Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
How often and for how long do you all handle your Blood Pythons? Is this an animal that appears to enjoy frequent, extended periods of handling or are they more of a display type python? Thanks for your time,
_Wayne.

Cbb blood pythons easily learn to tolerate regular handling. I have my boy out virtually everyday. Comparing that to an ETB I keep, gentle enough to handle as needed, but pretty much only as needed, the python is a pet; the boa is primarily a display animal.

I can watch a whole movie with my big boy sitting on my lap.As long as he doesn't get too hot he just chills.My regular handling sessions last about half and hour to fifteen minutes.
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Ashley Lopez's Black Forest Constrictors.
blackforestconstrictors@gmail.com
website

I've kept snakes for over 25 years now...I used to do educational programs in the school system here, and holding and passing around my snakes was part of the presentation.

However, when it comes to my personal collection, which I raise in the hopes of breeding success, I don't really think of snakes as animals to be held and carried around like other classes of animals. 95% of my holding my snakes is simply moving them to an alternate container while I clean cages. My Bloods are fine to be moved around and I've not had a single strike in the last year, but I don't know how they'd feel about being held for long periods of time...I assume they'd become a bit testy. ANYHOW, for those who like closer interaction with your snakes, I think that's great.

All the best-
Jim
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"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose."
Jim Elliott

It depends on the snake. Like you, I was once very involved with educational presentations, and had a variety of animals that I used. My breeder animals were not among, for the most part. Since my primary focus now is breeding, I don't mess with them a whole lot...just enough so they are used to it (and for most of them, that works quite well).

My bloods were imported a little over a year ago. They all tolerate minimal handling - but a couple of them still get pretty hissy jumpy when approached. The most I have done is carried one across the house to get to its enclosure (after a leisurely soak in the tub).

I dont have a single blood that I have raised that has a problem with long periods of handling. As long as you keep at it and get them used to handling it wont be a problem. I do have some animals that I aquired at older ages WC or just that I didnt happen to buy as babies that can get a little agitated and thrash after they get handled "innapropriately" but most are fine for very long periods of time just as long as they are in a chill relax enviornment. Occasionally one will poop on strangers if he gets passed around too much, it kinda funny actually.
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior