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Handling more than once per day?

Snake Dave

Snake Dave

Schrödinger's cat
Would you say it's okay to handle a juvenile Corn more than once per day? I held Salazar for a few minutes at about 3:00 PM GMT, and it's now 22:02 PM GMT, so would handling for another few minutes do any harm?

Thanks

Dave
 
My first thought would be "How young of a juvenile?". The younger they are, the more likely they are to be irritated and anxious is they are disturbed multiple times each day. However, that's not necessarily going to be the case with all snakes. As they age, I would suspect that it's not as tough on them to deal with being handled more than once in a day and for some that are really fiesty it might be good to help calm them down. Personally, I try to only disturb my snakes once a day at most, especially when they are still young. But that's my personal preference...
 
Okay thanks for the advice, but he's not that young, coming up 7 months or so now. He doesn't seem too bothered anyway, I did take him out, he was a little fiesty, more so than earlier, but I expected that. But he's back in now and he's fine.
 
Just my personal opinion but if the snakes body language says its okay then its okay lol. I have always handled my two snakes at least twice a day except for 48hrs after feeding and they are both very friendly well mannered snakes. My year old Flakes will come to my hand once put in the tank and if I let him on the floor he spends 90% of the time on my legs. This prob may not have nothing to do with the amount I handle them but it hasn't hurt them in any way either. I think each snake is individual and they will let you know when they have had enougth ( they get more feisty squirmy etc)
 
So how do you tell when they are ok being handled? I am still learning snake body language my little guy will coil up when I reach into the tank but he doesn't strick when I pick him up he is just sorta like "Doe Dee Doe alrighty then" haha he is pretty mellow then he seems to enjoy being on my hands he explores all over them although arm hair had him a little confused haha. So back to my question what body language suggest they want to be left alone (as a not I only handle him once a day or so and not at all right now as he is digesting as I realized the bloody pet store was trying to feed him crickets so the guy is starved but he enjoyed his pinkie!)
 
I don't handle any of my snakes that much or that often, and this is especially true for hatchlings. Except for enclosure cleaning and feeding, I don't disturb them at all until their feeding response is well-established. I'd say that a good rule of thumb would be to limit handling until the snake is on fuzzies. I also don't handle any snake within 72 hours of feeding, or even longer if it was a large meal. I realize that some may disagree and that some may not be able to resist handling their hatchlings. Just putting my opinion/method out there. :)
 
Roy Munson said:
I don't handle any of my snakes that much or that often, and this is especially true for hatchlings. Except for enclosure cleaning and feeding, I don't disturb them at all until their feeding response is well-established. I'd say that a good rule of thumb would be to limit handling until the snake is on fuzzies. I also don't handle any snake within 72 hours of feeding, or even longer if it was a large meal. I realize that some may disagree and that some may not be able to resist handling their hatchlings. Just putting my opinion/method out there. :)
Click to expand...

I recently had a discussion with Jen P about this saying I handle my snakes at a minimum, especially hatchlings. Hold hatchlings only a couple minutes before feeding. My other snakes come out once a week for checking over, some stay out for a while but not for long. It's my feelings they are to be watched for the most part, not handled daily. JMO, susan
 
Roy Munson said:
I don't handle any of my snakes that much or that often, and this is especially true for hatchlings. Except for enclosure cleaning and feeding, I don't disturb them at all until their feeding response is well-established. I'd say that a good rule of thumb would be to limit handling until the snake is on fuzzies. I also don't handle any snake within 72 hours of feeding, or even longer if it was a large meal. I realize that some may disagree and that some may not be able to resist handling their hatchlings. Just putting my opinion/method out there. :)
Click to expand...

Is that just personal preference/what fits into your schedule? Or is it for the snake's health?

I'm asking because I'm starting to handle Eve a lot more now. I had her playing on my fingers for about 10 minutes this morning, the longest I've ever played with her in one go. She didn't seem particularly annoyed until the very end, which was my cue to put her back. But I only held her (other than transport to/from feeding) for a total of about 5 minutes the first month I had her.

Oh, and Eve is about 3 or 4 months old. I guess I should cool it?
 
