How often do you handle your snakes?

[infernalis]

This poll is anonymous, your vote will not disclose your identity, so answer honestly without worry.

The thread is available if you would like to discuss or debate handling snakes in your possession.

We are each entitled to our own opinions on this, so absolutely no name calling or unnecessary bickering please.

[Max713]

Scarlett come's out of her enclosure quite regularly, usually whenever I see her bumping the glass or being overly active, I let her out for a bit. This can equate to her being out of her enclosure anywhere between 1 and 4 times a day. I RARELY take her out against her will.
When I open her enclosure door, she ready and willingly crawls out, and into my hands. I can guide her onto my shoulders and walk around with her, actually since I've had her I've desensitized her "head shyness". I can actually place my fingers under her head and "pick her up" by it. I say pick her up loosely as it's more just guiding her head to where I want it. She doesn't like it if I just come at her head or randomly touch it (who does ;) ), but if she thinks she's going somewhere, she has no problem with me "picking her up by it".
Such a sweet girl, I can't imagine a more tame carpet.
If someone can actually prove I'm doing her harm by handling her so much, I'm all ears, until then, I'll keeping interacting with and enjoying the company of my big beautiful girl!

I chose option #2, averaging it out, I probably handle her twice daily.
And of course, I don't handle her when not appropriate such as after a meal, or during shed.

P.S. Great poll idea Wayne!

[Reptile_Reptile]

i wish i could hold them more, but with the way my days go maybe 3 times a week. thats a big maybe too but i make sure they get out at least 7-8 times a month. its just hard to hold them and do things that i need to do so they get most of my spare time.

[red ink]

I don't fall into any of the criteria Wayne so I just voted for the closest approximation.

Basically:
I handle enough to be tolerated when cleaning or for inspection so I don't have to bleed to do chores. But I don't handle to be "loved".

[NennaMeerkat]

With my baby hoggie she would get to stressed out if I handled her to often. If there was an option "Once or twice a week" I would have chosen that. Slowly want to build it to every other day kind of thing eventually.

Want to get her used to being handled and touched so she can be a cool "show and tell" type thing for my son during school. Sort of me going there with my rats, bearded dragon, and hoggie...show them off to the kids...let them ask questions...and give helpful information about why you should or shouldn't own them. I believe, with many things, that you have to start early to get people more aware of responsibility and such. Try to get them thinking outside of the "cool" factor.

[Lankyrob]

I am not really covered on the poll either wayne, can we extend it maybe?

Each of my snakes gets handled once or twice every 14 days, avoiding feeding/shedding times. At times one or other wil lbe handled slightly more, of for example they have recently been handled and then destroys their enclosure or does a massive poop that requires more than just spot cleaning.

When we only had two we handled them both a few times a week but over time and with experience we have come around to the idea that too much handling just increases stress levels for the snakes and having more to handle they all get more "rest time" in between.

[SnakeyJay]

If my snakes are active or rubbing on the glass ill let them out.. Obviously feeding and cleaning times aswell.

[infernalis]

I modified choice 4.

Myself I do not like to stress my animals, so I don't believe in constant human mauling of my snakes.

feeding, inspections, photo shoots, cage cleanings, that's about it.

Every once in a while, I do get out one of my mellower more docile snakes out for a few minutes, but that's just every so often, and not the same one over and over.

[shaunyboy]

I modified choice 4.

Myself I do not like to stress my animals, so I don't believe in constant human mauling of my snakes.

feeding, inspections, photo shoots, cage cleanings, that's about it.

Every once in a while, I do get out one of my mellower more docile snakes out for a few minutes, but that's just every so often, and not the same one over and over.

^^^^^
thats pretty much the same for me as i only handle when its 100% neccesary

cheers shaun

[whoaxmary]

Each of my snakes is a little different. I handle Blue (1 1/2 -2 foot bp) the most, maybe once every second day on average. Yesterday when it was warm I took her out for awalk when I took the dogs. I didn't handle her this much at first, but have started to more and more, and she is the most docile out of the three. She often rubs up against the glass, and always willingly moves up onto my hand and arm. She is my baby snake. <3
Ruby (2f+ cornsnake) isn't as happy to be held. So I keep handleing her to a min. I take her out and hold her once, maybe twice a week besides feeding/cleaning day. Only for short periods of time and since I've had her she's calmed down imensely.
Richard (4-5f pine) is barely touched at this point. A stroke or small lift here and there when I feel gutsy. I read in another thread a few people disussing different tamining methods, and have started doing what someone else suggested, just reading or watching t.v while having my hand resting in the viv, until he seems to not mind in. The only time I've lifted him out completely was to completely clean out the enclosure he came in. I'm no snake expert. expecially compaired to the opinions above me.. But I guess I just sort of feel out each snake and don't push them more than it seems that they're up for. Wasn't sure which poll option to choose.

