. Some seem to enjoy having something to do, but who knows what they're pondering.

[Capt.Britain]

Snakes aren't like mammals. They don't need frequent social interaction in order to be psychologically healthy.
That being said, having multiple snakes will actually be perfectly fine! Even optimal if you want to hold one every day.

For example, if you have four snakes, you hold A on Monday, B on Tuesday, C on Wednesday, and D on Thursday. Then continue the rotation. That way, you get your snake fill, and the snakes get a break! Which is important, as some snakes can get stressed if they are handled too much.

[ZacharyPoller]

My BP puts up with being handled he like to crawl up my sleeve and wrap himself inside my bicep

[mechnut450]

Our snakes don't give a rat rear if they get handled, some do some don't.
As for a snake a with a special place in life I have ( still) alive my first rescued snake that I received in 1996 and my first purchased snake and they will never go any were if I can prevent it.
Sadly I not sure how much longer my rescues will cling to life poor boy over 20 years old and barely eating now which I think is sad but I still love my corn boy lol

[Pyrate81]

There was a period of about 2 years where I hardly touched my snakes because I lost interest in the hobby but I wasn't about to get out of it cause I made a commitment to my animals so I did the status quo with feeding and cleaning. Then my interest came back even stronger and I rotate handling between my guys depending on day and mood. Most seemed to not "care". The one who seemed affected by it was Wafer my albino black rat, he seemed unhappy with me for the lack of handling/play time so he decided to show me by pooping and peing down my shirt or on my bed on muliple occasions. Though it could just be projecting, he has been a lot better the last year.