Handling tips please?

[brylecc1989]

So i've had my snake for 8 days, shes eaten, digested, and now its finally time to handle! How should i go about getting her to be calm with me and ok with being held? Shes about 9 onths old, coastal carpet. She seems pretty docile. Any help appreciated!

[shaunyboy]

start with 5 minutes per day if he's ok with that up it to 10 minutes per day then once he's ok with that 15 minutes per day

after they're happy to come out and be handled for 15 minutes per day they're usually ok all of the time

give him 3 days to digest meals

i always bring my hands up from below when handling as sometimes if you bring a hand down from above they percieve it as a threat (like a bird of prey in the wild)

once young carpets calm down and tollerate you thats pretty much them the rest of their days

if you've been handling food items its not advisable to put your hands in their tanks mate they will most likely mistake you for food also fast hand movements can initiate a strike so slow steady movements are what i've found best

cheers shaun

[brylecc1989]

Thanks Shaun! Always full of useful info.

[dshin963]

One other little thing I would recommend making sure he is eating for at least a couple of weeks before handling... better safe than sorry

[morelia4life]

Mine is a little older, he will be 2 years old in June. I handled him a few times a week for about 30 minutes or so. Yeah, just make sure you don't handle him for at least a day or so after you feed him.