Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm curious to see how much people physically handle their snakes and the impact it has on the snakes temperment. I don't handle mine very often. To me snakes are more "look at" pets and lots of handling stresses them out. Mine get handled no more than once a week unless its necessary to clean the cage etc., etc. Even then its usually to a very, very short time span. You would think mine would be aggressive, but they are all very tame. Is it the fact that I always handle them very gentle and never confine them that calms them down? Or is it just that I handled them quite a bit as babies? Its very hard not to handle the new additions

I'm sure that people that have only 1 or 2 may handle them constantly, but what about people with 10 or more? Has anyone noticed a profound difference?

Also I'm thinking about getting a female burm. Would the amount of handling I usually do be a bad thing? Personally I think that the people I see packing around a 14 ft burm wrapped around their necks don't have enough respect for it, but thats just my opinion. Sorry so long. Travis

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1.4 Columbians
2.7 Kenyans
0.3 Ball Pythons
1.0 Borneo Blood
0.0.2 Blue Tounged Skinks
3 Dogs
3 Cats
1 Ferret
1 Wife

With large constrictors, I feel it is essential to handle your snakes as much as possible. You want the snake to understand you and know your smells and know that you are not a threat. This can only be established by regular handling sessions. Some snakes are just more friendly then others. Also it is somewhat alright if you have a four foot ball python that is pi$$ed off all the time. It really can't hurt you. Now a 16' burm can kill you so it is in your best interest to do everything you can to ensure its friendly temperment.
As for the carrying large burms around on their shoulders well have you ever tried to move a 100 pound snake from point A to point B. The easiest way to do this and maintain control of this animal is to drape it across your shoulders. So I disagree with you on thiat aspect. Todd

I do have to agree with Todd on this one as well. As for carrying it across your shoulders, its not only physically less demanding on you, but also on the snake. A 100 lb snake or even a 30 lb snake is going to be putting a great deal of pressure on just 2 points if you are carrying it in your hands, or even 4 points with 2 people. Besides the fact that it probably helps the snake feel a great deal safer to have something sturdy underneath, instead of a couple twigs. Just my 2 cents
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1.0 Albino Green Burm
1.1 Java Retic

What I was referring to wasn't necessary movement, but people I've seen just packing them around flea markets or snake shows to show them off. Granted, these were not 100 pounders, but don't you think that is going a little far?
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1.4 Columbians
2.7 Kenyans
0.3 Ball Pythons
1.0 Borneo Blood
0.0.2 Blue Tounged Skinks
3 Dogs
3 Cats
1 Ferret
1 Wife

The parading of large constrictors draped around an owner's shoulders at reptile swaps/flea markets and such certainly evokes very negative stereotypes of the "average" herp owner....it is all about the "wow" effect. This same behavior, for example, at a reptile event whose purpose is education, for the sake of moving the animal to a stage or something similar, is perfectly fine. This may seem hypocritical but it all boils down to responsible ownershipa and being sensitive to the fact that the public exhibition of a large snake, outside of the proper context, is just plain irresponsible. I personally can't stand such behavior but in the case of simply moving a large constrictor from "a" to "b" as Todd put it, and, if done in the proper context (not out in public), then there is nothing wrong with it. Personally, the far superior option would be to have 2-3 people moving a large constrictor as we do at our wildlife center, however, I will, on a fairly regular basis, lug around our 100 to 200 pound burms loosely around my shoulders when moving them for purposes of cleaning, exercise, physical exams, etc. Rob

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)