[infernalis]

Maybe I'm a weirdo, but some of my favourite snakes are the ones that refuse to be picked up without a fight.

I have one we call B.A. (Bad attitude) that will lunge at me with his mouth wide open even when I am filling his water bowl.

Another I call "Jaws" who never stops trying to bite, he's a proud majestic specimen who struts about his cage, and he protects his territory.

Dorothy (The snake) was the same way, she was awesome to look at, just keep your distance and she was fine, even at feeding time, frequently she ripped the mouse off the tongs so forcefully it almost knocked the tongs out of my hand.

So handling them is just not something I'm interested in doing. I like them the way they are, and have no desire to "tame them"

Then I have a few I call "dorky" because they seem almost reaction-less when picked up. .

[zer213]

Lillith (bp) is still head shy but could care less about being handled. Sheddding, eating, pooping. Doesnt matter. So I handle her as much as she seems to be comfortable with. Which is any time :)
She breaks the mold on alot of things. Somehow I manage to find animals that arent typical. Cocker spaniel that thinks hes a cat, cat that thinks hes a dog and is terrified of mice, and a bp that loves to hang out on her branch more then in her hiding spots (unless its shed/digestion time). Go figure.

[Aaron_S]

When we only had two we handled them both a few times a week but over time and with experience we have come around to the idea that too much handling just increases stress levels for the snakes and having more to handle they all get more "rest time" in between.

Best reason I've heard to acquire more snakes :D "Need more so they each get rest time between handling."

[NennaMeerkat]

Best reason I've heard to acquire more snakes "Need more so they each get rest time between handling."

I couldn't agree with you more there Aaron.

[Reptile_Reptile]

i agree nice one aaron

[presspirate]

As seems to be the trend, there is no choice that really defines how often I handle. The corns typically get handled a couple times a week. The bigger snakes, well it depends, sometimes they may each get handled once a week, some times once every couple weeks. When I first got into snakes, I handled them as often as possible.

[infernalis]

On average people.. there is plenty of choices for an average.

I handle some a lot more than others, so I just used my average.

[sassy_snake_lady]

I voted around once- twice a week.

I tend to get them out to check them over before I feed them so I can weigh them and then again a few days later when they need a spot clean.

That's it really.

[ilovemypets1988]

except for the period during and 3 days after feeding, i handle mine everyday including my boa, who i must say loves being out and handled, every time i go to change his water, he slithers up my arm and coils himself around the shoulder area of my arm and as for the corns, they hate being handled more than once every 2 days and they say that bci`s dont like being handled daily, try telling my boa - mr hissy - that lol

[CanadianEryx]

I have a small sand boa and I take her out when I exchange her water around mid-week for a little loving and then I handle her on Sundays before I feed her and clean her cage. Otherwise I rarely see her since she loves to burrow. It's interesting to watch the hills and valleys she creates in her substrate, however, as she scoots along underneath!

[mykee]

I handle my balls (hehe) to feed, clean, water and for the occasional health checks.
Ball pythons are not a social species and having kep thtme for som long, I know enough about them to know that unnecessary handling can do more harm than good.

[presspirate]

You don't want to handle your balls too much, you'll go blind or get hairy palms.

[infernalis]

Let's just say, handling in my house is so infrequent that when I come out of the snake room holding one, my family immediately asks "what's wrong with that one"

[sickvenom]

Let's just say, handling in my house is so infrequent that when I come out of the snake room holding one, my family immediately asks "what's wrong with that one"

are we still talking about snakes???

[infernalis]

uh, yes....

[presspirate]

Whoops, my bad.....

[Stormy Night]

I have 45 balls! .. I keep them in a jar on my dresser.
All of my slithering army love to be held. I have a huge fenced in garden with waterfall ponds and (figurative ) crap that I mostly built for them. So I try to rotate. I do two at a time *winks*. I'm laying on the bed right now and I have three balls on me, and a boa around my neck. It takes me about 3 weeks to finish the rotation and start all over again. Now Loki my huge corn is mostly on a floor to ceiling cat tower/tree ( i dont have a cat. I built it for my snakes). It has different levels and he loves that thing. I open his cabinet and he will take him self to the tree, climb to my eye level, and chill. He's not a normal snake. Its like letting the dog out of the crate. So he is out and held daily..multiple times

[Lankyrob]

Please dont put snakes around your neck, it takes milliseconds of pressure in the correct place in the neck area for you to be unconscious, at which point your snakes are free to escape or if you are standibg then you will hit the deck hard, if this panics the snake and it decides to hold tighter then we have a tragedy on our hands. Better safe than sorry :)

[Stormy Night]

Its only a few months old. Maybe a lil more than a foot. I think I'm safe. There's no way I'd have a 6 footer wraped around my neck. That's insane.

