how often shoud you handle and feed a pet snake?

[gyppygip]

I have an 18 month old jungle carpet python, i handle him about 3 times a week, most the time when i go to get him out of the vivarium he wraps himself around a branch so i cant get him out, he is very friendly when he is out but still freaks out when i touch him in the vivarium. How often should you handle a pet snake? do they really mind if you dont handle them and if i dont handle him that much will he become nasty? also is there anyway to get him to come to me when i open the vivarium? i know thats probably a silly question.
also i am feeding him weaner rats 1 every 2 weeks, he is about 1.5 metres-2 metres long, does this sound ok?
thanks for your help

 

[python_dan89]

I think he should be on a little bit bigger food... Im getting a girl palmerston 8 months old and she is on fuzzys... and with the enclosure i think its just being territal with its grounds... typical jungle i would be happy with it just bump up the food...

Just my thought only learning also...

cheers, Daniel

 

[J-A-X]

I have an 18 month old jungle carpet python, ..........................also i am feeding him weaner rats 1 every 2 weeks, he is about 1.5 metres-2 metres long, does this sound ok? thanks for your help

1 weaner rat a fortnight and he is 1.5 - 2m long ! ! i'm surprised he's not ripping your arm off every time you open the tank, i have 8mth old darwins, around 1m long, they comfortably handle weaner rats (and this batch is large) every week, and they are cruising on day 7, cos they are hungry, Up the food size .. a little at a time, don't jump too big too quick,

as for handling, its very subjective, some say often is fine, others have the opinion that they don't like it and to leave them alone unless you have to move them to clean or feed them. if you are happy to handle him often and he's not freaking out (trying to eat you, strangle you or head for the hills) then i'd say your fine, chances are he will eventually learn that when the door opens and he cant smell food, that it means he is coming out, and he may make his own way out, but that is as far as the 'training' will go, they are known for their trainability

 

[Wally]

I hold a snake hook up to the bottom of the door and mine usually come down it to my hands after a bit.

 

[xxMelissaxx]

1 weaner rat a fortnight and he is 1.5 - 2m long ! ! i'm surprised he's not ripping your arm off every time you open the tank, i have 8mth old darwins, around 1m long, they comfortably handle weaner rats (and this batch is large) every week, and they are cruising on day 7, cos they are hungry, Up the food size .. a little at a time, don't jump too big too quick,

as for handling, its very subjective, some say often is fine, others have the opinion that they don't like it and to leave them alone unless you have to move them to clean or feed them. if you are happy to handle him often and he's not freaking out (trying to eat you, strangle you or head for the hills) then i'd say your fine, chances are he will eventually learn that when the door opens and he cant smell food, that it means he is coming out, and he may make his own way out, but that is as far as the 'training' will go, they are known for their trainability

Agree with the above. I'd definitely be working him up to larger food items, and perhaps increase the frequency of feeds also, especially when the weather heats up.

Not sure about "training" your snake. I think as it becomes comfortable with its surroundings, once you open the door it may come out of the enclosure voluntarily out of curiosity. I wouldn't classify this as having them trained though. I have never tried to train a python myself, but doubt anyone that did would have much success

 

[daniel1234]

Like others said, it is a subjective thing, I handle my snakes quite a bit.
I had coastals that would come out when you opened the door. The male would rest his head on your open hand and then move up your arm. All my other snakes I think tollerate handling perhaps more than anything, not really sure.
I have found generally feeding is good to calm a snake down but it is said that jungles are snappy--however never owned one so dont know. My Darwins (also known to be flighty) have settled nicely and they bit every one when we first got them.
When breeding my bredli I did not handle them much and they are still their placid selves.
Nice snake btw
Welcome to APS

 

[D3pro]

All my pythons eat weekly, some more... so a more fulfilling diet will do him wonders

as far as training pythons go... it's like teaching a cat how to cook... not going to happen.
I suggest using a snake hook if he gets touchy. And eventually you will figure out his muse.

I have a few jungles and they all hate coming out... lucky for me there all placid, but I don't handle them much and feed them in their enclosure, so when the doors open it's go time.
so I placed branches that are not fixed to the enclosure, and always use snake hooks and only use hands when necessary. The loose branches help when they decide to wrap around something,,, I can just grab them with the branch.

at the end of the day, every one will tell you something different, it's up to you to decide what works best.
good luck