New BP owner here!!

[RWillinnable]

OK I am a new owner of a 6 month old, 24 inch male BP named Shahrazad. He is as cute as a button and seems to be settling in nicely. He was raised on live feed, so I have decided to stick with live feed for now at least. The place where I got him from said wait for four days and then feed him and I did and he ate like a champ. They then said that i could handle him as much as I want after that, but I am in no hurry.

Having never owned a snake or really spent much time with them, I am concerned about the whole handling thing. He hissed at me once when I was moving a couple things around his cage, but made no aggressive movement. I have yet to handle him at all and because of what I have read here, I think I will wait until he eats at least two times more.

So regarding handling, what are some good approaches to handling for the first time? What does the hissing mean? I firmly plan on having this guy with me for decades to come, so my main concern is building a foundation of a relationship with him and his comfort levels. Honestly, I don't care if it takes a couple years until we are simpatico together as long as he never is stressed by it. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanx,

Rachel

[khara]

Congrats on the new BP and the successful feed. I think it is great that you are willing to let him settle in a bit more before handling. That should make the transition very smooth and cut waaay down on stress.

I'm a new BP owner myself. I've had Sobe for 4 months. When I handle Sobe I try to move deliberately but slow and steady. No sudden movements. It will get better as he gets used to being handled more.

Oh yeah, forgot to add that I think the hissing is just his way of telling you that he doesn't want to be bothered.

[frankykeno]

Welcome to the forum Rachel!

We didn't handle ours much until they had eaten a few times for us either, and especially hands off for 24-48 hours after they eat always. Once the snakes were settled in and eating regularily we just started short handling sessions each evening after dusk. I think at first it was only a few minutes each time and then each week or so we'd increase it a bit more as long as the snakes were not obviously stressed or fighting to escape or hiding in a ball.

When we open their enclosures we just gently stroke them partway down their backs to let them know a lift is about to happen. Now that they are used to being handled sometimes they will hang around peering out the tub. I sometimes wonder if they are waiting to get let out LOL (or they just hope a mouse or rat might wander by!)

So far we've never been bitten and only hissed at once when Keena was heavily in shed (who wouldn't be in a mood). We're very lucky that neither of ours is very headshy though they do not like sudden movements directly at the side of their heads, but do seem to like chin rubs. I think if you just take it slowly and consistently, it will likely be a great experience for you and one your snake will not mind at all.


~~Joanna~~

[Strider]

What are your temps humidity and cage size?

[HelicopterPilot]

Don't back off when you want to handle .As long as your not overhandling your BP don't back off when they hiss. It will leave your bp thinking "hmm hissing will make him go away"

[jglass38]

All good advice so far. I would switch to frozen/thawed prey as soon as possible. Live is not necessary and as the prey size gets bigger you risk biting, scarring and possibly death to your snake if the prey fights back. I just bought 4 new BPs in the last week. I was told they wouldnt eat F/T only live. Well all of them at F/T the first time offered. Just a suggestion!

Jamie

[tigerlily]

Switching to f/t is a good idea if that's what you are most comfortable with, but if you want to feed live that's fine too. Just make sure you do so responsibly and find out what works best for you. Most of the big breeders feed live because thawing out hundreds of mice and rats just isn't feasible, and can do so safely. This is a very hot topic and as long as you do your homework I'm sure you'll do fine.

[frankykeno]

Oh btw Rachel I did want to compliment you on your great attitude. Sometimes we new owners get so caught up in our beautiful snakes we don't look at the big picture or the long term gain in taking the slow and steady approach to things.

Glad to see you join the forum Rachel!


~~Jo~~

[jglass38]

It is definitely a hot button topic but I felt it prudent to put my opinion out there. It doesn't take much research to see what is the right decision. The key words in your sentence is "the big breeders" and "safely". A new owner isnt a big breeder and certainly doesn't have the experience necessary to do it safely. I plan to do quite a bit of breeding in the next few years and have NO intention of breeding feeders which means frozen is my choice. It is the right decision in most cases. Just my opinion though...

[kavmon]

sounds like things are going fine. keep everything steady and constant, feed on the same day every week, do routine handling. most will come around and not strike or hiss alot. some bp's just don't tolerate handling well. alot of babies and juvies are hungry,snappy and defensive. most of the adults are alot more relaxed. feed what you decide is best, and what your snake will eat steady.


vaughn