afraid of my own snakes ...

[ConcinusMan]

In my humble opinion, both can benefit from handling

Perhaps, but I'm sure they can thrive without it steve.

[Tyrel26]

Im sure they could do fine either way, but mine love to be held, she will actually climb out of the enclosure and then wrap around my hand, she'll stay wrapped around my hand as long as I'll allow; and NO she isn't cold lol shes nosey, always looking around as we walk (as i walk and she rides lol)

[guidofatherof5]

Perhaps, but I'm sure they can thrive without it steve.

No doubt they can but it's that interaction that make them so appealing to so many.
I have a hard time calling mine pets. They're more like guests. Friends that came to stay for awhile.
I find them to be quite magnetic.

[gregmonsta]

A snake that is accustomed to handling is more likely to thrive in my opinion. It's the best way to combat stress in the snake in the captive environment.

[Stefan-A]

Getting a snake accustomed to being handled makes things much easier in a lot of situations and it does benefit the snake, if you can pick it up to inspect its health or treat it if it's necessary, without having to worry about biting, musking or the snake accidentally hurting itself.

But that's where the benefits for the snake end, in my opinion. I've never seen anything other than varying levels of annoyance, even when owners seem to interpret their body language as displaying enjoyment. A lot of snake owners insist on petting their snakes, as if they were dogs or cats. Sometimes people talk about training their snakes not to be head shy. What's the point? So that they can annoy their snake more effortlessly? They're supposed to be head shy, it's a defence mechanism, like jerking your hand away from a hot stove. I've never seen a snake enjoy having it's back stroked, either. What I have seen, is varying levels of tolerance to it.

If you have to train them to tolerate what you do, you're doing things wrong. In some rare instances, it may benefit them to build up their tolerance to handling, but they're not toys or puppies or little humans.

Sorry about the rant (not really).

[Tyrel26]

Quote "they're not toys or puppies or little humans."

I agree, but one thing that you didn't list is that they are also not collectibles. They are living things and not just a living paint set that you can mix to get cool colors (and no I am not downing breeding in any way, i can tell from the posts that some of the breeders care very deeply for their snakes). I like to take my snakes out of their enclosure from time to time but its not an everyday thing. As you said its to help them build up tolerance to being handled so they don't get stressed every time they see you approach. Maybe the do not enjoy being handled but they are definitely interested.

[jere000]

No matter how much you think your snake enjoys being held it really doesn't.Also the snake comes up to you from his enclosure because he wants out and knows you can take him.I don't train my boas to not be head shy if they are not head shy when they are adults i don't care.

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, kazariel

[ConcinusMan]

I've never seen anything other than varying levels of annoyance, even when owners seem to interpret their body language as displaying enjoyment. A lot of snake owners insist on petting their snakes, as if they were dogs or cats.

This is certainly the case with most snakes, I'm sure, but I don't know if I totally agree. One of the reasons I miss that old female I had is that I could offer my hand and she would readily seek out handling by climbing aboard. She certainly seemed to enjoy gentle touching and "petting" when it suited her mood.

As far as them coming out to greet you goes, I'm sure that's just a conditioned response created by them associating you with food, but sometimes it's more than that.

[infernalis]

I am going to sit on the middle of the fence with this one, I have a few snakes that tolerate the handling well, so if I get in the mood to "play with a snake" I get out the ones that seem the best able to deal with it.

Most of my snakes are "observation animals" and only get handled at feeding time or cage clean outs.

A couple of them just don't like human interactions at all, so they get nearly no handling.