Handling & Temperament

Handling & Temperament

Most collectors believe that the less you handle your Basins, the better. These are not the type of snakes that can be passed around at a social gathering which may be appropriate for a Common boa or Ball python. Having said that, we often handle our animals when transferring them from their cages to the rain chamber for exercise and elimination. Frequently we will use our removable perch system in moving an animal and gently coaxing the Basin off the perch into the target cage or snake bag. It is essential that you do not force an animal off of a perch, especially a neonate. Rough handling can result in kinked or deformed tails as the animal matures.

In general the Basin is a gentle creature with an inquisitive and calm personality, at least during the daylight hours. During the night when the lights go out, Basins become savage feeders and will strike at most anything that is warm or moves. The collector should take advantage of this natural inclination and handle the animals, when necessary, during the day and feed at night.