Handling New Snake

Luthien · 01-31-15, 10:45 AM

Ok so I know you need to leave Corn Snakes for awhile to settle in to their new homes when you first get them but...

How do you know when their settled and it's ok to handle them?

All my friends snakes stay in their hides all day so I doubt I could tell by her coming coming out to explore (which she has done twice for a few minutes). Can I start holding her after her first successful feeding? Or her second feeding or third? Give me your opinions!

**EL Ziggy** · 01-31-15, 10:54 AM

I try not to handle new snakes until they've eaten at least twice with no issues. I know it can be hard not to handle them sooner though.

Jim Smith · 01-31-15, 10:55 AM

If you've had your snake for a week or so and she has fed successfully at least once, it should be okay to handle her provided she has not been fed within the past two days. Keep the handling sessions fairly short at first, under five minutes and as she calms down more, you can increase them to 10-15 minutes if that's what you want. I personally only handle my snakes just enough so that they are not stressed out when I pick them up. That's usually once a week or so at the most. Just one man's opinion...

Luthien · 01-31-15, 11:24 AM

When I brought her home and handled her then she seemed really calm and just checked me out moving slowing up my arms and twining in my fingers. She's a very calm snake to begin with so I think that will help.

I tried to feed her on Thursday but she wasn't even interested so I'm leaving her alone (it's seriously hard!) till Monday then I'll try again, if she still isn't interested I'll leave the mouse in her viv over night and see if she takes it that way

Thanks for the opinions it confirmed what I figured!