My male bp began his winter fast around mid November. I am not worried about him as he's kept his weight and it's only been a few weeks. He is about 1 1/2 years old and fasting for the first time since I got him a year ago. I have one question though....Is it still okay for me to handle him about once or twice a week for 1/2 hour to 1 hour at a time? Or could that amount of handling contribute to a difficulting in resuming a healthy appetite in the spring?
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Ok to handle a fasting bp???
pythagoras
Jan 12, 2004 01:53 PM
Replies (2)
Carmichael
Jan 12, 2004 05:54 PM
Personally, I think you are running the risk of putting undue stress on this snake. Even my healthy bp's don't get handled for 1/2 hour increments; bp's are some of the most well equipped animals at hiding stress (don't think that your cute bp is cuddled up against you because it loves you...it may be balling up because it is scared to death). So, just go easy on the handling; particularly during the fasting period. Every bp is different and I have one that can be handled as often as I want and it doesn't effect its feeding habits in the least. I have others where if I handle them more than once a week, they go on long, self imposed fasts. Just use your best judgement.
Rob Carmichael
pythagoras
Jan 13, 2004 11:32 AM
I will definitely limit my handling to weekly maintainence then. Thanks for the reply!
Jeremy
