Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've just received new (about 4 months old) Knob Kings and have fed them. How soon can my kids handle them after they have eaten?

about 4 days.

This could best be answered by observation of the snakes behavior. Usely after a big meal the snake will sleep for 3-4 days before they start to move, but beware, handling in the 5-8 day can get you pooped on.

I would like to add you should probably feed the snake every 4 days. So that does not leave a large window for handling.

The larger the meal the longer the time it takes to safely digest w/o getting a regurge.

A small neonate that is fed a picky for instance you could handel in 2 days. If fed a large fuzzy (reccomended) and the snake is still under 12" I would wait 4 days.

It best to feed large meals for a neonate so its resistance and growth will ensure a healthier/happier captive with better chance of reaching adulthood.

Beautiful saddles!!!

Well, my answer is not quite the same. Many people seem to be, IMO, overly worried about 'stressing' their snakes with handling.

The main concern, and rightly so, is not causing the animal to get so riled up that he regurges his meal. It is hard on the animal and a waste of a meal.

Afetr feeding I wait at least 24 hrs for handling. I have a total of 5 snakes; 1 Yellow Anaconda, 3 Kings and a young Eastern Milk. They all get handled by the 24 hr rule and I have not had any issuees at all with stress or regurge.

I might add though, that all 5 tolerate handling very well, no musking, or tail wggling at all.

Anyway, just my own experiences and opinion.