[Lankyrob]

Just to give an idea, when iwas training to cage fight my instructor wanted us all to know what it was like to be put out so that you are less likely to panic in a fight situaion. I was sat on the mats and he was behind me, i honestly never felt him touch my neck and was unconscious - not suggesting snakes are disguised ninjas :rolleyes: ;) - but even a small snake can exert enough pressure.

[Stormy Night]

Yea. My husband owns his own dojo, aikibudo. My son is into tang soo doo. And I'm all over the place. We all study pressure points and things that make ppl go boom. It is very true. Just like the Vulcan neck pinch in star treck. You hit...they go down.I have a friend that has a huuuge blood python. Its a thick as a damned tree. He wears it around his neck. If that snake decided to attack there's nothing I could do. Not That blood pythons aren't notoriously friendly and love to be held....<----sarcasm.

[KD35WIN.AS.ONE]

Its only a few months old. Maybe a lil more than a foot. I think I'm safe. There's no way I'd have a 6 footer wraped around my neck. That's insane.

wow i have 7 ft + snake around my neck all the time, never looked at it as "insane" though. LOL To each his own though.

[Stormy Night]

Very true. I have PTS (post traumatic stress) with snakes around my neck. I've seen a Guy get bit in the face by an 8' red tail and it wraped around him. It took 6 ppl to pull it off. Poured vodka in its mouth...they did all sorts of crap. They were just about to cut it off him and it let go. The last thing he said before the bite was "naw. She's lap dog friendly". And he patted her head on his shoulder. He has some serious scaring on his face. So my first issue is not wanting to get bit. But my more important issue is I'm by myself most of the time. If something happened and I couldn't get it off I'd freaking die. So call me a puss but I like to avoid situations that have the possibility of my death as a repercussion.

[KD35WIN.AS.ONE]

So call me a puss but I like to avoid situations that have the possibility of my death as a repercussion.

No... id call you smart, you stated more then enough reason. Keep in mind the 7footer i own is a Carpet Python, slimmer by a good margin to a Red Tail Boa. (at similar size.)

[marvelfreak]

I had a 8 an 1/2 foot RTB get spooked while wrapped around my neck. She tighten up and in under 10 second choked me out. I fell, hit my head, was out cold, and tuning blue. I got lucky my brother in law and sister in law showed up just then. If they hadn't pulled her off of me i would be dead.
I am a big guy and i always thought i could easily pull her off. When you can breath you can really do much of anything. ONE VERY important rule is never let them make a complete loop around your neck. Anything over 7 feet you should always have help around in case something were to go wrong.

[Lankyrob]

Choking is one thing - they need a decent coil round to cut off breath - with the pressure points it is literally one finger tip used to put anyone on the floor unconscious - again not saying our snakes are ninjas - they could quite easily hit the points with no intent and put you out.

[Stormy Night]

Its amazing how hard they can coil. just looking at them wraped around a rat doesnt really cut it. when we tried to pry "muffin" off tony it was like trying to wiggle your fingers into concrete. theres zero give. *flash back* LOL! this other guy, tonys best friend grabbed a broom stick and started wacking muffin! but he was nailing tony to. when she struck he had his arm up and she coiled around him but under his arm and not on his neck. So anyway hes on the ground getting eaten and beat with a broom. He opens his hand ( the one over his head) and says "duude...stop the broom". so his friend did, And then came back with a bottle of vodka. Hes pouring it in the snakes mouth...thats biting into tonys cheek. tonys gasping and bubbeling, the vodka made his blood run more. hes screaming because it was in his eyes. LOL. god man. fun times. Rule #1. just like "dont drink and drive".."dont drink and hold giant snakes".
he refused to go to the hospital for some dumb reason. since i have a medical back ground i got saddled with cleaning, stitches and a drain. fun fun. Lucky him i happened to keep extra antibiotics around. ..And considering he was just going to duct tape his cheek and carry on...wtf man..
This may be one of those "you had to be there" moments. It was actually kinda funny. T was laughing the whole time he was sceaming...and bleeding.
Well kiddies. There are several morals to this story.

[Reptile_Reptile]

....................

[Stormy Night]

lmao. exactly

[drtmgrt]

I have a ball and a corn and if I hold one more than once a month its the ball. mainly just let um alone to explore, there such fascinating critters.

