Handling

[Jaseb1987]

How often do you lot handle your python for or any snake actually and for how long?

[TRD]

Myself, only when needed, and rarely "just for handling"... But besides a a few kings and milks I don't keep snakes that should be handled bare handed anyway.

[Jaseb1987]

Myself, only when needed, and rarely "just for handling"... But besides a a few kings and milks I don't keep snakes that should be handled bare handed anyway.

Interesting, thanks for the reply, what snakes do you have? we have 1 pastel python and one milk snake, do you recommend not handling much then? mine seems to want to be out if I get him out, go to put him in and he comes back out lol he is loving his new set-up tho.

[EL Ziggy]

I handle each of my snakes once or twice a week for about 15 minutes at a time.

[TRD]

Jaseb, African rear fanged colubrids... rhamphiophis, psammophylax, working on psammophis, malpolon, rhagerhis...

They aren't DWA, but some have a nasty bite that is better avoided. Absolutely amazing snakes to keep, very interesting behaviors (socially as well). Very active too as they are diurnal sight hunters. Some can be a pain to feed though, I have 2 which only pick live food no matter what you'd do. And, impossible to get some of the species as CB, so there's that whole ordeal to get them imported, vetted, settled, and feeding in captivity. And hopefully, eventually, breeding.

My kingsnakes also like to be out and about, and if I take them out, it's only when they actually come out themselves. I don't like to drag them out.

[TeamSlitherin]

I handle my Dumeril’s once a week or so for as long as she feels comfortable. My scrub python gets held a lot. Probably more than any scrub around, but I can’t help it! He’s the cutest, sweetest boy with the squishiest face! He comes out to play multiple times a week.

[Scubadiver59]

If I didn't have so many now, I probably would take them out more often...it's hard to tell when they're in shed if they don't poke their heads out, and I like to mist more often when they are.

[IDvsEGO]

Maybe once a week. Just enough to keep them from getting too freaked out when I do maintenance.

[craigafrechette]

I handle each of my snakes a few times a week. But the duration of time usually depends on the snake. Since you specifically mentioned pythons I'll stick to pythons.

My BP is about a year and a half old, well established and has been with me about 14 months. He handles extremely well, so his handling sessions are often a little longer, typically around 30 minutes. He also comes out 3 times a week on average.

My Borneo STP has only been with me since New Years Eve, so he comes out a little less often, usually twice a week. Handling sessions have started out about 15 minutes, but I've been gradually increasing that time when he seems comfortable.

If the snake is new to you and you're establishing a bond and developing a mutual trust it's best to start slow. Start with once or twice a week for up to 15 minutes. End the handling sessions on a positive note and gradually increase frequency as well as length of time out. Learning the snakes body language and mannerisms will help you to learn when the snake doesn't feel like being handled or is ready to be put back in the enclosure.