I am by no means an expert I have only had my two snakes about six months so my opinion is only from personal observation of my two snakes not fact lol.
Murphy my youngest is only about 4mths old so I dont get him out as regular. He is still slightly skittish when I reach in the tank ( he will not slither away but he doesnt ever approch me . ) Flakes on the other hand spends most of his day out of his hides and laying on a log. If I open the tank within seconds he is on my arm and ready to come out I then watch to see if he seems in my opinion settled. he generally slithers around my arms etc then coils up on my shoulder like a parrot lol. I usual watch to see if he starts getting agitated ie moving faster as if trying to get away or seems nervous. I will also put him away if he curls on my shoulder just incase he wants peace and quite to rest etc. I tend to handle often but for short periods of time. ( ie 5mins or so) A few months back I took Flakes to my herp shop because I was worried about his size) a whole new issue (Paul the owner has great knowledge in reptiles & has owned the shop for over 20yrs) Falkes wrapped hiself round Pauls hand whilst he was serving customers etc, he almost forgot he was there and commented on what a calm snake he was.
As I say this is only from my own personal experience and is by no means fact but handling regular doesn't seem to harm my snakes in any way ...
 
I handle my fully grown snake once a day, occasionally twice, for about 5 or 10 minutes. Except after feeding or around shedding time.

I personally believe that he likes coming out, as he isn't jumpy and has never struck. But he has also never crawled onto my arm when I've opened the vivarium, so maybe not lol.

I thikn it really depends on the nature and age of the snake - there is no right or wrong answer.
 
I agree with Dean and Susan, I only handle the mature snakes. All the others are handled at a minimum, for cleaning etc.
The only reason being, hatchlings/young snakes stress easily and I'm lucky enough to own adults.
When I was new to snakes though, the answer would of been different.
I couldn't leave them alone I was so excited. no sooner had I put the little guy back than I'd be back over checking on him again.
Any newbie who resists the temptation to handle their new snake is better than me. LOL As to how often you should handle them, read through all the advice your gonna get here, then make up your own mind. Then post as to how your getting on with your choice.
MIKE
 
Thanks Mike, yeah I know that feeling well! Generally I only handle when necessary (so I have been quite good), like today, I had to weigh him and clean out his tank, so it was just a short little burst. But the other day I just had to handle him lol, because I hadn't done so for weeks (not properly at least), because of his shedding problems (he had extra shed on his tail which thankfully I managed to remove eventually).

I also have a 2 year old Royal, but she only arrived on Saturday so handling's out of the question with her. I'm going to give her a feed on Saturday, see how she does with that, then maybe a few days later I'll have 5 minutes with her.
 
Sanebedlam said:
I realized the bloody pet store was trying to feed him crickets so the guy is starved but he enjoyed his pinkie!)
Click to expand...

It's amazing pet stores can keep any animal alive for any amount of time.
 
This is why I have 3 corns now!! We love to handle them. Mine are all 07', just got my new one today. Will not handle him for a wk. He was hatched 7/7/07. Youngin'! Then I will let him eat & settle into his new viv & will include the container he is in now. My first corn was from an Exotic pet shop, where he was handled for 2 wks & he adjusted really well, at 22wks old now he is handled about an hr. a night (not during the day) 4 days a wk. Now he just came out of blue & just ate, so its been over a wk since I handled him prior to his eating. He has been hiding. I don't bother them when they do this. When mine want to come out they come out of hiding & I open the lid & let them slither out. This works best for me. But its taken mths to figure this out. And they do enjoy being handled. I take them out doors & they will sit for an 1/2 hr. on our orange tree just taking it all in. Its grt! :cool:

Anyway, not sure I answered a questioned just gave you my experience & then decided to run off into left field w/ it & ramble....lol :eek1:

Take Care! :)
 
I know isn't that wild! 7-7-7 CRAZY! My 7yr. old son named him Grayson Manners...lol Sounds like a guy from a SOAP..lol

I do like 'Seven' as a name.... I'll see if I can change his mind...
 
:-offtopic OMG I just noticed my son will be 7 on Friday! How CRAZY is that! 7-7-7-7...lol

I have this thing w/ 14's too. That's a whole other thread...lol :grin01:
 
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