[lambert]

I try to handle my snakes, all three of them, multiple times a day!! I think the more you handle them, the more less likely you are to getting bit by them and the more tame and docile they are. If I don't have time for more than once a day, they are at least handled once a day! Seeming how two are Burmese, and roughly 6 feet long and my one Ball who is just over 4 feet, I need them to remain my pets, and I really feel in order to have that happen, they need just as much attention as you would a cat or dog. Just my opinion!! :crazy2:

[Jay]

I try to handle my snakes, all three of them, multiple times a day!! I think the more you handle them, the more less likely you are to getting bit by them and the more tame and docile they are. If I don't have time for more than once a day, they are at least handled once a day! Seeming how two are Burmese, and roughly 6 feet long and my one Ball who is just over 4 feet, I need them to remain my pets, and I really feel in order to have that happen, they need just as much attention as you would a cat or dog. Just my opinion!! :crazy2:
You are most likely stressing your snakes out, they will never become tame.

[stephanbakir]

You are most likely stressing your snakes out, they will never become tame.
Jay speaketh the truth.

[lambert]

I don't think I stress them out. They are more than willing to come out of their 100 gallon aquarium. If I open the lid to put fresh water in, which is a daily thing, they wanna come out. What am I suppose to do, tell them no, and shove them back in???? If it was stressful for them, wouldn't they just stay in the tank when I opened the lid???? Just food for thought!!! I don't "make" them do anything they don't want to do. They have minds of their own, I just let them do as they please.:sorry:

[Jay]

I am 100% sure that your snakes are not interested in being held. They are most likely attracted to your body heat, and are exploring. Unlike a dog who runs at you when you walk in the door because they are exited to see you.
Note: This animal is not tame, tolerable yes.
SX3qwPadS_g

[lambert]

Your snake may not like it and my not be tame, and yes i know they are looking for body heat. But my snakes are my snakes, and well yours are yours, mine come snuggle in bed like a dog or cat, in fact, with my cat. Yes for heat, but they are still pets people!! Maybe yours aren't, but mine are!! Sorry.....

[stephanbakir]

They don't have the ability to think at that level. Plain and simple.

[Lankyrob]

Your snake may not like it and my not be tame, and yes i know they are looking for body heat. But my snakes are my snakes, and well yours are yours, mine come snuggle in bed like a dog or cat, in fact, with my cat. Yes for heat, but they are still pets people!! Maybe yours aren't, but mine are!! Sorry.....


You really let your snakes into bed? And with your cat too?

And snakes are never pets they are wild animals that allow us the privelege to hold them. They are never tame - they may not bite or try to get away but they arent tame.

[TeaNinja]

your cat may get eatin someday lol.

[stephanbakir]

They can't ever "like" you, they don't have the brain power. Even retics which are hyper intelligent compared to some of the other snakes still don't have the brain power to even come close to liking someone.

[Jay]

retics which are hyper intelligent compared to some of the other snakes
Did you just call my snakes dumb....Just kidding hahah
But seriously with your cat :confused::confused::confused: "snuggle"

[stephanbakir]

One of them will one day attack the other.

[acs102]

I get my ball python out several times a week when not in shed. He hangs out in my lap while I'm on the computer at night and usually ends up on my keyboard pressing buttons. The milk snake comes out a couple times a week. We're still working on the boyfriend's carpet python, he has a hatred for everyone so we try to get him out for a few minutes at a time a couple times a week to try and calm him down.


One of them will one day attack the other.

Hmm...
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/9328/snake500x364.jpg

(Stolen from the joke section)

[VaranidLover]

I handle my RTB whenever possible :) shes so friendly, curious, adorable and calm its just a joy to hold her.

I also spend tons of time with my Savannah Monitor Lrrr :) hes the boss. He will scratch at his doors even after a long day outside, just to sit with me on the bed lol.

And then you have my Macklots Python, Shaka Zulu. He is extremely vicious in the cage but once out he is fine. But as soon as you go in that cage, anything and everything moving is likely to encounter a metaphorical chainsaw :) so.. not often. about 2 - 3 times a week

[marionsclan]

I know that some people are dead-set against handling snakes, unless necessary, so I've copied some comments from various breeders in regards to handling snakes:


Always remember that a snake is a wild animal. Even store-bought captive bred animals are still wild. That means you’ll need to regularly handle it even after it has become tamed. If you don’t it will lapse back into it’s natural ways. Make sure you keep the snake comfortable otherwise it will be unhappy and unhappy snakes are not tame snakes.

Keep petting short. Snakes are not social animals. Dogs and cats that engage in communal grooming see petting as normal and a bonding experience. A snake sees petting differently. Prolonged handling can be stressful to them. Keep your petting sessions to 10-30 minutes a day is best. If you hold the snake too much it will get stressed.

