How often do you handle your snakes?

Tangomaria · 07-28-11, 02:39 PM

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 · 07-29-11, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 07-31-11, 12:20 PM

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.