What is an appropriate handling time?

[kriselattime]

What do you guys think is the right amount of time for handling a BP? Also how frequent? I worry about stressing mine out or making him fearful of me.

[paroxysm]

honestly i handle mine way too much. a lot of people handle once or twice a week for a few minutes, some handle once a day for 10 minutes, etc. however because of issues w my mental health and panic attacks, i handle my bp multiple times a day, for at least 10 minutes each time. yep it's bad but i need to teach myself other coping mechanisms. so i really can't answer your question (note: even tho he is handled very frequently he is eating, drinking, shedding, pooping, etc great. very healthy bp. i only don't handle when he is about to shed or after eating)


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[kriselattime]

honestly i handle mine way too much. a lot of people handle once or twice a week for a few minutes, some handle once a day for 10 minutes, etc. however because of issues w my mental health and panic attacks, i handle my bp multiple times a day, for at least 10 minutes each time. yep it's bad but i need to teach myself other coping mechanisms. so i really can't answer your question (note: even tho he is handled very frequently he is eating, drinking, shedding, pooping, etc great. very healthy bp. i only don't handle when he is about to shed or after eating)


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I understand. I worry that I handle mine too much (a couple times a week). I've cut back a lot since I've had him (I used to check on him every day and pick him up to make sure he hadn't pooped/peed) but I didn't know if there was an agreed upon "safe time." For you it sounds like the handling is therapeutic; which is great as long as the snake isn't suffering because of it (doesn't sound like it).

[JustinGatCat]

It really depends on the snake. Some love to be out of the cage, others are more shy. I hold mine anywhere from 10 minutes to a couple hours(I was watching a movie and he just chilled in my hands.) but I'd keep typical Handlings under 30 minutes. I also never handle my snake a day before,the day of, and a day after a feeding. Also, I try not to handle my snake during shed. There really isn't a set "time" to hold your snake. It's entirely up to the individual, and you of course. But to avoid a BP getting tooo stressed during handling, there are a few things you can do to make the handling experience for both of you tolerable and even over time comforting:

Try to handle your snake in the evening and night. They're nocturnal so your snake will be more active

Keep your snakes away from bright lights. Long exposure to bright lights can definitely stress and even hurt a BP. Try to keep it in a modestly lit room, away from direct sunlight or bright light

Keep other people and pets to a minimum. The less moving animals around a BP, the better. While some, of course, couldn't care less, timid snakes prefer a more relaxed environment.

Keep your movements slow and away from the head. When a snake feels scared, they will always try to protect their head. So keep your movements underneath or behind the snake, and make sure they're fluid and slow

Taming snakes takes time and patience. You'll see to it that your snake will become a charming little character once it's used to being held


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[paroxysm]

definitely agree with JustinGatCat. as long as your snake is not stressed out (no issues w eating shedding or anything) it doesn't matter too much. and yes kriselattime it is very therapeutic to me. i have other pets (two cats and a dog) but a snake for me is much more satisfying and helps me calm down more. much love


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[kriselattime]

Than you so much, this was really helpful!

[SPIDERBALL]

I handle mine at least a few minutes a day every day. Unless they just ate, or they're in shed.

[Mexecutioner]

I handle mine for half hour at a time and two to three times a week I never handle on the day of feeding just so his stress levels don't rise and always leave him 48 hour once he's been fed sometimes longer than half hour if he's just chilled but normally he'll sit and chill then after about 25 mine he will start moving away as if he's trying to find a better place to hide so that's when I put him back and he will always go straight back into his hide

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[redshepherd]

It depends on the individual and usually their age. (hatchlings normally should be handled less)

I handle mine a couple times a week, 5~10 minutes each time as well. If I'm having a photo sesh of them, up to 20 minutes.

[hollowlaughter]

Mine's out more at times, like I'll let him free-roam in my snakeproofed room for a bit. He's also fine with being carried around for extended times.

As the others have said, it depends a lot on your snake's personality. Mine was bought specifically because he was still gregarious and curious, not snappy and defensive, even on a busy reptile show floor. I wanted a less skittish BP and prioritized that over the morph.

I'd say it was definitely worth it, since he's yet to go off feed or show any other telltale signs of stress and that was exactly what I was hoping for from him.