Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How long should I leave my baby kingsnake to settle in before I attempt to start handling him?

They say 3 days is the average. once you have him home and in his enclosure don't do anything with him for at least 3 days.
I read once on here this person had a baby corn snake and showed it off at a party. The poor little thing died and the owner didn't know why...duh! Babies stress easy.

ok thanks for the advice!

Most of the time he has spent buried right underneath the substrate, although I have seen him come up a couple of times for a dip in his water bowl Is spending a lot of time under the substrate normal behavior for a baby (or even adult) king? It may be because there isnt a hide in the tub because it is so small.

Do you have any tips on handling the baby king for the first time? Im going to attempt to handle him tomorrow before I feed him. (I bought him home saturday afternoon).

I handle mine before I feed them too. Just pick him/her up gentley. If he races off you have to be quick..but gentle. Once you have him you can cup your hands.. he'll feel more secure with holding since it's a baby. Then just let him move about if he wants.
Paper towel or t.p rolls make great hides for babies. I still have them in with my yearling corns and they still hide in them.

>>ok thanks for the advice!
>>
>>Most of the time he has spent buried right underneath the substrate, although I have seen him come up a couple of times for a dip in his water bowl Is spending a lot of time under the substrate normal behavior for a baby (or even adult) king? It may be because there isnt a hide in the tub because it is so small.
>>
>>Do you have any tips on handling the baby king for the first time? Im going to attempt to handle him tomorrow before I feed him. (I bought him home saturday afternoon).

Yes, that is normal. Babies instinctively spend the bulk of their time hiding. That is because when they are very small, they are more subject to predation. If you don't provide them an adequate opportunity to hide, they will be stressed and may not feed. Burrowing under the substrate provides them with contact security, and fills that need. You can also just use paper towels or newspaper for substrate and then provide a small box (just big enough for him to get into) for a hide. Contact with the sides of the hide is more important than dark. They need to feel like they are in a space that is just big enough for them (thus too small for a threat to get in there with them).

Once they have a couple of days to settle in and get used to their cage and start feeling secure, then you can start to handle them for just a few minutes at a time. Baby snakes are very easily stressed, so limit the handling time at first to no more than 5 minutes or so. As they become accustomed to being handles, then you can increase the time somewhat. Do not handle him immediately after feeding (for at least 24 hours). If you stress them right after they eat, they will likely regurgitate, which starts a whole myriad of other problems.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

ok thanks a lot everyone for all your advice!

Well I just handled him for 5 minutes. He did try and make a dash for it at the start, but I was quick and gentle as advised. After a short while he calmed down, and was crawling over my hand, between my fingers etc. I then coughed lightly, which seemed to scare him and he started getting a bit agitated again, so I put him back in his home for today. I will feed him today then attempt to handle him again in another couple of days.