Handling new hachlings

[Da Beast]

I just got a couple baby Mexican Black Kings they are were hached on 06/11/10 and i have had them for a week, they are a bit squirmy and try to stike at mmy hand when i handle them or put my hand in the tank (to change water and take them out for there frist meal , which is understandalbe, so my question is how often shoudl i handle them or should i wait a little more till they get more settled in. I am just worred that they migt get stressed and stop eating (they did eat there frist meal with no problems.Thank You that is all

[marvelfreak]

Hello and welcome! I leave them alone for a week until they eat again then give them another three day after eating before i handle them. Then just start out with 5 to 10 minutes a day till they get use to it. Also wash your hand in between handling each if they smell the other snake on you they maybe more likely to bite. As kingsnake will eat other snake. I hope you aren't houseing them together. That's a good way to end up with only one snake. P.S. We love to see some pictures of them.

[infernalis]

My own personal opinion is to keep handling to a minimum when they are babies.

Baby snakes are easily stressed out by handling.

[shaunyboy]

personally i'd make sure they were eating properly first.

then once they're a bit older start with 5 minutes per night.once they were ok with that go to 10 minutes per night then finally on to 15 minutes per night.imo once they're happy with you handling them for 15 minutes at a time they should be ok all of the time for you.

dont handle for 3 days after feeding.this allows them to digest their meal.
cheers shaun

[Da Beast]

thanks for all the advice i think that i will wait till after their next feeding. And i always wait at least three days after feeding any of my snakes. they are being housed separately. Will post pics just don't want to stress them with the flash and all i want to let them get use to handling first

[Freebody]

welcome to the forum