I agree you should give her a chance to adjust to her new environment, young snakes can tend to scare easy, once she is settled she should be handled on a very frequent regular basis. (except after feeding)

I don't have any really big snakes. The biggest is a five foot Japanese rat snake and she has been feisty as a baby. But she is much calmer as an adult. I think the trick with her was handling her very regularly everyday until she was about 3 years old and then every few days. I cant say she didn't try to bite when she was little but as soon as she got used to me this behavior stopped and she became calm with me.

These were just some of the ones I've come across but they are pretty much the jist of what I've found. It seems that most breeders believe that if you want a tame snake then frequent handling is necessary. They may stress in the beginning but once they get used to you they will relax and no longer stress. That makes a lot of sense to me. However, I do agree that snakes may not have an emotional commitment to their owners but they do know the difference between the one who handles and takes care of them and others.

[Dehlida]

Snakes are solitary predators. They gain absolutely nothing from human interaction- unless you keep them too cold, in which case they get body heat and warmth.

Handling a snake is stressful, unnatural, and unneeded. The snake will be more natural and live better without handling. The only reason people handle is for THEM, because they can't appreciate the animal for what it is, and leave it well enough alone, they just HAVEEE to touch it.

[marionsclan]

Snakes are solitary predators. They gain absolutely nothing from human interaction- unless you keep them too cold, in which case they get body heat and warmth.

Handling a snake is stressful, unnatural, and unneeded. The snake will be more natural and live better without handling. The only reason people handle is for THEM, because they can't appreciate the animal for what it is, and leave it well enough alone, they just HAVEEE to touch it.

Anyone who does not want to handle a wild animal and appreciate it for what it is should leave it where it will be comfortable and happy; in its original habitat instead of supporting breeding and in-breeding in order to own one.

Do I appreciate them? Yes, but I also believe that I can make them comfortable and happy by interacting with them. And until it is 100% proven, through studies and research data and not personal opinions, that handling them actually causes damage and a life reduction then I will continue to interact with my snake several times a week to establish and maintain a level of comfort and safety for both of us.

[youngster]

To me, a little 13 year old with not much of experience, I just don't understand the point of having a pet if there's no interaction. If there's research involved, or something like that it would make sense to leave it alone. But if you're researching a snake it would be hard to make the argument that it actually is a pet rather than a research animal thingy-majigger.

[marionsclan]

To me, a little 13 year old with not much of experience, I just don't understand the point of having a pet if there's no interaction. If there's research involved, or something like that it would make sense to leave it alone. But if you're researching a snake it would be hard to make the argument that it actually is a pet rather than a research animal thingy-majigger.

Smart cookie!!!

[Lankyrob]

Snakes may not be social creatures and not ENJOY handling but the fact is that at some point in its life you are going to have to remove the snake form its home for health checks or for cleaning the enclosure.

If you handle your snake regularly (not saying every day) then it is less likely to get stressed and/or bite when it HAS to be removed from its home. If you then need to treat an ilness for example having a "tame" (hate that word) snake is going to make things a lot easier for the owner and the snake.

There are all types of personalitys within snakes, some tolerate handling much more than others and it is our responsibility to ensure we dont over handle those that either dont tolerate it or are too fragile (GTP's for example)

[marionsclan]

If you then need to treat an ilness for example having a "tame" (hate that word) snake is going to make things a lot easier for the owner and the snake.

There are all types of personalitys within snakes, some tolerate handling much more than others and it is our responsibility to ensure we dont over handle those that either dont tolerate it or are too fragile (GTP's for example)

I totally agree and if you don't like the word tame, how about using 'accustomed'? That would imply that the snake is accustomed to humans but still not domesticated.

[infernalis]

I totally agree and if you don't like the word tame, how about using 'accustomed'? That would imply that the snake is accustomed to humans but still not domesticated.

What I find very interesting, I personally find trying to understand what is going on in those little heads fascinating.

I have picked wild female garter snakes up off the ground and hand fed them the same day, yet I have captive bred animals that will chew your fingers off if you let them.

The point is that snakes in general posses many different sets of temperaments and we have to be willing to accept our animals "as is" meaning that if you get one that's content sitting on your arm, don't expect that your next snake is going to behave the same way, even if they are siblings.

If your snake repeatedly bites, musks or attempts to flee, then back off and leave it be.

