What do you guys/girls mean when you say that you handle your BPs?

[Houzi88]

What do people mean when they take theirs out and handle them? I just hold mine and about 1 minute later he finds somewhere to run and just hide (wrinkles in sheets/clothes, etc.). I know this is how they live their lives, but is everyone elses BPs more active. Mine doesn't do much but I'm guessing because it's a baby and it can't fully wrap around my neck and arms.

[LadyOhh]

You are handling yours...

It just depends on how long and how.

Sometimes I keep one out with me when I'm out on the computer, around my neck or arm...

Babies are a bit more difficult, but adults... no problem

Hold them. That's pretty much it. Body contact.

[MiniJ83]

Vincent and I will play catch. We use the little mice cat toys.

[BMorrison]

Furio enjoys watching Deadliest Catch with me

[Mindibun]

Well, Adalae and I play hide and seek. She hides, I seek.

Not quite as fun as the game of tag my older one liked to play. She was always running off somewhere...

Mostly though, Adalae will curl up in my lap and sleep or relax while I'm on the computer or watching tv or reading. I only handle her during "quiet times" and when no guests are over. Her personality needs that calmness.

[Seneschal]

Well, how and when and how long I hold them depends on both my mood, and the snake in question. I never hold within 24 hours of feeding, or about 5 days post-feed-poop day, because I've had one snake poo and pee all the way down my grandma's hallway (ON THE WALL! ) before as I ran her to her tub. XDD Nevar again, I say!!! A 2000g snake should NOT be able to hold that much water!!!

Anyways...with my more outgoing snake, Matika, I'm not afraid to hold her any time I want aside from the aforementioned times...even in shed, she's cool as a cucumber and doesn't mind being held on my shoulders, around my waist (she fancies herself a designer, living belt...) on my arm, occasionally on my ankle, in my lap...she doesn't mind being passed around either, and is really good with being handed off to visiters who want to hold a snake but who would totally NOT be okay with a skittish one. She even dealt with a downs syndrome 4 year old "petting" her head, once!

Chocobo, my pastel male, however, is still flighty and horrified to be held---or to watch someone walk by his tub. So, he doesn't come out too much, and he's happy with that. He gets examined once or twice a week, weighed, and held while I clean the cage, but not any longer than 15-20 minutes to stress him. (Well, the occasional photo shoot, but he glares at me the whole time!)

Laura is another who doesn't get held too often, since she was found loose in somebody's yard about...oh...six months ago, underweight with cuts and old scars, and the tip of her tail cut off. She's skittish, but at least she doesn't strike at me and hiss every time I open her cage! She'll never be a "pass around the room" snake, but she's opening up...so, all of her "handling" is in a quiet place, alone, with me relaxed. Watching tv with her under my back or something.

Draccy is much the same, though flighty, so I have to keep an eye on her.

Basilica before I lost her was like Matika; calm and relaxed, never hissy, though somewhat jumpy--but for a baby, REALLY calm.

I think you have to just take it on a case by case basis; what's best for the snake? If the snake acts distressed, it's time to put them up! If they're good, it's okay. *shrug* Just watch the animal's reactions; some are fine with sitting on your shoulders while you vacuum or wash dishes, and some aren't. I think it's best to let the snake tell you what's okay and what's not, eh?

[dsirkle]

What do people mean when they take theirs out and handle them? I just hold mine and about 1 minute later he finds somewhere to run and just hide (wrinkles in sheets/clothes, etc.). I know this is how they live their lives, but is everyone elses BPs more active. Mine doesn't do much but I'm guessing because it's a baby and it can't fully wrap around my neck and arms.

One of the things that I like about Ball Pythons is that they are not super active. I wouldn't like to care for snakes that try to make a fast getaway every time that you open their enclosure or take them out. I recently bought a baby Children's Python and he is proving to be a handful in comparison.