Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How much do you think is a good amount of handling for young rat snakes? My black rat is 8 months old and I was thinking 5 minutes a day, is this too much stress for a young snake? She is somewhat calm once I get her out of her cage.

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-Andy

It depends on the temperament of the snake. I've had rat snakes that calmed down in a couple of minutes and others that took 10 minutes of passing hand to hand before they chilled out. If the snake seems to calm down- keeping it out longer shouldn't hurt. I don't "hang out" much with my snakes. I mainly handle them to check their health and to clean their cages.
Just an opinion.
Lora

>>How much do you think is a good amount of handling for young rat snakes? My black rat is 8 months old and I was thinking 5 minutes a day, is this too much stress for a young snake? She is somewhat calm once I get her out of her cage.
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>>-Andy

I don't think 5 minutes is too much by any means. It usually takes them that long to calm down. As long as your snake eats regularily and doesn't regurgitate then I would say handle as much as you want or the snake will allow. The more you handle it the tamer it will become (and stay).
I think you will be able to tell if it becomes stressed. If it does back off on the handling, if not, go for it.
MHO
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Jimmy (draybar)

I think that sounds fine, with the exception that I give all of my snakes a couple of days of privacy after eating. In the cooler weather I may even wait 3. Some say that it does not matter that much, but with a new, young snake, I would say it deserves 48 hours of R & R after every meal.
My first snake was an albino black rat yearling. I just fed her this afternoon. Got her about 16 months ago. Great snakes! I have a normal colored black rat with a 66 percent chance of being het for albino also. Maybe I will find out next year! Enjoy and Good Luck. Duffy