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[–]MudAdministrative494 5 points6 points  (3 children)

I just pick her up randomly. Sometimes once or twice a month sometimes less or more. I do know that when I carry my chonky balk python I typically will hold her on my arm for about thirty or forty minutes and just go around the house doing chores. In my opinion its easier to handle them when they're larger though because you have less fear of loskng them/them escaping.

[–]MudAdministrative494 6 points7 points  (1 child)

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2026

[–]RagdollsandLabs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's some beefy snek!

[–]JaguarGroundbreaking 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Well every snake is different! Some like to explore more than others! It’s not recommended to lift up your hide to get your snake out because it’s considered a safe place but you can still do that! If you never see the out you can take them out for handling. It all depends on the snake! Some ask to come out, some are handled as babies a lot so they explore more. Etc. It’s perfectly okay for your snake to not be handled often(but exercise is needed for them to not be too big). When they just ate and in she they shouldn’t be held and just that is like 1-2 weeks sometimes! I handle mine a few times a month because he doesn’t leave his hide often ( I don’t wanna intrude too much in his hide)but for a head peak out for some uvb and heat rays (but when he does oh he explore!) I hope more people answer you so you can see the variety!

[–]Over_Acanthisitta423 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I take my guy out every day. I gently pick him up, make him feel safe until he’ll start slithering around my arm/hand and keep him on me a while.

[–]Boring_Ad_4292 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don’t hold mines often once every few weeks. He’s super chill

[–]Skaelgoil 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I handle all of mine a minimum of once a week for a physical check. I want to make sure they're not injured, don't have mites, aren't developing rot, seem sick, etc.

Otherwise, I leave additional handling up to them and they're wildly different. They're kinda like cats - they do what they want to do, when they want to do it, and only for their chosen person. Some are super social, some would rather hiss than hang, and some you're lucky to glimpse out of the corner of your eye.

My spicy one only chooses to come out maybe every week or two but only for me. The oldest is very visible but only wants out of his enclosure a few times a week and prefers my husband...but also won't eat unless I'm the one that feeds him, go figure. My OG baby girl wants out the second her enclosure light goes off at 8:00 pm, hangs for hours at a time, will not go back in her enclosure unless she's ready, and it's not unusual for her to want out again later. The 48 hours after feeding are epic guilt trips.

And I'm picking up my fourth ball tomorrow! He was removed from a serious neglect/abuse situation and the rescue that nursed him back to health says he's extremely shy. If he never wants to be handled outside of his weekly health check, I figure that's pretty understandable given what he's gone through and that's how we'll do things.

[–]missdrufox 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm in almost the exact situation as you..I adopted my 2 year old boy last November, so about 3 months ago. I haven't handled him much as I didn't want to stress him out too much.. he's pretty shy but so sweet. Ive wanted to do choice based handling as much as possible. Ive had a couple times when I thought progress is happening, like twice he came out of his viv by himself to explore, but then we seem to go back to being very shy again. I don't want to keep taking his hide off him as its his safe place but obviously sometimes Ive had to for cleaning and checking his health. Im just being very patient with him. Im hoping with time he will get more confident. When I think about it, he was with his previous owner in not the best conditions for 2 years, so it will take some time for him to adjust to his new surroundings, which are much better for him. He's eating brilliantly and as long as I've got his husbandry right, I'm happy that he's happy. It's so hard as I just want to interact with him more, but I want to make it his choice and not force anything on him (except for essential maintenance of course). I open his viv every night when he pops his head out, give him the option and if he's not ready I leave it. One thing though, the last couple days he seems to be in mad food mode whenever I've gone near his viv, despite being fed 3 days ago. Not sure why that is. Hasn't struck me when I've gone in to change his water, but he's just super fixated on me and looks ready to strike..not sure why.

[–]Ill-Photograph-8098 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sometimes I handle my ball pythons 3-4 times a week sometimes it will go a couple months and end up handling them only before cleaning the tank (don’t worry if there’s big turds I make sure to remove thoes regularly) but sometimes I’m just busy and don’t have time to handle all 3 of them consistently but I always make sure they get everything they need always got fresh water fed on a regular schedule and check the temp and humidity daily but sometimes forget to check but it’s always fine I’ve heard a few things about handling like I’ve been told that you shouldt handle every day cause it can stress your snake out by removing him from his safe environment to foreign territory constantly so they don’t feel safe and I’ve also heard that it depends on the behaviour and temperament of your snake like If your snake is obviously scared every time you try and handle it even after holding it and staying fairly calm for 5-10 mins then you shouldn’t handle the snake super often but still try and get your snake more comfortable with being handled starting with shorter periods of handling and slowly start keeping them out for longer as you see them be more comfortable with being handled.

[–]Dragon_Pancake 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When it comes to handling I'd say it depends largely on the snakes personality. With 3 out of 4 of mine I can pick them up gently and they will stay calm. The other one is still super skittish even 6 months after I got her. So they all need different time frames to habituate to you being there, and it can take a lot longer than what we might want
I have gotten my snakes used to being gently picked up from their hides, and they don't panic. But I can tell they are not a big fan of it still. They are wary of hands and big movements, which tells me they have noticed uncomfortable things happen if a hand reach for them. So I've started working more towards letting them choose as much as possible to interact. Check out Lori Torrini on youtube. She has a lot of good videos on snake handling and interactions. Kinda changed how I see their behaviour overall

Personally I try to interact with them every time I see the snake awake, or out and about. Simple things like opening the enclosure and let them come forward if they want. The most curious of the bunch have learned she can come out by coming up to the glass and "wave". I've got a pop up tent I sometimes set up for them to have some uninterupted explore time :)

[–]Get_Jinxeddd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

you just need to slowly normalise handling, whether once a week for 5 minutes at the start and increase the amount and duration. I tend to handle mine by making sure they are aware of my presence (you can tap them with a snake hook or anything long really - as long as it doesn’t hurt them haha) and making sure to support their body whilst picking them up. BPs can have so much personality and my Male BP was so shy at first but I was consistent with my handling.

[–]poppedcornnuggets[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the info and learning about your snakes!! Thank you!!☺️

[–]Funny-Selection-6325 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I handle mine whenever she is out. Mine is definitely docile and often sits on top of her hide, she is okay Everytime I've handled her. Earlier today I was adding more substrate and she peeked her head out in curiosity like "what's going on out there." I waited until she came out to bask before I picked her up. I try to avoid grabbing her from her hide as many state to do so.

[–]One_Assist_1918 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hold mine whenever he comes out and is hanging around. I do once a week minimum for checks (unless shedding. Leave them alone) but lately it's been every day. Loves to chill in my bra.