How often do you handle your Boa?

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by millertime89

Weekly usually. Sometimes more. Mostly just when I'm cleaning as I set out food the day after so they start to smell it and get antsy and they're usually in feed mode for 2-4 days after so that's 4-5 days out of the week right there.

Honest question Kyle, does that even constitute handling? I do the same thing so don't think I'm criticizing you. I don't really consider it handling at all.

[millertime89]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Honest question Kyle, does that even constitute handling? I do the same thing so don't think I'm criticizing you. I don't really consider it handling at all.

Nah it's cool man. I get where you're coming from. It's probably an "eye of the beholder" thing. I do more than just move them when I take them out for cleaning. I'll usually interact with them when I move them for cleaning too. I'll let them explore, take pictures of them, etc. at the same time.

[MDT]

Replace the word boa with pythons.....as little as I need to. Unless an animal comes to me with purpose and wags a tail or purrs, it doesn't need me to jack with it.

YMMV.

[D Grade]

Originally Posted by MDT

Replace the word boa with pythons.....as little as I need to. Unless an animal comes to me with purpose and wags a tail or purrs, it doesn't need me to jack with it.

YMMV.

Don't take this the wrong way or being rude, but why have a snake if you don't handle it? I think thats the most appealing and rewarding part of owning a snake. Just curious.

[Cmwells90]

Originally Posted by D Grade

Don't take this the wrong way or being rude, but why have a snake if you don't handle it? I think thats the most appealing and rewarding part of owning a snake. Just curious.

I keep snakes because they're fasinating, I love to watch them live in their larger homes I provide and climb and "hunt". This alone is enough for me. If I want an animal I can cuddle with or handle all the time, I'd get a mammal, because they actually can benefit from being handled. My boa doesn't seem phased by the fact that I hardly handle her, and when I do get her out, she's still very sweet.

[MDT]

Originally Posted by D Grade

Don't take this the wrong way or being rude, but why have a snake if you don't handle it? I think thats the most appealing and rewarding part of owning a snake. Just curious.

No worries...no offense taken...I just look at snakes (reptiles) differently. One, they're ectothermic. You are taking them out of what should be a pretty decent habitat and most likely subjecting them to a very cool home. I'm my case, retics and carpets. I know that for short duration it prob doesn't matter that much....but, I just try to limit the fluctuations. Secondly, and this has been beat to death on this forum. Snakes don't like us. My snakes don't recognize me, they don't love me, they tolerate me. Like I said above, if it wags a tail, purrs, or moves toward me with purpose...I'll scratch it behind its ears.

I love reptiles. I've kept snakes for over 30 some years. I have wrapped more than a few around my neck in my younger days and chilled out or gone for walks. I just look at things differently now. I am more of an "observer" hobbyist....I am not judging nor condemning if you enjoy holding your animals. Just do it responsibly.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by D Grade

Don't take this the wrong way or being rude, but why have a snake if you don't handle it? I think thats the most appealing and rewarding part of owning a snake. Just curious.

I'm not MDT but I have a similar mindset to him so I thought I would answer.

I keep many snakes and I handle none on a regular basis. I enjoy keeping snakes because I've been fascinated by them since I was 2. (Or so the stories my parents tell me go) Everything about them. However, in my hobby, I enjoy observing the species. As MDT responded, they don't need us and aslong as I have their habitat set up properly they don't care for me. I enjoy seeing them grow/thrive and reproduce. That's my enjoyment.

We all share the same passion though and I'm always happy and excited seeing others share and show their passion. As long as the animal isn't any worse for it I have zero issue with people's preferences to think snakes "like or love" them.

[D Grade]

Originally Posted by Minkness

I'm with you D lol

If anything I'm trying to rationalize a second snake so I don't over handle the one I have now lol

I hear ya and I know Ill be sharing that same mindset when we get our lil guy/gal.

Originally Posted by MDT

No worries...no offense taken...I just look at snakes (reptiles) differently. One, they're ectothermic. You are taking them out of what should be a pretty decent habitat and most likely subjecting them to a very cool home. I'm my case, retics and carpets. I know that for short duration it prob doesn't matter that much....but, I just try to limit the fluctuations. Secondly, and this has been beat to death on this forum. Snakes don't like us. My snakes don't recognize me, they don't love me, they tolerate me. Like I said above, if it wags a tail, purrs, or moves toward me with purpose...I'll scratch it behind its ears.

I love reptiles. I've kept snakes for over 30 some years. I have wrapped more than a few around my neck in my younger days and chilled out or gone for walks. I just look at things differently now. I am more of an "observer" hobbyist....I am not judging nor condemning if you enjoy holding your animals. Just do it responsibly.

I completely understand your view and Aaron's view. I was actually thinking that must have been the reason. I respect that approach and you've certainly had your hands on time so I think you got that out of your system a while ago anyways. I guess a newer owner like me is is naturally going to want to handle more than an experienced owner. Luckily Im getting a docile species first (King). I guess that'll be the one that gets all the handling, hopefully it doesnt mind.

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by MDT

Replace the word boa with pythons.....as little as I need to. Unless an animal comes to me with purpose and wags a tail or purrs, it doesn't need me to jack with it.

YMMV.

^^^^^
agree with the above.....

i only handle my Carpets when it's 100% necessary


for example my 6 year old female Diamond who ive had since 6 months old,has only been handled 3 or 4 times,my 2 Diamond males ive had since 4 months old,are now just over 3 years old and been handled twice each


cheers shaun

[BCISi]

I try to handle my snakes daily, and get them out in the Sunshine whenever possible.

[Jacktar]

daily for about an hour at a time, sometimes longer. I leave him alone for 2 days while he's digesting

[bruteusmaximus]

I just got my first sake about a month ago, after wanting one for about 15 years. That being sad, I usually hold him about every other day/daily unless he's in shed or has just eaten, in which case I wait 2 days to let him digest. Holding him involves him making his way into my hair where he'll stay until I have to wrangle him out to put back into his enclosure.

[D Grade]

Understandable now, just thought Id ask. I guess Im in it for the hands on experience and trying to cuddle with something that doesnt want to be cuddled, lol.

[Minkness]

I'm with you D lol

If anything I'm trying to rationalize a second snake so I don't over handle the one I have now lol

[Minkness]

So far my girl doesn't mind, but it is a serious struggle not to over handle her because of my excitement. Especially with her still being so young lol. I handled her alot the first week I got her. But, since starting her feeding regime I have been handling her less because I have to give her at least 2 days after to digest. And since she's fed every 3-4 days (soon to up it to 4-5) that only leaves a day or two that I can safely handle her. And now she's in blue and I read I shouldn't handle her much then either as it can inhibit the shed process. Soooo...until she sheds, she is handled only when feeding because for now, I choose to remove her from her tank to do so.