Is this ok for a pet owner? (Not a breeder)

[KingWheatley]

I'm not a breeder. I don't intend to breed him. I only own one pet (one snake.) He eats perfectly fine. He poops perfectly fine. And his temperature is perfect. And his set up is snug. He shows no signs of stress. He seems comfortable with me. He pokes his head out whenever I enter the room, and I make a certain noise to indicate that I'm not feeding him at that particular time. Sometimes he will come out and crawl up my arm to be picked up if I offer my hand. On the other hand, when it's time for feeding, I'll make a noise with the feeding tongs before taking the mouse out and putting it in. The majority of the time he will strike from his hide, rather than coming up close.

I do not touch him for 48 hours at least after a feeding.

But when he isn't digesting, I take him out for a while. He seems fine with it as long as I'm not picking him up too often. He likes my blanket, I think. Yesterday he discovered my hair, and decided to curl around my pony tail and absolutely refused to come down on his own. (Can snakes feel how soft something is??)

He is certainly unique in how curious he is. He is still shy, especially with new people. (I had a friend over and he returned to the previous behavior of tensing up, smacking away fingers with his body, and balling up unless I am holding him.)

Is it ok to be handling him so frequently? If I were a breeder, I know for certain that it would be detrimental to the breeding in some way... However as a casual pet owner, this actually seems beneficial? Or maybe he is just a freak of nature by personality and it just so happens that his personality fits with my raising habits??

[Eric Alan]

As long as he keeps doing normal BP things (eating, pooping, shedding, etc), then there's no reason to stop doing what you're doing. They're each unique and can handle (ha!) different amounts of handling. Enjoy him!

[KingWheatley]

As long as he keeps doing normal BP things (eating, pooping, shedding, etc), then there's no reason to stop doing what you're doing. They're each unique and can handle (ha!) different amounts of handling. Enjoy him!

Oh! The shedding hasn't happened yet. How frequently do they shed as babies?

[Eric Alan]

Depends on how well they're eating, but usually once a month-is about right for hatchlings.

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[KingWheatley]

Depends on how well they're eating, but usually once a month-is about right for hatchlings.

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Aaah. His eyes have gotten darker. Maybe it's getting close to that time.

[cchardwick]

Handling is bad for breeders? I've never heard that one before...

[KingWheatley]

Handling is bad for breeders? I've never heard that one before...

I haven't either. But there are some things like very specific temperature, feeding procedures, and other highly specific and strategic things that breeders do that makes some breeders feel that it is the ONLY way to handle snakes.