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  1. #1
    Registered User LadyByrd's Avatar
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    How often can I/should I handle my bp?

    How often can I handle my bps? I really enjoy handling them, but I want to make sure that I am not over-handling them.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Registered User piedpython's Avatar
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    How often can I/should I handle my bp?

    Let them settle in for about two weeks and make sure they ate a few meals and then you can handle them daily except for feeding day and during shedding. And most importantly wait 48 hours after feeding so they do not regurge.
    Last edited by piedpython; 02-13-2014 at 09:57 PM.
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  4. #3
    BPnet Senior Member Slim's Avatar
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    Re: How often can I/should I handle my bp?

    Quote Originally Posted by piedpython View Post
    Let them settle in for about two weeks and make sure they ate a few meals and then you can handle them daily except for feeding day and during shedding. And most importantly wait 48 hours after feeding so they do not regurge.
    THIS!!! Plus, the more your handle you snakes, the more you'll get a feel for their individual personalities. Some tolerate regular handling, and become very relaxed. Some never really take to it much. The key is learning your animal and being able to read it's stress signs.
    Last edited by Slim; 02-13-2014 at 10:28 PM. Reason: Sp
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  5. #4
    BPnet Veteran Raven01's Avatar
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    Re: How often can I/should I handle my bp?

    Regarding regurge. I've yet to have any snake regurge and have handled them the day after feeding if they've made a mess of their enclosure. Now, I don't walk around with them or try to get them to pose, they go into a holding tub while I fix whatever mess they've made and then return them to their clean habitat.

  6. #5
    Registered User Wizard's Avatar
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    Re: How often can I/should I handle my bp?

    Quote Originally Posted by Slim View Post
    THIS!!! Plus, the more your handle you snakes, the more you'll get a feel for their individual personalities. Some tolerate regular handling, and become very relaxed. Some never really take to it much. The key is learning your animal and being able to read it's stress signs.
    and THIS!!!

    Just make sure you support their whole body when handling them and come from underneath the head with the shy or nervous snake.


    /EDIT/ And watch out for "sausage tail"...or be prepared to get pooped on.
    Last edited by Wizard; 02-13-2014 at 11:01 PM.
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  7. #6
    BPnet Veteran patientz3ro's Avatar
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    Re: How often can I/should I handle my bp?

    I gave Ajja a little time to settle in when I first got her, but my hand was in the cage every day to get her used to my scent. The first few months, she was only picked up when she climbed up my arm. I still wait for her to come to me when I take her out, and I never approach her from above or lift a hide off of her. Aside from a week I spent in San Antonio, she's been handled every day, and hasn't shown a single sign of handling stress. Not everyone will agree, but I think she knows I'm not a threat. In fact, my theory is that she has learned to associate my scent with the security of being "at home," in her cage.

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  8. #7
    BPnet Senior Member
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    Re: How often can I/should I handle my bp?

    Quote Originally Posted by LadyByrd View Post
    How often can I handle my bps? I really enjoy handling them, but I want to make sure that I am not over-handling them.

    Thanks
    There's no set answer. Some tolerate being handled more often than others.

    I think you can handle them whenever you want, just watch how they're reacting. If they act stressed or anxious, put 'em back and leave them alone for a while. You'll learn which ones seem to like being handled, which ones tolerate being handled, and which ones handling causes stress to.

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