handling your snakes

[drache]

this is something we allude to from time to time, so I thought to start a thread about it
some people never handle their snakes, unless necessary
some take them everywhere
there are philosophical positions on the subject . . .
I'm sort of moderate
I have a few snakes that really seem to enjoy hanging out with me and I with them
and some that clearly find it stressful
just a couple of days ago, I realized something though:
the snakes that I handle a lot have a great big advantage over those I don't
when something's going on with them, I notice it immediately, even if it's minor
with those shyer snakes I don't handle so often, I might miss something until the signs are more noticeable
now I have guilt feelings about this
what's the balance between the stress I'm causing them, by handling them more often, and early detection of possible problems?

[Sid]

Rhea, I handle all of mine once a week, very briefly. This is simply to inspect them. The handling is not enough to keep them "tame" by any means. Just gives the assurance there are no visible problems arising.

[anji1971]

Since I lost the one snake a couple weeks ago, and have been learning so many new things about their care, I have tried to handle Deejay every day. She has calmed down dramatically in just a couple of weeks, so it has definitely been a positive experience for her (and me too!!) I wonder now if the mom would have done the same if I'd been a little less nervous with her?? But I guess if they seem stressed out by the handling, you would naturally back off a bit- better to have a happy antisocial snake than a stressed out miserable one!!

[GarterGuy]

Hey Rhea, I pretty much agree with how Sid does things with his snakes. I handle mine at least once a week, just to check body condition and such. Also, those snakes that are really skittish, should eventually learn to calm down some after having been handled for a time. A lot of my garters that started out being really skittish have now tamed down pretty well with just being handled once a week or so.

[Rook]

I handle rook every day, exept when he is getting ready to shed, then he preferes to be left alone. he enjoys handling, and settles himself into my hand happy as can be.

[adamanteus]

Like Sid and Roy, I briefly handle and examine all my snakes regularly, maybe two or three times a week when I clean the vivs. I have one or two snakes that seem particularly comfortable about being held, these ones I sometimes handle for slightly longer periods and for no particular reason, but this is for my pleasure rather than theirs!

[drache]

like you I inspect all my snakes once a week and do a quick check when I give them fresh water
so that should be enough then
I guess there's been perhaps some concern on my part, ever since I lost my similis and didn't see it coming

[enigma200316]

I don't really think of handling my Garters a lot for some reason...but as for say a Python, I'd rather get them young and hold them all the time to keep them use to me, maybe because a Garter bite isn't really anything big and a Python could hurt a bit...........

[RZL36]

My garters only get handled when I am cleaning their cages. Every now-and-again I put my hand in the enclosure and as long as I am still they'll climb my arm. The second I move they dart in another direction. They are crazy, but i like that.

[flakgunner]

hey,
will handle/hold our snakes,at least a few times a week.alot has to do with which one,the garter snakes,do well but are always on the move,my Outer Banks Kingsnake,will sit around my neck,for quite sometime,I can walk the neighborhood,get the mail,just enjoying the view,but the Cal.Kingsnake wont,as far as the Rat snakes,the minute I open the door,the Western Fox snake,comes out to investigate,and will crawl into are hand,and stay their,the Red Rats do good,but the Yellow's & Blacks not so good,the Baird's Rat are abit skittish ,and one of the Bull snakes,forget it!!,once he's out,all he want to do is put distance ,between him and everyone else.

Joe