[SkYyaMe1623]

until it is 100% proven, through studies and research data and not personal opinions, that handling them actually causes damage and a life reduction then I will continue to interact with my snake several times a week to establish and maintain a level of comfort and safety for both of us.
Well said. In my honest opinion given the fact that you'll need to enter the enclosure to maintain proper husbandry, handling the snake once in a while for a short period and placing it back in its enclosure where it feels comfortable will probably only reenforce the fact that you're not trying to eat the snake, even if you were to get your hands on it. Reinforcing this should build comfort between you and the snake, and make it less stressful for all the times you poke your hands into the enclosure for minor adjustments.

[Ch^4]

Best reason I've heard to acquire more snakes :D "Need more so they each get rest time between handling."

I have yet another excuse to tell my girlfriend why I want another snake!

[Tangomaria]

I handle my corn snake every night,Shes called Tango,I've only had her a month and she is my first snake from a rehoming charity for snakes,she had only been in their care for two weeks,the previous owner had lost her for 7 months but when the owner found Tango again she couldn't handle her because she claimed she was agressive,i haven't had any problems with handling her at all,she's very calm and even my 4 year old son handles her,I was told that she had shed in the charitys care but I doubt that was the case as I noticed she went into blue(is that correct ?) her skin dulled and eyes went cloudy,I could handle her throughout and after a couple of days she shed but started to try and shed while I was handling her,by rubbing her snout on me,I figured what was going on and put her back in the viv where she finished it off,I've since read that you mustn't handle while shedding as it stresses them out,she hasn't eaten since then and that was 19 of July,I have offered her food but no interest,so could I be handling Tango to much? I just want what's best for her so any replies would be good.

[Lankyrob]

I handle my corn snake every night,Shes called Tango,I've only had her a month and she is my first snake from a rehoming charity for snakes,she had only been in their care for two weeks,the previous owner had lost her for 7 months but when the owner found Tango again she couldn't handle her because she claimed she was agressive,i haven't had any problems with handling her at all,she's very calm and even my 4 year old son handles her,I was told that she had shed in the charitys care but I doubt that was the case as I noticed she went into blue(is that correct ?) her skin dulled and eyes went cloudy,I could handle her throughout and after a couple of days she shed but started to try and shed while I was handling her,by rubbing her snout on me,I figured what was going on and put her back in the viv where she finished it off,I've since read that you mustn't handle while shedding as it stresses them out,she hasn't eaten since then and that was 19 of July,I have offered her food but no interest,so could I be handling Tango to much? I just want what's best for her so any replies would be good.


Personally i would say everynight is too much, now that it isnt eating you should not handle AT ALL until it has taken at least two consecutive feeds, dont disturb at all (just water changes and spot cleaning) during this time. A couple of sessions a week is probably better than every night in future.

[Tangomaria]

Thankyou for your reply,I haven't handle Tango since I posted on here,just changed the water morn and night,she's not due a feed untill tuesday so I will not handle her untill then,but do you think I should try and feed in the viv the first couple of times or remove her? Also the another question is on my mind as to how long I should leave the viv light on for as I've read conflicting answers? Thankyou again for the reply it has helped me alot.

[SnakeyJay]

If its an infra red heat light it can be used 24/7. However if its a normal heat light or just a light bulb then it should be on no more than 12 ish hours i believe. Could u provide a little more info on your set up. Viv, lights, heat, thermostat, thermometers? Itll help us to give you more acurate advice. Good luck and congratulations :)

[Lankyrob]

I feed all my snakes in their vivs, but on a plate so that there is less risk of substrate being ingested

[Tangomaria]

The set up in the viv was set up by the rehoming charity,it's a 2ft6 viv with a heatmat at one end,it has astro turf in,couple of logs,water bowl and greenery,It has a light across the top along bulb,I did buy her a couple of hides but she doesn't use them,she hides under the AstroTurf,the thermomoter is at the back of the tank in the middle it's a Exo Terra thermomoter if that makes any difference? It's kept at 80,I've placed the viv high up ontop of my book cabnet so it is out of the way,there are no drafts as I read you have to keep them out of drafty places,thankyou for your reply too,I hope this info helps you to help me!
I was thinking about feeding on the viv but I'm worried it will make her think that the opening of the viv means feeding time?

[Lankyrob]

The hot end temp should be 86 not 80, the coold end should be 75ish. The long bulb sounds like it could be a UV bulb??? Snakes dont need UV as a rule, if it is just there for lighting purposes then 12 hours a day is fine.

If feeding in the viv means opening the viv is feeding time, then taking them out of the viv to eat means that every time you take them out is feeding time. There is no logic to this at all tho many many people will tell you it is true.

Snakes are intelligent enought to know the difference between a hand and prey, if they bite you it is generally a defensive thing rather than a feeding thing. Over time you should be able to tell the difference in YOUR snake between when it is in feed mode and when it isnt. Some snakes are more obvious than others with this.

