How long do you wait before handling a new snake?

[instinct27]

Just curious.

[Johnny Hive X]

I just got mine and I'm giving it a week.

[lillyorchid]

I say a week minimum

[Stewart_Reptiles]

No handling until he eats his first meal for me!

[hoax]

A couple of good meals

[Rcar77]

I wait about a week and make sure he eats than i'll start handling him but I had one that took about just less than a month to eat so i made sure he had a few meals in him. I know it drive people nuts not to handle them but its better to make sure your snake is eating first.

[Bruce Whitehead]

I let them get a meal in, but I still keep handling to a bare minimum until they have 3-4 meals in them.

Even then, once settled and eating, I never overhandle any of the snakes. At most everyone might get 10-15 minutes every 5 days.

Bruce

[roosterman2173]

The only thing I do is spot clean and water on the first week. Then I offer food on the second week and if it takes food I wait 24 hours and then I'll take them out for a little while. If it don't eat I wait another week.

[Somed00d]

It depends on the snake. some will tolerate handling and eat immediatly and some will stress and try to hide. you have to "read" the snake and judge. However it's a good idea to wait at least a week.

Richard

[starmom]

I wait until after their first meal (usually within the first couple of days) and then I keep handling to a minimum for the next couple of weeks.