waking up my snake

[dakski]

As a side note - it sounds like you take your snake out of their enclosure to feed them? There's no need to do that - it's an old-school technique based on misunderstanding of snakes' feeding response. Just feed them in their own enclosure.

I agree 100%. Feeding outside of the enclosure is not a safe or helpful practice.

Secondly, and in addition to good advice already given on the your enclosure, it should have at least two snug hides. One on the warm side and one on the cool side. You snake should never have to choice safety over thermoregulating. Even if the enclosure is small, I assume so is your BP. You should be looking at hides that are tight around your BP.

Here are some good examples of easy to clean and inexpensive hides.

https://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

I also recommend using water bowls that aren't pourers and jagged. They are difficult to clean. Look into something like this: https://www.reptilebasics.com/small-water-bowl

They come in different sizes, but that's probably a good size for a young BP in a small enclosure.

For what's worth, I like reptile basics, but you can get the above in many places. I have no affiliation with them, I just like their offerings.

Finally, on handling and waking a snake up.

1. Don't handle the day of or 1-2 days after feeding.

2. There are times when you need to get your snake out. Cleaning the tank, changing water, etc. Inevitably you will wake them up, especially if during the day. Not every time, but sometimes. Many snakes will not come out and explore. My boas and carpet python are often out and about, but also sleeping sometimes. Usually opening the tank wakes them up, but not always. Further, BP's are almost always hiding, it's what they do. My BP does it a lot. So do my corn snakes if it's during the day.

My thoughts are different than the above. When you need to get your snake out, or even want to (although I wouldn't encourage over handling or over bothering), there are ways to do it that limit the stress not he snake.

I hook train all my snakes that are shy or strong feeders. That means if out and about, I tap them with the handle of the hook to let them know they are going to be picked up. This also works if the snake is sleeping. I do not make this a practice, but a soiled tank needs to be cleaned, etc. If not out and about, and in a hide, I like to gently move the hide a little bit, to let them know I am there. Sometimes they come out, sometimes they don't. Depending on the snake, I will then gently life the hide and see what they are up to. Then I will gently tap, then pick up. IMO - many snakes will naturally hide and you don't want to destroy trust. However, you don't have to by being respectful and gentle with handling and removing them. I wouldn't just reach in and grab a snake, but the hook lets them know they are going to be coming out. It also gives them time to wake up and understand what's going happen. To me, this enhances routine and trust.

I do not do this daily. However, when a tank needs to be cleaned or water changed, etc. I do this. I think a lot has to do with approach and how much trust you already have with your snake. Once trust is built, it's less of an issue.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Weight the options and you snake and see what works best for both of you.

Any questions on hook training, or anything else, just ask.

Good luck and keep us posted.

EDIT: I just saw your naming thread. If your snake has only been with you a week. NO HANDLING AT ALL. Only remove to clean the tank, etc. Try to clean and change water, etc. all at once so you don't disturb your snake more than you have to.

Do not handle your snake until he/she has eaten 3 consecutive meals for you. Then gentle handling briefly (3-5 minutes max) 2X a week, then 3X for a little longer, etc. I recommend not handling a BP more than 3X a week. They are shy creatures.