My son has a ball python.... is it OK for his friends to handle it or would that stress the snake to much?

Question

My sons friends come around and see him handling the snake and always want to hold it.... but my son doesn't want to stress the snake as he is very protective over it! should the ball python have a certain amount of time just being handled by him excusively looking forward to yr answers but please only snake handlers reply.......

Answer 1

Great question, have a star.

I think Sweet Demon said it best. Thumbs up!

Answer 2

always wash hands before and after handling a snake =). the boys have to know this because if they touch the snake and then stick there hands in there mouth they could get 'salmenela'. It is good he is protective of his snake. it is ok for a friend to handle the snake but indeed, an excessive amount of different boys' hands will stress the snake out. If the snake is not yet used to being handled completely and is still a little jumpy then only your son should handle him. If the snake is friendly and the boys plan on being carfull and not screaming or being loud, or jerking the snake around, but letting the snake slide at will to whichever hand he wants, then it will be just fine to let the boys hold the snake. but do not think of it as your son is not "sharing". The snake is not a toy but a living thing and your son's intention of being protective are good.

Answer 3

as long as the snake isn't out for long periods of time. about 30 minutes is good. but all the kids should wash their hands before and after handling. there should also not be alot of movement or noise when they are handling it. other tha that, it should be fine.

Answer 4

I wouldnt risk it. Royals are known world wide for their habbits with eating. If you do stress it out and it stops eating you could end up with a non eater. Every snake is different and everyone owner is too

Answer 5

we have ball pythons and my husband and i handle them (me mostly) quite a bit...we do allow other people to handle them (including our 4 year old nephew if he is sitting down) but not very often at all...just family members or extended family...we have to really trust the person.  an no one handles the snakes if a lot of people are around because accidents can happen and no one else is going to take care of your babies the way that you will.

Answer 6

Well it depends. If your son had the snake for a while(up to a year) then it would be OK for your son to have friends hold it but just not daily. Maybe 4 times a week MAX because it would be very stressfil for the snake if they hold it everyday. Holding any type of snake could stress them out because snakes aren't suppose to be an animal you hold everyday day for hours on end...that's why we have dogs and cats for. If his friends comes around every other day then tell him not to hold the snake everyday and only hold it every other day with his friends and just watch them to make sure. Also they shouldn't hold it during the week that it is shedding becase the python won't be able to see and that would rasie the risk of being bitten higher. Also don't hold it when it is almost feeding time so give it a day before feeding date.

There is no really an amount of time for a ball python. But just pay attention. I wouldn't recommend having that many people hold it all at once. Maybe he could let it out for his friends....like putting it on the bed or outside(but PLEASE watch him and his snake)

And also remember to wash your hands before and after handling them! It's better to be safe then sorry!

Hope this could help!

Answer 7

You should only handle reptiles when needed.It will add extra stress...

Answer 8

Yea it should be fine.

We had one and we have 7 kids.

And we used to hold it all the time.

But we had to give it away. :[