How big is the snake at the moment? a 2ft6in long viv will probably not be big enough for an adult corn, 3 ft is usually the smallest viv for an adult corn.

[Tangomaria]

Thankyou again for your reply,at the mo I don't think shes that far off from 3ft already,so I will have to invest in a bigger viv,and make sure the temp is correct for her,what you have said makes alot of sense, and to be honest I feel abit of a pratt now!! I'm going to attempt to feed her tonight in her viv and hope she takes it! Will let you know how I get on,your information has helped me alot so thankyou again!

[ladyjustice33]

I find holding my snake to be very relaxing.....maybe that's weird, but I have a high stress job and a terminally ill parent so just chilling on the couch with either my dog or my snake just helps me unwind. My CRB is just a baby, so I don't hold him as much as I would like since I don't want to stress him out, but the bigger he gets, the more I hope to get to chill with him on the couch, lol.

[infernalis]

Snakes are intelligent enought to know the difference between a hand and prey, if they bite you it is generally a defensive thing rather than a feeding thing. Over time you should be able to tell the difference in YOUR snake between when it is in feed mode and when it isnt. Some snakes are more obvious than others with this.


This reminds me.. quick funny story. Had a friend who came over rather often, he always commented on how calm my garter snakes on display in the living room were. They never bite or anything.

So one time when he stopped by my snakes were overdue to feed, I had just gotten done handling a rainbow trout, my hands reeked of that fish slime.

so just for giggles, I asked George to tell me again how calm my snakes were, then I reached into a cage with my right hand, the smell set them off bad (Garter snakes love fish like we do candy) and within moments two of them were chewing on my hand and wouldn't let go.

after a few minutes the did let go.. George was freaked out until I said "sniff my finger" and explained that I did that on purpose.

[TalonNC]

Did he fall for the smell my finger trick?

[infernalis]

Did he fall for the smell my finger trick?

Nah, he called me nasty...:crazy:

[Reptile_Reptile]

lol that had to of been a good laugh

[Tangomaria]

Hi,an update,I tried to feed Tango Tuesday night which is her feeding day in the viv and she didn't want to know,I noticed on weds that she went into blue again and spent the next two days she spent completely in her water,i cleaned the viv Friday morn as she peed,and she was very active and climbed out of the viv,she was fine to be handle and I noticed that she became abit brighter in colour,anyways come saturday and she had shed! Tango last shed on the 19 of July,so it's only been 2 weeks and 4 days since she last shed,and I'm thinking that this isn't right?? She also has still not eaten for 6 weeks,but is drinking the water,does anyone have any ideas?

[Lankyrob]

Have you noticed any black spots on her, the viv or your skin after handling her? It is possible for snakes to shed in fairly quick succession with no issues behind it but there could be something like mites or an injury that she is trying to get rid of.

[Reptile_Reptile]

is your snake hurt at all? or maybe just got done with being sick. that would explain the multiple sheds in a short time and lack of appetite. just an idea more qualified people to talk to you will.

[Tangomaria]

Thankyou for the replies,no she hasn't any mites on her at all,I took her to the vets today to get her checked out and he said she's in good health,she does have a mark ontop of her head and the vet thinks it's an old wound she picked up when she escaped with the previous owners for 7 months,he also said it's possible that she's got use to live prey,he did say also not to handle her as much as I did,like lankyrob said to me so I have already cut back on the handling,it's feeding night again tomorrow so hopefully this time she might eat.

[kabigat]

I try to get my snake out once a day for about 15 minutes.
If I felt he got stressed then I would leave him be.
He never tries to avoid me when I go to pick him up he just lies there.
It's interesting to read other peoples views and how often they handle there snakes.:)

[anna<3snakes]

My snakes love to be handled. My corn snake once crawled out of his cage and found his way into my lap.

[Tangomaria]

Hey everyone,an update on Tango...she shed again on the 20th august,so I offered her a mouse on her feeding day,Tuesday just gone and she ate it!! Yay!!! I can't tell you the relief I felt!! I did feed her in the viv and left her in peace,when I checked an hour later there was no mouse!!! I am so happy!! I will now be able to sleep at night! I have cut back on the handling of her as recomended,I open the viv and let her come out,if she does she does if not that's cool too. I am just so pleased she has shed!

[Lankyrob]

Glad to hear Tango, hope things continue well for you both

[youngster]

I wanna change my vote :P I voted a couple times a day but now that I have a beardie that is taking up most of my free time I would say once or twice a week.

[CK SandBoas]

I try and handle all my snakes at least once a week, sometimes twice, for about 10-15 minutes each, unless they are in a shed cycle, or if they've just eaten. There are times when i might handle them a little more frequently, like once a day, for shorter periods, when i know my youngest niece will be visiting, and wants to hold one of my animals.

