how long should you handle the snake each time and how off ten should you handle it while taming your snake?

Question

i have had the snake for about a week and a half i dont wanna over do it by handling the snake to much

Answer 1

It all depends on the snake. Some can tolerate quite a bit of handling and others will get stressed easily if you handle them too much. If you only had your snake for a week and a half, I would recommend that you leave it completely alone until it eats a few times. If you stress it out too much by handling it, you might find that it doesn't want to eat.

After 2-3 successful feedings you could probably handle him a couple times a week for about 10-15 minutes, then extend the time from there. Your snake will tell you if it doesn't want to be handled by either hissing, looking for someplace to hide, curling up in a ball and staying that way (if it's a Ball Python), or excreting musk all over you.

Older snakes can tolerate handling better than young snakes. Remember, to most snakes you are like a huge predator that is trying to make a meal out of him.

Answer 2

Every snake has their own individual personality. Some like handling and some don't. Sounds like you already have a good idea about when not to handle your snake, so I would say that all you need to do at this point is to keep a close eye out for signs of stress. If you ball python starts acting "off" then leave it alone for a few days. As long as it isn't stressing the snake out, and it seems to like being handled, then go for it.

Answer 3

Start with some gentle handling about every other day for about 15 minutes (less if the snake acts nervous). Gradually, you can work up to handling your snake friend almost as often as you want. Some snakes, like corn snakes, small boas, and garter snakes tolerate handling much better than others and enjoy being handled, so they only need to be handled weekly to maintain their docility. Others, however, need much more regular handling -- sometimes at least 20 minutes daily. Once you and your snake are calm and happy with each other, there is really no limit to the time you spend together. I often let my rosy boa sit in a fanny pack with some holes punched in it so he can keep me company and enjoy some warmth while I work.

Answer 4

'Taming' a snake is a debatable issue. There is a lot of controversy over whether it can really be done, and if it is a good idea.

A good chunk of research indicates that 'tamed' snakes are actually ill snakes- rib injuries, poor diet or lack of vitamins (often Vitamin D or B13), or just one that is not kept in the best of conditions. It is also well known that handling most snakes induces stress.

Now- some snakes can become used to certain kinds of handling- which is not quite the same thing as becoming 'tamed'. For this, you need to handle the snake in a way that is consistant with its natural tendencies AND learn to recognize the signs of aggitation for your snake.

For example: a tree-dwelling snake (Black rat snake, Fox snake, etc.) likes being high, can handle wrapping around fingers, and is not stressed by being off the ground.

A ground-dwelling snake (Bullsnake, etc.) hates being held high, and prefers being 'lapped' or at least cradled. They generally do not hold on to you well and are very stressed by being off the ground.

Most snakes show aggitation by increased tongue flicking, increasingly frenzied movement, making noises, and a definite effort to escape or hide. In most snakes, the next step is striking.

You also DO NOT want to handle your snake after feeding or when the shedding process starts. (When the eyes clear up and the skin starts to come off, SOME snakes like being held and use us as a shedding tool.)

You've got to think about this from the standpoint of a snake. Snakes seem to categorize things as shelter, food, mates, competitors, or predators. We are obviously not food, mates, or competitors.

Aim to be considered 'shelter':
- Never just pick it up- especially from the 'bird strike' position of an overhead claw. Stroke the snake gently first to warn it (and wake it if it is asleep. Use the response to this to gage whether to handle it or not. Try to sort of 'scoop' it up rather than just snatching it like a hawk would.
- Hold it appropriately (tree or cradle positions) and let it move as freely as possible. If you do have to restrict its movements, try to do so in a way that does not make it think you are fighting it. The 'endless branches' technique, for example, of just making sure there is always a hand under it's head to climb up on if better than just grabbing the head and holding it back.
- If the snake settles into a position, let it rest there as long as it wants. You can often actually feel it relax. This is a good sign!
- Most animals enjoy being gently stroked along the muscles. If your snake seems to enjoy this, go ahead and pet it. If it seems to dislike it, stop it.

If you can successfully fool the snake into thinking you are an interesting kind of tree or hidey hole, you've got it made.

One point- your own body heat will warm the snake up. We generally see snakes go through a few phases of being handled:
1. Cold and stiff at first (this stage may be delayed if the cage is nice and warm)
2. Warm and relaxed- the best handling stage
3. Getting too warm and aggitated. Back they go.

Answer 5

i dont really think you can over-handle a snake... but if its a concern, i would reccomend no more than 7-10 minutes a handling

Answer 6

my snake is out of its cage most of the day hanging around on my shoulder or coiled around my arm, you should handle him at least an hour a day i would say but It wouldn't hurt if you kept him out longer. good luck!

Answer 7

Never is to long snakes r CREEPY...EWW!!! Nasty!!! YUCKY!!!

but if ur it to reptiles thats cool handle him as much as u can i guess if u like snakes it will make the thing nicer and no so hissy...

Answer 8

if you hold a snake 30 minutes a day, you will start to notice a big difference soon, just be nice to it when you hold it.

Answer 9

as often as you can, other wise it could become less friendly with you, and don't forget that you need to feed it out of it's normal cage or it will think that you are feeding it every time that you stick your hand in and you will confuse it and get bitten

Answer 10

you cannot over handle a snake..

.............the more handling it gets..the tamer it will be :)

i handle both mine on a daily basis