How soon after a regurgitation can I handle my snake?

[DVirginiana]

Didn't you say in another thread that you had handled him for 30 minutes prior to the regurge? (correct me if I'm wrong) That's a pretty long time and could be stressful. I'd personally recommend not handling for so long at once even after you start handling again, but that can really stress out a snake especially if it's prone to being a bit nervous or jumpy.
Like everyone else has said though, you can't tell what exactly caused the regurge, so you have to use the process of elimination (in this case, eliminating handling/husbandry stress) to figure out what caused it.

[tbowman]

This was answered in your other thread, you asked what you could do to help your BP that regurged. What you can do is keep his stress level as low as you possibly can until he can hold a meal down. Handling can very easily stress out a BP.

It's your snake and you can do what you want to do with it. But you're asking us, and you're not going to get the answer you want by posting multiple threads asking the same question. It's hard to do but you're just gonna have to wait it out.

[Eric Alan]

If the size wasn't the problem than what is?


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Unfortunately, he didn't tell me that either, which is why I suggested the troubleshooting method that I did.

Take our advice what it's worth though. We're just some folks on their computers offering advice to a fellow keeper with no expectation of personal gain beyond the satisfaction of knowing that maybe we helped a snake feel better and maybe we helped you understand your snake a little better like so many others have helped us.

[LivingwithBalls]

I'm sorry, but I still just don't understand. I'm not trying to be annoying or anything, but why couldn't I handle him after, say 5 days? I just don't see any harm in it. Of course I wouldn't handle a few days before feeding and a few days after. But he's not going to be eating for a while, so why couldn't I?


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[tbowman]

Once again, because it will stress him out. Ball Pythons don't like to be handled, they like to hide. Simple as that.

[DVirginiana]

I'm sorry, but I still just don't understand. I'm not trying to be annoying or anything, but why couldn't I handle him after, say 5 days? I just don't see any harm in it. Of course I wouldn't handle a few days before feeding and a few days after. But he's not going to be eating for a while, so why couldn't I?


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Because it still stresses them out. Think of it kind of like a human driving; it's not very stressful (more stressful for some than others), but you are being jostled around and having to be very alert. Normally it's not a problem, but imagine you're just getting over a terrible stomach flu-- then driving around might make you sick.

[LivingwithBalls]

Because it still stresses them out. Think of it kind of like a human driving; it's not very stressful (more stressful for some than others), but you are being jostled around and having to be very alert. Normally it's not a problem, but imagine you're just getting over a terrible stomach flu-- then driving around might make you sick.

Yes, and after a few days the flu goes away and your fine.


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[LivingwithBalls]

Once again, because it will stress him out. Ball Pythons don't like to be handled, they like to hide. Simple as that.

So I should just never handle him in general?


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[DVirginiana]

Jeez... If you think we're all wrong about this and want to handle your snake anyway, why even ask? Asking multiple times isn't going to get you a different answer.

Also, the residual stress from a regurge does not necessarily go away after a few days. Handling for half an hour could very well have caused or played a part in the regurge. No one knows for sure what caused it except the snake, and it's not talking lol.

[DVirginiana]

So I should just never handle him in general?


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If you want him to be at his calmest and 'happiest', yeah sort of. I keep handling of my BP to a minimum for this reason. Five or ten minutes is a long handling session for me.

But the main reason you're not doing it now is that you need to be absolutely 100% sure that the regurge wasn't caused by any hidden health problems and eliminating all other stress is the only way to do this.