sarcare
06-28-2008, 08:36 AM
Ok, I've been reading lots of older threads while I wait for my snake to settle in, and I've learned a lot, but I have one question that I haven't seen directly answered. Probably because it is obvious/stupid, but here goes!
I brought my snake home from the store on Thursday, but prior to that I'd been in on Tuesday and Wednesday to see their snakes. While there I spent time handling the snake I purchased for at least five min each time. She was very comfortable with being handled at that time. Naturally when being transported she was more skittish--we put her in her plastic transport container on Wednesday, but her transition to the 20g tank was a bit scary. She stretched out in the tank, but I had to scoot her over to put her water dish in--it had been in the transport container when it was at the store. That caused her to FREAK out and run around the tank looking for a way out. Within min though she settled down in a corner to watch the viv. Since then she has retreated into a hide in the middle of the tank and I've only seen her make brief exploratory forays since then. (sorry for the unrelated details, I ramble)
Anyway, my question is about her level of comfort at being handled. After she settles in some, say by Monday or Tuesday, will she retain her comfort level at being handled? She is still somewhat of a baby--I can't recall exactly how long she is, but between a foot and 20 inches. She was regularly handled at the store, and eagerly ate the day before I picked her up.
So, will she need to be accustomed to being handled again?
I brought my snake home from the store on Thursday, but prior to that I'd been in on Tuesday and Wednesday to see their snakes. While there I spent time handling the snake I purchased for at least five min each time. She was very comfortable with being handled at that time. Naturally when being transported she was more skittish--we put her in her plastic transport container on Wednesday, but her transition to the 20g tank was a bit scary. She stretched out in the tank, but I had to scoot her over to put her water dish in--it had been in the transport container when it was at the store. That caused her to FREAK out and run around the tank looking for a way out. Within min though she settled down in a corner to watch the viv. Since then she has retreated into a hide in the middle of the tank and I've only seen her make brief exploratory forays since then. (sorry for the unrelated details, I ramble)
Anyway, my question is about her level of comfort at being handled. After she settles in some, say by Monday or Tuesday, will she retain her comfort level at being handled? She is still somewhat of a baby--I can't recall exactly how long she is, but between a foot and 20 inches. She was regularly handled at the store, and eagerly ate the day before I picked her up.
So, will she need to be accustomed to being handled again?