Hard Question

[Elliot]

Like easterns and maritimes and I think Oregon red spots and Florida blues and a some more I can't remember.

[infernalis]

Andria, you asked

We have several snakes that I would never subject to much "holding"
yet I would feel an extreme loss without them.

My Nerodia Sipedon (Water snake) is no "holder" by a long shot, I can feed him by holding a minnow by the tail, and he will take it from my hand.

He lives in a pretty hexagon on a stand, and I would miss him so much if he was not there.

Xena my #1 dekay gal, she will wrap around me, and will even throw a fit when I put her back in the tank, by wrapping around my hand. My Puget "Sky" is close.

The corn snake is so handsome, but he once tried to eat my finger, Our Pueblan has the prettiest colors, yet he goes nuts and musks all over whenever any attempt is made to "hold" him.

You obviously feel something for this snake, or there would be no internal struggle, it would be released by now.

So really, if you feel you may regret it later, it's only a one in a million that you would ever encounter that same animal again.

If you find it visually entertaining, whats a little groceries?? Heck, my kids get on my nerves more than any snake ever would, and I still feed them

[Snaky]

I never 'hold' my snakes. It's just not something I find fun, not do I think that it benefits the snakes. It's something personal. But if you know that, then all my snakes are 'display' snakes. It's fun to watch them, study their behavior, follow the shedding, birth, ...

So in my opinion, you really don't need a 'holding' snake, it's just as good to keep the snake for viewing. But if you yourself need it that you 'hold' the snake for it to become really interesting for you, then it's best to let it go.

Altough, I wonder how long ago it was that you catched it... Because letting a snake go after 1 year in captivity, I don't find that such a good idea.

[Stefan-A]

I couldn't agree more.

Personally, I've never really understood why some people have to pet their reptiles, handle them or even "play" with them, as somebody put it. I think the snakes enjoy it about as much as a mouse when a cat is "playing" with it. I haven't seen anything below cats, that would have actually shown any interest in interacting with humans for "fun". Of course, you could ask if a cat's or dog's play is just about triggered instincts or if it is about boredom (lack of stimuli). And if that qualifies as joy.

Of course I admit I handle most of my snakes. A minute or so every week. It's a waste of my time and it annoys the snakes.

[zooplan]

I can´t agree to your clear point of view, Stefan!
There are some snakes in my colletion I know for sure, that they enjoy handling or even are interessted in the change.
On the other hand there are other snakes that never like it.

BTW: I have no time and see also no sense in handling theme for another reason than checking their health or putting them to another box while cleaning the cage.

[anji1971]

Andrea, I don't know what to tell you about your snake, other than to agree with Wayne, that if you really feel attached to him and you think you'll regret letting him go, then you'd best not do that!
My first garter, Dojo, was never a "holdable" snake. She musked, bit and generally threw a tantrum whenever I did more than just relocate her quickly for cleaning. Now Deejay, on the other hand, comes flying to the top of the tank as soon as I come near it, so she can come out and walk around. And Chili is somewhere in the middle. She doesn't come willingly to my hands, but once there, she'll hang out for a few minutes. She doesn't like it a lot, so I keep handling to a minimum with her. But no way could I let her go now! She is such a beautiful snake, and I love watching her.
I would say that as long as you get something out of having the snake, whether you can hold it or not, then it's well worth keeping it.