handling while cool

[Fuscus]

I have a couple of snakes I brought as near adult that haven't had much handling, in fact one left three teeth in me when I purchased her.
Anyhow, all the adults are currently cooling at 20c. Is it a good idea to handle them now (about once a week) so that they get used to handling while they are slow or do I run the risk of doing damage to them?

 

[instar]

dont see why it should bother them unless you over do it. i dont handle pre shed though.

 

[NoOne]

I rarely handle snakes if i'm cooling them, esspecially if i'm trying to breed them, i just like them to be left undisturbed for the "winter" but i don't see why it would cause them much harm, personally i would wait until they have been warmed up.

 

[Slateman]

me to

 

[Magpie]

I agree 100% with duga.

 

[Switch]

What harm can you do them if they are cool when handled ?

 

[Magpie]

Just stress reall switch, they are pretty much defensless and they would naturally be hiding.

 

[Pinkie]

Magpie is right about that.

 

[Fuscus]

It is the stress bit that I am worried about. Inital handling is going to stress the snake regardless of weither it is warm or not, does handling cold greatly increase the stress levels and is there any evidence?

 

[michaelh]

Am asking out of genuine interest not just being a smart $%#@ but wouldn't you gradually warm them if you are not planning on breeding them this season?

 

[Fuscus]

I don't quite understand your question, Mike. Are you saying I should do the handling during the warm-up phase?

 

[michaelh]

Sorry didnt make much sense did it,

I was wondering if you could start warming them over a few weeks and then start handling them or if you were keeping them cool for a reason.

I certainly dont know enough to be suggesting ideas, sorry for the confusion.

 

[Fuscus]

It is certainly an idea worth considering, proberly less stree on the animals.
Only some of the animals being cooled I expect to breed this year, I have been informed by someone I respect that cooling carpets each year will greatly prolong their life.

 

[bigguy]

Fuscus

I would not handle them at all why they are cooling down.. This is a time in the reptiles life where they are pretty well defenceless due to their slow matabolism. It would definately stress most reptiles. Some reptiles get very stroppy while shedding and cooling down, and it is best not to handle them at these times. Also if you are planning to breed them you don't want them stressed beforehand.

If you are not planning on breeding them, then as Michaelh said, start warming them up before you handle.

 

[Fuscus]

Thanks for that. Will do.