When to start handling?

[Kaianuanu]

So I've had my tiny 15" male coastal hatchling for a little under 2 months now and I just got him to take his first meal 2 days ago, which was a live fuzzy. It was kind of funny because he was pretty clumsy when he tried wrap it and find its nose to swallow it all while hanging from his favorite perch. Anyway, since I have been trying to get him to eat for so long, I haven't had a chance to handle him much. And he is mean as a snake (pun intended) so I want to start taming him down ASAP, unlike my sweet jungle female, Fluffy, who is also a great eater. Anyway, do you guys think I should start handling him as soon as he passes this meal or should I wait until he starts eating regularly?

[Mikoh4792]

It wouldn't hurt to give him a few more meals before regularly handling him. If it were me I'd probably just handle it once for a few minutes before the next time I feed it.

[MrCaveman]

Yeah I'd wait a few more meals untill he is eating regularly, cuz you never know, the slightest bit of stress could make them refuse to eat and you probably dont wanna restart the feeding process. I usually wait until they've had 3 meals before I take out my new snakes

[Lankyrob]

I tend to wait for three consecutive feeds with no refusals before handling.

[SSSSnakes]

I would also wait for a few more feed before stressing him out. Personally I only handle my snakes when I have to. I don't necessarily think it the taming down of the snake as much as it is the way the handler handles the snake.

[Donnie]

I would do the same as most above and let it get at least another 3 meals in him before I would handle.

[franks]

Waiting will not hurt the taming process in my opinion. Most coastals calm down and handle easier the bigger and (consequently) more confident they grow.

[shaunyboy]

i would always wait until a snakes eating regular, before handling them to calm them down

cheers shaun

[Terranaut]

I agree with the above but will add this.
You can start a baby carpet on f/t rat pinks right out of the egg.
Imho this is the best way to go. No live...no mice. Again just my opinion but much easier to wait a bit for it to eat than to change it later. Unless you intend to feed live forever. But again...rats right away is best...not easiest but best.

[shaunyboy]

I agree with the above but will add this.
You can start a baby carpet on f/t rat pinks right out of the egg.
Imho this is the best way to go. No live...no mice. Again just my opinion but much easier to wait a bit for it to eat than to change it later. Unless you intend to feed live forever. But again...rats right away is best...not easiest but best.

^^^^^
i agree mate.....

rat pups from straight out the egg is always the best way to go

cheers shaun