New Snake ... Any Tips ...

[Mrs I]

Hiya

I picked up my first baby yesterday and he seems to be settling in well, he had a feed last night then wandered around his tank when the lights went out for a look see.

Just wondering if anyone has any tips on how and when to handle him to get him used to people.

Is there particular times in which not to handle him .ie. daybefore a feed or after?

Just after some insight in what works well for each individual and maybe then i can work something out for myself.

This is a pic of him

My New Baby

Thank for any thoughts...


Mrs I

xxxx

[PhilK]

The general consensus is to leave him for a bit to settle in to his surroundings, and then he shouldn't be handled for a day or two after a feed. Other than this, feel free to take him out for periods of time to get him used to people. Perhaps it'd be wise to take him out frequently (not too frequntly) for small intervals of time. This way in the initial stages he isn't stressed, and as he gets more used to people he cn stay out for longer.

Many people say you shuldn't handle them at all but I don't think there's evidence to suggest this is needed. Alot of people say 10mins a week but that is far too little for me. When I first got Scurvy he came out (after settling in) once a day for about 20mins. Nowdays I can have him out for an hour or two at a time, and he just curls up around my wrist.

Cheers

[Mrs I]

Thanks PhilK.

Being my first, I would like to try do things so that he does not get stressed.

I will leave him a week to settle in.

So if I feed him on Saturday leave him till maybe Tuesday then handle him 10 minutes a day for a while until he gets used to it ??

Thanks again.

Mrs I

xxx

[PhilK]

Usually if I feed one day, I give them the whole next day free, and can handle the day after that. But better safe than sorry with a little bub. Maybe two days would be better. I only own one snake so I'm by no means an expert.. But yeah 10mins a day to get him used to people would be good. Make sure not to worry about getting tagged and stuff 'cause it doesn't hurt when they're hatchies.

[Mrs I]

I havent been tagged yet! And I say yet, but he is small so I doubt it would hurt much if any.

Personal experience is a good teacher, no need to have lots of snakes to speak about what works well for you.

Thanks PhilK

[gozz]

i take mine out side in the sun for about 10 min for a bit of a walk twice a week and pretty well handle them everyday when cleaning the cages out.

[Mrs I]

I just posted pics of his enclosure here

http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/s...528#post894528

Any thoughts?

[Shano92]

thats perfect as long as his got plenty of hide, water, heat ect ect

[Mrs I]

Might be a silly question but how long after a snake eats does it do its business??

[PhilK]

Varies. Some hold onto it until after the next meal. Occasionally Scurvy will hold onto it and the day after he eats he'll crap out the old one. I assume this is to maximise any absorption of nutrients as in the wild they're not sure when their next meal is coming. Sometimes, though, he does it before I feed him again...

[Mrs I]

Thanks PhilK

[MoreliaMatt]

one of my bredli took 44 days once!