[N1T24M]

I rarely handle my snakes, save for cleaning or for picture taking.
Once in a while I bring them outside for a stretch in my backyard.
In my opinion it is an unnecessary stress to induce by handling frequently, it is also my opinion that they're better off without frequent handling. Even though I handle very little, the majority of my boas seem to get used to the idea of me being around and most tend to docile out over time and age. Some remain flighty though, but that's ok.

[Sapphyr]

I handle may snakes once to twice a day. I have a tendency to handle them more during warmer months/days if that's their general temperature range. All of mine don't seem to mind handling too much and aren't all that finicky, so handling them a little extra doesn't seem to be much of an issue. My 'sessions' aren't too long, though, as I know they need their hidey time, basking time, etc.

I never take too long with the BRB, though, as our area, both outside and inside, doesn't suit his humidity needs.

[lady_bug87]

We try and handle my GTP when s/he will tolerate it so that when she is big she doesnt lunge out of her viv and bite me in the face. She makes me nervous so its usually my hubby that will reach in and coax her on to his hand it usually takes about 30 seconds if s/he doesn't unravel we leave it be and settle on petting.. again just to make sure when she is 5ft of pure muscle she doesn't take a chunk of of my face when i open her enclosure

my ball is one that likes to sit on your lap under a blanket (weird I know but its his thing) we handle him 4 times a week just to keep him friendly enough to handle for inspection and cleaning purposes

[Snakefood]

We just brought Helios home, so don't touch him much yet. Ananta loves to come out and explore, and loves to hang out in my pony-tail!! Khuno, we try to take out as much as possible, as a hatchling, he's still not big on being handled, but we'll get him there!!

right now, however, I am missing the handling of my snakeys, Khuno is shedding, Ananta just ate, and helios just got here :( so I have no-one to hold at the moment!!

[Roberto G]

my rainbow is actually very docile, she never tries to escape from my hands, I usually take her out of the vivarium once a day or so... and handle her for about 20 min... is there any problem taking the snake out for a long time? even though they don't seem to be stressed at all?

[youngster]

my rainbow is actually very docile, she never tries to escape from my hands, I usually take her out of the vivarium once a day or so... and handle her for about 20 min... is there any problem taking the snake out for a long time? even though they don't seem to be stressed at all?

No, I think as long as it's less than an hour it'll be fine. Sometimes when you're trying to build trust even longer is good.

[SnakeyJay]

I tend to believe that short, rugular handling is better for building trust, as it reinforces that after being handled they get to go straight home. Thats just my opinion tho, whatever works for you. :)

[youngster]

Right, to each his own!

[Roberto G]

Thank you for those answers! I'll be keeping both of them in mind! :)

[Sasha2]

I need to handle my jcp.Ive put it off for far to long and its quite the demon.
I handle my snakes about once every two weeks.Maybe less, maybe more.All except the demon snake.IVe not handled it in about 6 mnths.

[shaunyboy]

I need to handle my jcp.Ive put it off for far to long and its quite the demon.
I handle my snakes about once every two weeks.Maybe less, maybe more.All except the demon snake.IVe not handled it in about 6 mnths.

with the real demon jungles,i've found the older they get the harder it is to calm them down

that said,i've found that regularley handled hatchlings tend to calm down once they get a bit of size about them

i had 1 jungle who stayed pure demon no matter what i tried.we call him crazy bert :yes:

cheers shaun

[SSSSnakes]

I handle my snakes only as needed to feed and clean their enclosures. They are also handled for educational shows. I think that it is the way you handle the snakes that keeps them calm, not the amount of time you handle them. An experience handler can handle aggressive snakes without getting bit.

[TeaNinja]

Right, to each his own!

or her own ;)

[Sasha2]

An experience handler can handle aggressive snakes without getting bit.
__________________If that were only true.Even the best of the best get bit occasionally.Even by venomous.

[SSSSnakes]

An experience handler can handle aggressive snakes without getting bit.
__________________If that were only true.Even the best of the best get bit occasionally.Even by venomous.

I have not been bit in over 12 years, and I handle venomous and aggressive snakes every day.

[N1T24M]

i agree with 100% with ssssnakes. like i mentioned earlier i handle very little (only when necessary) and my snakes always docile out. ive had 1 or 2 that stayed possessed, but even those have never bit me, just hiss a whole lot when they think im going to their enclosure to mess with them.
handling snakes stresses them out, even if they appear to "like it". think about it, to them we're hot trees with branches that move. if they seem comfortably wrapped around your arm/hand, its not because they like it its because they dont want to fall.