No handlin for a while = agressive behaivior

OSMDEATHOWNER · 07-12-12, 06:59 PM

If someone does not handle their ball for a while, will it start to exhibit aggresive behaivior when they try again to start and handle? behaivior like biting or squeezing the person

alessia55 · 07-12-12, 07:06 PM

Probably not. I feel pretty sure that if I didn't touch my BPs for a while they'd be just as gentle as they are today.
Edit to add: now that I'm home and have a new puppy and work full time, I handle them maybe once a week (sometimes once every 2 weeks). Of course I change water, etc, but what I mean is I don't handle them otherwise. I had a few friends over some weeks ago and took them both out and they were their normal "friendly" selves.

Are you worried about leaving Ice for a while without handling?

exwizard · 07-12-12, 07:09 PM

Thats interesting. Ive always credited my snakes docility to frequent handlng but lately I havent handled them as much as I used to and I see no signs of any regression in their temperament. Thayre all still tame as can be. While I have no experience with Balls, Im just relating my observances of my snakes as I see them.

OSMDEATHOWNER · 07-12-12, 07:13 PM

Thanks and yes alessia, I want to see my brother in louisianna and as bad as i wanna take ice i cant. i just wanna make sure me and her are on the same page if i leave and comeback because nobody else is gonna handle her if not needed and shes more of a friend to me then just a pet you know

alessia55 · 07-12-12, 07:15 PM

How long are you leaving her? Will someone be changing her water? Checking temps?
She'll be fine without the handling.

OSMDEATHOWNER · 07-12-12, 07:19 PM

yes her water is always changed daily and her temps will be checked. im leavin for 3 weeks.

alessia55 · 07-12-12, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSMDEATHOWNER

yes her water is always changed daily and her temps will be checked. im leavin for 3 weeks.

She'll be fine

So long as her water is changed and her temps are checked, she doesn't need to be handled. She might even appreciate the time off

Enjoy your trip!! (also, check in more often... and update us with photos!)

OSMDEATHOWNER · 07-12-12, 07:22 PM

sorry i haven't been, its been work but i will update more often and check in more often. Im also lookin for another python, baby or juvenile, male, morph non-normal!

alessia55 · 07-12-12, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSMDEATHOWNER

sorry i haven't been, its been work but i will update more often and check in more often. Im also lookin for another python, baby or juvenile, male, morph non-normal!

Woot wooooot! Let us know what you get

Lankyrob · 07-13-12, 03:44 AM

Each of my snakes get handled either once a month or once every other month, none have them have become more aggressive or defensive - i used to handle all of them multiple times each week but over time have limited handling time more and more, i actually feel that they are more relaxed and settled than they ever were.

brylecc1989 · 07-13-12, 06:36 AM

I had a few weeks where my Carpet Python wasn't handled at all. Now she is much more hissy, and will bluff at me. I definitely saw a direct correlation between the amount of handling and the amount of comfort my snake displayed while being handled. Just my .02.

Rogue628 · 07-13-12, 07:05 AM

Honestly, I think it depends on their own individual personality, how much you handled it before, and how well it took to handling. When I kept in the past, I could go weeks without holding my animals and they were as docile as they were when I handled them frequently. My royals can become a bit head shy, but other than that, I never saw signs of defensiveness, stressed at being handled again, or anything.

To the OP, you shouldn't have to worry about your animal. Go visit your brother, have fun, and don't worry about him having a hissy fit when you return.

Wildside · 07-13-12, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue628

Honestly, I think it depends on their own individual personality, how much you handled it before, and how well it took to handling. When I kept in the past, I could go weeks without holding my animals and they were as docile as they were when I handled them frequently. My royals can become a bit head shy, but other than that, I never saw signs of defensiveness, stressed at being handled again, or anything.

To the OP, you shouldn't have to worry about your animal. Go visit your brother, have fun, and don't worry about him having a hissy fit when you return.

Agreed but I also think that if they've learned about human contact then they're probably not going to revert back to that initial fear they had as babies. I handle mine very little through the winter months as I just like to leave them be during their brumation period. The only one that ever gets a little aggressive is my Dum, but he's always been a **** lol

Jay · 07-13-12, 07:44 AM

Snakes do not profit from handaling anyways, but that's another discussion. If he's got fresh water 3 weeks will be a great break from you.

MoreliAddict · 07-13-12, 07:47 AM

Yes, a lack of handling could lead to aggressive behavior.

I've had this happen to a corn snake I had years ago. I handled it every week at first, and it was super tame. I slowed the handling down, and maybe 2 months went by when I only fed it and changed water, and didn't handle it. Sure enough, it was aggressive when I tried to take him out after those 2 months.