Handling- how much is too much?

[red_tail_ale]

Hey everyone, I really enjoy this forum. It's helped me out through so many problems I've had (or, THOUGHT I had) with my red tailed columbian boa, Basil.

Basil is about 4-5ft and I keep her in an aquarium, but am currently in the process of building her an enclosure meant to house her up to a length of 12ft. She's very mild mannered and does not pry at the mesh or try to escape.

Now, I am curious. How do other boa owners feel about handling of their snakes? I know handling too much may stress the snake out, and handling too little can cause aggressive behavior.

Basil's aquarium is in my bedroom, which is 99% snakeproof. I usually take her into the spare bedroom, which is 100% snakeproof. She has plenty of objects to safely hide in, nothing heavy to fall on her, and no loose carpeting or vents to escape through. I bring her into this room from my bedroom and she'll usually sit with me for a while, then slither about the room for a while and rest until I put her back up. To ease stress, I turn off the lights and listen to music on my laptop with headphones (no vibrations). I will check on her from time to time to make sure she's safe, but will typically avoid following her around the room or trying to handle her. With the door closed the temperature can typically reach 70-75 degrees, even during winter. I never leave the room for extended periods of time just to ensure her safety.

Because she is growing, the aquarium can be a tad cramped when she's moving about. So, these late-night roamings seem to please her.

So my question is, how often is it appropriate to handle your snake? Obviously I don't handle her during shed or 48 hours after feeding, and avoid handling her if she's soaking herself or in her hide.


Also, are there any signs of distress I should be looking for when I have her roaming the room? Anything that could indicate fear at being out in the open?

[Strutter769]

Wow,?! It sounds like you are really cautious with her, which I think is excellent. I think different breeds sometimes tolerate handling differently. I think Colombians are possibly one of the most tolerant of all breeds, perhaps second only to Ball Pythons or Corn Snakes. With that said, I sour recommend maybe twice a week with the obvious exceptions you mentioned.

As for signs of stress, you'll probably receive better advice soon, but the obvious signs would be refusing to eat, things like that.

I'm sure you'll get much more support here shortly. Good luck and enjoy her. Oh, and show us LOTS of pictures!!

[red_tail_ale]

Originally Posted by Strutter769

Wow,?! It sounds like you are really cautious with her, which I think is excellent. I think different breeds sometimes tolerate handling differently. I think Colombians are possibly one of the most tolerant of all breeds, perhaps second only to Ball Pythons or Corn Snakes. With that said, I sour recommend maybe twice a week with the obvious exceptions you mentioned.

As for signs of stress, you'll probably receive better advice soon, but the obvious signs would be refusing to eat, things like that.

I'm sure you'll get much more support here shortly. Good luck and enjoy her. Oh, and show us LOTS of pictures!!

Thanks! I've only had her since October, and she came to me with a nasty RTI...so really, I'm like one of those overprotective parents. But I'm getting better.

I'll try to post some pictures. They're older pictures (about november/december) so she's smaller and the room is...well, messier. There's never anything that could harm her but she prods everything new on the floor, don't want her getting cut or scraped.

One thing I have noticed- when she's roaming the room, sometimes I'll notice her completely stretched out, and she's stopped moving, and I can see her breathing in and out quickly. Is this something they usually do when stretched out, or is she catching her breath after moving about?

Or is it a sign of stress from being exposed?

[Strutter769]

In my opinion, most likely catching a quick breath, enjoying the view. BS careful not to get too confident about what is "snake-proof." It's just about that time when one little detail is overlooked, or you get a little bit relaxed on something you normally do, and you're right here learning how to capture a missing snake.

All I'm saying is you can never, ever, be too cautious! It only takes one and you are looking at an empty tank. Worst nightmare, believe me.

Sounds like you're doing really well.

[Strutter769]

Also, I think if she felt over-exposed, she wouldn't freeze in the open. I think she'd be looking for shelter. Just my opinion though. Each animal is different.

[red_tail_ale]

Oh, I agree!

Actually had an incident a month or two after I got her.

In this room is a vintage restaurant booth picked up by my brother some 5 years ago. It stuck out a little from the wall, and it was her favorite spot to hide behind.

Well, one day I peer over and watch her slithering up and inside of the booth. Apparently the seat of the booth had an overlapping lip over the base, and she was halfway inside and impossible to pull out.
Luckily, the lip led to the hollow bottom, so all it took was tilting the booth forward and pulling her out.

A few days later she was back and I thought nothing of it, as she seemed to enjoy the privacy.
Then, I noticed she had crawled into a narrow space where the base of the backrest met the seat. She could hardly fit into it and got stuck.
So, after about 10 minutes with some Cutco scissors and a crowbar (far away from her, mind you) I managed to get through the upholstery and pry off the board to free her.

After a thorough check, I'm positive there's no way for her to get into the backrest (which would be a nightmare to free her from). I cleaned all the exposed wood and removed any exposed nails or staples used to hold the booth together. Now, it's her favorite hiding spot, and retrieving her is as easy as lifting the booth up slowly.

[Terranaut]

I have 2 RTB's and we handle them every other day and our male sometimes even more. Typicaly we keep it under 10 min unless we let them roam a bit them maybe 1/2 hr total out of their viv and they are great with it. It will vary from snake to snake but ours are great and always seem to be ok with coming out to play. A change in behavior or appetite would be a sign of possible overhandling (and other things as well like illness or bad husbandry). If your snake is happy enjoy and have your playtime. So listen to your snake. They are the best judge of what is to much.

[alessia55]

When I have my snakes with me, I take them out every day except the 48hrs after feeding. Kaybe (my 2yr old) especially seems loves it. More importantly, they tolerate it and I love it.

[DavethePython]

We handle our BP's every night after we get home from work. Usually 15 to 30 minutes except on feeding days . I live in the north in Canada so the weather dictates how long we handle them. They tend to cool down really fast right now . I usually judge how long I hold them by the temp of their skin. When they start to feel cool we put them back.

[Jay]

I limit handaling zero - none, there are no benefits handaling a snake. IMO it just ads stress.

[Norm66]

Originally Posted by jay0133

I limit handaling zero - none, there are no benefits handaling a snake. IMO it just ads stress.

If I couldn't handle my snakes I'd stick to fish.

[Strutter769]

Originally Posted by Norm66

If I couldn't handle my snakes I'd stick to fish.

I concur! Except for the fact I don't seem to BRB able to keep fish alive. Of course the only fish I really want are the expensive, not-so-hearty variety.

[Gungirl]

I tend to handle some of my snakes 2-3 times a month and for maybe 10 min each time. My other snakes NEVER get handled.

[Lankyrob]

My guys probalby get about 10 mins handling each month, unless there is a specific reason to check one out they pretty much get left alone.

[lady_bug87]

I'm holding my boa right now....