Handling question

[GooBisDead]

So I held my snake for the first time today and it didn't seem to mind it much, it was slithering from hand to hand and up my arm and only seemed to get nervous when I would walk from the tank to my couch and then back from my couch to his tank, It's acting just as it did in it's enclosure as it did before I handled it, I only held it for about 5-8 minutes then put it back into his home. I was wondering how often I can handle it? I only ask because this was the first time I've ever held a snake freely in my hands and let it slither around and it was AWESOME, and I'm dying to hold him/her again (I really wish I knew whether it was a boy or girl so I could name it)

[exwizard]

I handle mine as much as I can but it's hard for me to get to everyone, with me working 60+ hours a week and having 28 pet snakes, but I do the best I can. On Saturday morning, I clean everyone so yeah, everyone gets handled.

There really isn't a consensus on what is too much as opinions on this vary a lot. My opinion, and this depends on the snake as well, if you want a tame snake, handle it often.

[Lankyrob]

When i first got my snakesi handled them all3-4 times a week, over time this has reduced to the point that i now believe handling them doesnt benefit the snake in anyway, it is fro our own benefit/enjoyment that we handle them.

Now they may get handled once a month or even less, but i havenot noticed any change at all in their level of "tameness" :)

[exwizard]

When i first got my snakesi handled them all3-4 times a week, over time this has reduced to the point that i now believe handling them doesnt benefit the snake in anyway, it is fro our own benefit/enjoyment that we handle them.

Now they may get handled once a month or even less, but i havenot noticed any change at all in their level of "tameness" :)

Your snakes were already tame BECAUSE they were initially handled 3-4 times a week. After the fact, handling them less does not increase their agression.

I have 5 Macklot's Pythons, 4 of which I got when they were babies. Baby Macklot's are in fact bitey but I was able to tame them all down in very little time and I did it by frequent handling. Now they don't get handled much for previously stated reasons but they are still as tame as can be.

[Phantaizm]

Since ur both new @ handling and have brief periods of nervousness. Pick a time, and handle ur snake for a short period of time initially. (How often depends on the breed). Avoid coming with ur hands directlyat the face and support the belly (u know that ;-)) but increase the handling time in slow successive gradients. How often and how much each time depends on u & ur snake. When u walk back and forth I found it helps to give them a "perch" on ur hand or arm where they are no longer crawling around but are calm and relaxed. Once that happens walk to the couch and vice versa. Snakes are watchers and sensors. Give him time to see that the world around him is calm and he is safe with u before walking. Then walk without being nervous. And only that short distance for now. Once he fels comfortable with that distance u can move around elsewhere. Also when u sit with him...we tend to move a lot when we handle, but that doesn't allow the snake to accclimate to a comfy position on/with u. So once u get to the couch, by all means play with him a little but end ur session with a nice calm sit still ...at the beginning too. He will eventually recognize and accept the routine and if u keep things slow ur handling traiining should go well. Best of luck
-Lyndsey

[DavethePython]

Handle him as much as he wants to be handled . Learn your snakes "moods" I have 4 and 2 of them are glad to be handled 24 hours a day if it were possible , one only likes to come out 2 or 3 times a week and one just does not like being handled . Pay attention to your snake and you can learn alot about his or her individual likes and dislikes.

[rmfsnakes32]

Handle him as much as he wants to be handled . Learn your snakes "moods" I have 4 and 2 of them are glad to be handled 24 hours a day if it were possible , one only likes to come out 2 or 3 times a week and one just does not like being handled . Pay attention to your snake and you can learn alot about his or her individual likes and dislikes.

Yes this! As much as comfortable for you and the snake

[Terranaut]

If you can do that everyday thats great. If you only have the one take it out everyday for 10 min. Gently allow and encourage the snake crawl from one hand to the other. It will quickly get used to your hands being right in its face if it is reaching out to it ( know what I mean?) Royals are the most tollerent snake to handle. I don't see the fact that the snake gets nothing other than excersise from it as a negative. Some people almost never handle. Well I bought mine to handle and interact with and not just look at. Very few ball pythons "hate" handling and if you didn't get bit or the snake wasn't a ball the entire time yours isn't one of them. So just handle it. Enjoy it but know this. A snake will never enjoy or hate the experience because it is incapable. It may appreciate your body heat but thats it. Other than that in his mind it is just a happening and not good or bad. A bitty snake is either protecting itself from a threat or hungry and mistaking your hand as food.
Good luck.

[jaleely]

ditto to rob, and ditto to exwizard : )