Dumb question :)

[rushrulz]

Something's been nagging at me...

A lot of people suggest feeding twice a week, at least for a baby snake. But then they say not to handle it for 48 hours afterwards. By my calculations (and I'm bad at math, I admit), that leaves one day a week to handle the snake...

Is that right, or am I missing something?

 

[Roy Munson]

Yeah, your calculations are accurate. But it doesn't take long before they are on a schedule where the feedings are less frequent. When you consider that they are most succeptible to stress as hatchlings, reduced handling can't be seen as a negative from the standpoint of the snake's well-being.

 

[zwyatt]

Well, my math tells me that said feeding schedule leaves two days a week to handle.

Unless you're doing:
Day 1 Feed
Day 2 Digest
Day 3 Digest
Day 4 Handle
Day 5 Feed
Day 6 Digest
Day 7 Digest

This would mean you're waiting 72 hours to handle. The 48 hour rule would allow you to handle on day 3, which would be 48hrs after the last feeding.

By doing this:
Day 1 (0hrs) Feed
Day 2 (24hrs) Digest
Day 3 (48hrs) Handle
Day 4 (72hrs) Handle
Day 5 (0hrs) Feed
Day 6 (24hrs) Digest
Day 7 (48hrs) Handle
Day 8 (72hrs) Handle
Day 9 (0hrs) Feed
Day 10 (24hrs) Digest
Day 11 (48hrs) Handle
Day 12 (72hrs) Handle
Day 13 (0hrs) Feed
Day 14 (24hrs) Digest

You're still getting in 2 feedings a week and twice as much handling. Unless I'm completely missing something. I know I've put way too much thought into this, but I'm bored at work...

Math was always my worst subject :shrugs:

 

[CaptBogart]

Why don't you handle them before you feed them, giving you two extra days of handling :grin01:

 

[MegF.]

That's what I do alot.....Sometimes it's the only time I have to handle them

 

[Drizzt80]

Kind of off topic, but I don't use the twice a week method for my hatchlings any more. Used to, and was proud of it. Last season I decided to try the same schedule my adults are on with a single meal every 7 days (happens to be Friday). The only difference being I bump them up to their next size meal when they are ready instead of waiting (like I did on the twice a week method). I have some '05's that are at 200 grams already just last week.

D80

 

[rushrulz]

Well yeah, moving him from the viv to the feed box is a form of handling, isn't it? I could extend it...but I'd have the pinkie with me, so that probably wouldn't go so well. I guess he'll just be seriously bugged for a day to make up for it.

 

[sarah s]

handle him on the day of the feed before you get the pinkie ready and then later on feed its what I do with mine. handle in morning feed in evening type thing.

 

[BenWillyums]

you guys left out one variable, while handling him you risk the chance of being deficated on.