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New snake, Handling
- Thread starter Baller99k
- Start date
knox
New member
You will get many different answers. Snakes are mostly instinct driven, so I don't know if there is a correct answer to the question - how long they need to "settle in" or whatever.
I have always handled my new snakes whenever I wanted to and have never had any bad experience from it. I don't handle any of my snakes for 2 days after they eat, but other than that I take them out every time I feel like it - including the first day I bring them home.
I honestly don't think it matters - do what you want. I own my snakes, they do not own me. I want the best for them, but ultimately they are here for my entertainment and care. I give them the best care I know how and I take them out and enjoy them whenever I feel like it.
And I have never had an "unhealthy" snake.
I have always handled my new snakes whenever I wanted to and have never had any bad experience from it. I don't handle any of my snakes for 2 days after they eat, but other than that I take them out every time I feel like it - including the first day I bring them home.
I honestly don't think it matters - do what you want. I own my snakes, they do not own me. I want the best for them, but ultimately they are here for my entertainment and care. I give them the best care I know how and I take them out and enjoy them whenever I feel like it.
And I have never had an "unhealthy" snake.
MyLittleGuyCyrus
New member
I think it is up to the snake. I was able to handle Cyrus immediately upon bringing him home, and I have so much going on at my house. I have 2 kids, 4 dogs and 2 ferrets. All strange noises and smells, and he was peachy. However, I think some snakes would handle that change fine and others I think might freak out. You need to watch the little guy for signs of unease. I think all snakes have their own personalities and adjust to things on a different schedule.
I do agree with Know though, I own my snakey and try and have him learns things according to me...but I do also let him have a say too!
I do agree with Know though, I own my snakey and try and have him learns things according to me...but I do also let him have a say too!
RobbiesCornField
Bring it on.
In response to cyrus- He was probably taking in all of the new smells he could. It's a part of the settling process.
Most people recommend against holding during the settling process because of so many new sights and smells. It's a lot for a small animal to take in all at once! Imagine if something picked you up, stuck you in a pillowcase/deli-cup and moved you to a whole new environment!
To be honest, it really is all up to you, however. When I bring home a new snake, I bring it out for a photo-shoot, and then off to quarantine it goes! After that, there is usually very minimal handling for the next couple months, other than taking them out to change the bedding, clean the tank, change the water, etc. After that period, I tend to take them out more frequently for "play" time.
Most people recommend against holding during the settling process because of so many new sights and smells. It's a lot for a small animal to take in all at once! Imagine if something picked you up, stuck you in a pillowcase/deli-cup and moved you to a whole new environment!
To be honest, it really is all up to you, however. When I bring home a new snake, I bring it out for a photo-shoot, and then off to quarantine it goes! After that, there is usually very minimal handling for the next couple months, other than taking them out to change the bedding, clean the tank, change the water, etc. After that period, I tend to take them out more frequently for "play" time.
knox
New member
Excellent point given above about snakes having different needs and personalities. I saw a clip on youtube about 2 baby Gopher snakes from the same clutch - one was tame as a kitten, the other threw a fit every time the guy went to pick it up. It may still be on there if you search.
No right answer here as long as your snake is feeding well, pooping well, and not regurgitating. If you have feeding issues, I would definitely leave the snake alone for a couple of weeks.
The problem lies in this. If you don't handle them often, how are they going to get used to handling for when you DO want to "play" with them?
I say start them out young and early if you can.
No right answer here as long as your snake is feeding well, pooping well, and not regurgitating. If you have feeding issues, I would definitely leave the snake alone for a couple of weeks.
The problem lies in this. If you don't handle them often, how are they going to get used to handling for when you DO want to "play" with them?
I say start them out young and early if you can.
RobbiesCornField
Bring it on.
The way it works with me, after my animals go through their quarantine period (usually about 3 months), I try to handle them as often as possible to get them used to me. With some of the younger snakes, yes, they might get a bit aggressive at first, but generally calm down. Older snakes that were usually very "tame" to begin with generally stay "tame" during the quarantine period. I use the term "tame" lightly with snakes because they still have more wild instincts and any one will bite given the right situation. No animal is truly "tame". Heck, I've seen chihuahuas more vicious than most people think pit-bulls are. But that's rather off topic. With snakes, I agree, the more you handle them, the better they will be with tolerating handling. But for those of us with larger and more established collections, the quarantine period is a time to monitor the snake for any possible sickness (internal or external parasites, feeding issues, etc) that could possibly be transferred into the rest of our collection. I can almost guarantee that if you ask ANYONE with a collection of larger than 20+, they quarantine all new animals. Even most people with just more than 2 snakes quarantine.
MyLittleGuyCyrus
New member
Holy Smokes....20 snakes!? My hubby would stroke :realhot: if he walked in and I had 20 snakes! LOL! I had to work my booty off begging :bowdown: for one teeny tiny snake!
RobbiesCornField
Bring it on.
Time for a new hubby. LOL! JUST KIDDING! But between my partner Tony and myself, we have 23 snakes currently. He's got a few that are "HIS", but most are "MY" kids... It all depends on what they did, and whether or not their tank needs cleaning. LOL.