How often do you handle your ball python?

[rabernet]

So you think no matter how often you handle that a snakes personality is a snakes personality if you handle onece a month or every day? Same % chance they would strike you?

From my observations with my own collection, yes I do think that.

They are wild animals, when they are "off" can and will strike at you.

You'll learn to be able to read each of your animals and tell when they just prefer not to be bothered.

[Tony25]

Makes me feel better that they would be just as tame. if i handle them 1 time every 2 weeks as compared to 5 days a week.

[kris]

The only days I don't handle my snakes is on feeding day and 2 days after that. When I do have them out it's for 10-15 minutes at a time.


Obviously when they are shedding I leave them alone.

Yeah i agree with that. About 15 mins plus per day apart from shedding and eating times. My royal (bp) loves it!!!!!

[rabernet]

Makes me feel better that they would be just as tame. if i handle them 1 time every 2 weeks as compared to 5 days a week.

Yup, in fact - bottom line - handling is for OUR pleasure - our snakes just tolerate it. They'd LOVE the 2 week break! LOL

[bearhart]

I handle everyday except pre-shed, post-feed, etc. Usually, I try to only take him out if he's out or at least "on-duty" with his head hanging out of his hide.

Its really encouraging to hear about so many peope integrating the snakes into their lives. I think its really easy to get wrapped up in the "everything has to be just so for the snake" trip. I think alot of the really hardcore people really love their snakes but are more into the technical aspect of keeping them.

For one thing, any animal on this planet (especially land animals) has to have a reasonable tolerance to its environment or else it would simply go extinct. Your snake is not going to keel over if he's a few degrees off for a while - if ever.

Unless someone really doesn't bond well with animals, I would encourage them to rely mostly on their relationship with the snake to guide them. Any rules like "only handle them when X because of Y" are practically meaningless and, in fact, destructive. When I came home from the pet store (a snake store mind you) I had some good general advice and I was so happy with my snake. But, the more I read and the more I researched the more I became paranoid. Everybody has advice: "don't do this, don't do that. Perfectly identical hides. 95.6767 degrees." bah that's all way overkill and I think totally discourages people having an enjoyable pet. Its not to say that these things won't make your snake more comfortable but I think what happens is that there is this hidden implication that, if things aren't just so, horrible things will happen. That's just not true.

I don't handle my snake after eating because I can appreciate how I feel after stuffing myself. Also, I can tell when he's clearly taking the day off. Sometimes he's not that outgoing but I get him out anyway because he's my pet. It's just like having a cat. Sometimes they're into it, sometimes they'll chew your hand off if you don't leave them alone, and sometimes you go and pick them up and pet them even if they protest a bit.

[Ekama Exotics]

I handle adults at least twice a week. My babies I handle everyday. I don't handle any of them on feeding day or 2-3 days after, depending on their personality. My movers I can't have out too long, about 20 minutes. But, I love my Mitch... I do household chores and whatnot with him just hangin out

As far as Kane pulling back in a jerky motion, that's only natural. Jerking back is how they react when they feel threatened. The more you handle him, the more used to your touch he will get. While you're resocializing him, go at his pace... nice slow gentle motions are best and when bringing a hand near him, approach from behind so he's not threatened.

It's all about rebuilding that trust. You guys will be back to normal in no time

[NickP]

I handle everyday except pre-shed, post-feed, etc. Usually, I try to only take him out if he's out or at least "on-duty" with his head hanging out of his hide.

Its really encouraging to hear about so many peope integrating the snakes into their lives. I think its really easy to get wrapped up in the "everything has to be just so for the snake" trip. I think alot of the really hardcore people really love their snakes but are more into the technical aspect of keeping them.

For one thing, any animal on this planet (especially land animals) has to have a reasonable tolerance to its environment or else it would simply go extinct. Your snake is not going to keel over if he's a few degrees off for a while - if ever.

Unless someone really doesn't bond well with animals, I would encourage them to rely mostly on their relationship with the snake to guide them. Any rules like "only handle them when X because of Y" are practically meaningless and, in fact, destructive. When I came home from the pet store (a snake store mind you) I had some good general advice and I was so happy with my snake. But, the more I read and the more I researched the more I became paranoid. Everybody has advice: "don't do this, don't do that. Perfectly identical hides. 95.6767 degrees." bah that's all way overkill and I think totally discourages people having an enjoyable pet. Its not to say that these things won't make your snake more comfortable but I think what happens is that there is this hidden implication that, if things aren't just so, horrible things will happen. That's just not true.

I don't handle my snake after eating because I can appreciate how I feel after stuffing myself. Also, I can tell when he's clearly taking the day off. Sometimes he's not that outgoing but I get him out anyway because he's my pet. It's just like having a cat. Sometimes they're into it, sometimes they'll chew your hand off if you don't leave them alone, and sometimes you go and pick them up and pet them even if they protest a bit.

Listen to bearhart. He knows what he's talking about I was paranoid and confused just like he said, but after following his advices my BPs doing GREAT

[Larry Suttles]

I'm in the snakeroom messing with them everyday. They get a break after a meal and during breeding season. After all that's why we have them

[cheryls]

This is a good thread. It was originated by someone who's at the tail end of my story. My daughter just left for college and I've worked hard to handle the snake despite a serious fear. I'm glad I'm doing it! Otherwise in a year or two, when my daughter takes Dakota away, he might not be used to handling any more.

[Ragermack]

Monty loves it when we pet him. He even lifts his head so we can rub under his chin. He even comes up to our faces and flicks his tongue at our noses or lips. Then sometimes he rest his head on our noses. After that he ALWAYS goes for the glasses.

Severus is the same. He will put his head between my fingers to get his chin and head rub. He has pulled off my glasses a couple of times and he rubs noses like an eskimo BP LOL. He watches TV with me nightly except for shed days and Monday's because he feeds every Sunday.

While we are hanging out on Sunday I thaw his rat and heat it in hot water. I dump the rat out of the plastic bag into the center of his feeding tub. He usually strikes and wraps up while he is still wrapped up on my hand. I put him in the tub until he finishes and then put him in his enclosure until Tuesday night.