Handling too much/not enough?

[jiva]

I was wondering if there was an appropriate amount of time to handle my snakes. I want them to get used to me handling them, but I dont want to handle them so much that they would get stressed out. Any oppinions on what would be too much or not enough?

 

[Voodoo]

After they've settled in, I'd say handling them once a day for 15 - 30 minutes is enough, although more certainly can't hurt.

You just want to make sure you give them at least 48 hours after eating before you handle them.

 

[Lennycorn]

I would go with Voodoo but whats the age of the snake? By your join date I say three months old.
Hatchling need a little less handling time but for 3 months you can go with Voodoo post.

 

[jiva]

Thanks. That is what I have been doing but I wanted to check that this was good. The snakes are about 6 months old or so and I have had them for about 3 months.

 

[MegF.]

It actually depends a lot upon the snake itself. I've had babies that are as mellow as can be and seem to be completely comfortable with being handled. I also have had animals that were complete spaz cases that were obviously very stressed from any handling at all. Most of those cases mellowed as they got older. I left them alone as much as possible and only handled them to photograph, weigh or feed. They generally suddenly calmed down at around 18 months to a year without me doing a thing. Mellow babies usually remain mellow for life.

 

[Lennycorn]

It actually depends a lot upon the snake itself. I've had babies that are as mellow as can be and seem to be completely comfortable with being handled.
Mellow babies usually remain mellow for life.

Is this true with all the morphs you have incountered. I mean it's not a trait thing right?

 

[MegF.]

Nope, not that I can tell. I've found that any that I've had that were mellow from day one have remained that way, especially if held on a regular basis. My amel was like that, my lav and some of the Okeetees. My one Okeetee female was a complete terror as a baby so I left her strictly alone except for necessary handling. Around 18 months old, she suddenly calmed down and is now one of my most calm snakes. It's not necessarily bred in either. One of the offspring of one of my mellowest Okeetees is a pure terror. Thinks he's a rattlesnake (rather cute actually) and some of the mellowest babies are Tepin's offspring. She was the terror when she was younger. Each morph has mellow ones and crazy ones. I usually suggest first time buyers either go to a show or to the breeder's house in order to be able to handle the snakes themselves. I think it's better to get one that may not be as pretty, but is more laid back. They eat better, stress less and generally are easier to deal with. If I'd had Tepin instead of C.S. as a first snake, I might have sworn off corns forever!

 

[jiva]

Both of mine seem to be okay with me handling them. They don't give me any problems when I pick them up and hold them. One rattled one time when he was getting close to shed and I took him out to feed him but settled quickly and all was fine. Other than that though they seem fine, eat everytime offered and are pretty chill snakes.

 

[greatcornholio]

my snow used to be pretty calm until a few days ago not he wants to jump every time I pick him up. He also grew about 3 inches dont know if that has anything to do with it?