Snake Hook For A BP?

[beaglegod]

I rescently read a very detailed caresheet called, "The Ball Python Trouble Shooting Guide". It went into everything including handling, and here is where I got a little confused. The author suggests using a snake hook to retrieve the snake out of its enclosure and than handling to prevent getting bit. What are your thoughts on this advice?

[m1k3_88]

I highly doubt u will need a snake hook for a bp, unless its the ball python from hell, and u rub gerbils all over your hands b4 taking it out of the enclosure.

[Tigergenesis]

More than likely won't need.

[elevation24]

I've never needed one and never felt like I needed one.

[blazinreps]

i just got 2 ball pythons a pair about a foot and a hlaf long and i use gloves to take them out of the tank. im just doin this to be safe do u think i need them or no?? i heard a python bites hurt like hell.

[Invictus]

I think you should just know your herps. I've never used gloves or a hook with our BPs, because they are just not biters. I suppose if I REALLY stressed them out before I reached my hand in they might bite.... but I don't worry about them at all.

[daver676]

I wouldn't worry about a bp biting you. That's almost as possible as seeing one of Janet Jackson's boobs.....er.......again!

[marisa]

I wouldn't worry about it biting you.

But a snake hook is something most herpers have learned they cannot live without. I cannot tell you how often I use mine and how easier it makes things now. But for your one snake, you will be fine without one.

Marisa

[beaglegod]

I wasnt thinking about getting a hook, I just thought it odd that it was recommended in such a detailed caresheet. But Im not gonna lie, it does comfort me to hear you all speak as you do about BPs since I get my first one this Thursday if all gos well. Ill be alot less nervous now when I first open that package and reach in to take him out.:jawdrop:

[jfmoore]

Don’t be reluctant to wear gloves if you think it might make you less jumpy when you first handle your ball python. If you’ve never had a snake with heat pits before, you may be surprised at a ball python’s reaction when you suddenly “get in its face.” Evolution didn’t exactly prepare it to be a human’s pet. So, from its perspective warm, live objects are either predator or prey. Most of the time, though, they jerk backwards, away from you.

I have one evil old ball python that I have to handle with care. Once, while being manipulating on a hook, she bit my bare leg; another time, she lunged over the gloves I was wearing and bit my arm. I’m always on my toes while removing her from her cage!

[sapphire_moon]

Are you getting your bp from that alex hue person? If so please let me know how everything goes. I'm realling interested in his boa's.

[mykee]

Ok, out on a limb here. I have a hook, and because I keep my adults in a large underbed rubbermaid/rack system, it's just easier to pull them off their heat WAY in the back with a hook. I love it, and would recommend it for that purpose.

[Bristen]

I personally feel that all snake keepers should have appropriately-sized hooks for all the snakes they keep. For hatchling, or juvenile snakes, a hook makes them feel much more secure when you're picking them up. A big hand coming down from the sky to grab them out of their hide box is quite intimidating to say the least. Even though the snake might not bite, I'm convinced you can get a snake accustomed to handling much faster when using a hook.

I've also found that hooks are sometimes indispensable (i.e. not optional) when feeding doesn't quite go the way you'd want it to go. A snake during feeding can strike at anything that moves, as we all know. Sometimes having the hook close by allowed me to push the snake back into it's enclosure without having to get my fingers close.

On a normal day, I don't use the hooks for my adult ball pythons. However, for hatchlings or for feeding time, I think it's a must. Just my opinion.

Later,
Bristen.

[Darren179]

I dont use a hook, probably because I handle them all the time easy when you have just a few. but I am looking to expand my collection and along with that will come a hook :D

[scalawag]

I've never used a hook on my balls but I can do see that there can be circumstances when one might be advisable. You can't use shaky or jerky movements. Slow and steady, be careful if you think its sleeping. Don't show fear. Prey shows fear usually gets bit. And yes you probably will get bit one day. It's all part of the game. All the balls I've fondled have and I've yet to get an offensive bite. :) I think I'd like to change the previous sentance to "all the python regius I've fondled..." Have fun.

[beaglegod]

Its kinda funny to see how this thread has transformed itself from, "no need for a hook unless you bath in gerbil fur" to "its a good idea to use a hook". Well all I got is my two hands right now and a little buddy comin to my doorstep tommorow so my hands will have to do. :grab:

[mykee]

Hooks aren't necessary, nor are they mandatory, it's all about personal preference.

[sapphire_moon]

they are kinda mandatory if you have a 5ft snake lunging at you! lol. But I really do highly doubt that you will need one for your bp.

[mykee]

Sapphire, how is a hook going to stop a lunging snake?

[marisa]

Yeah I didn't quite get that myself.

I use the hook to pick the snakes up initially, then I will hold them with my hands. I just find this makes things easier and cuts down on them jerking away and what not. It has tons of uses and I'd say I use mine half a dozen times a week and I don't even have a ton of snakes.

Marisa

[Jeff_Favelle]

Sapphire, how is a hook going to stop a lunging snake?

It won't. But like most humans, my arms are not as long as a snake hook/stick, and they are no-where near as long as a snake hook/stick PLUS my arm, so it would stand to reason that it makes 99% of strikes out of range. At least in my experience, with my snakes.

Plus if you are good, you can hold the snake's bottom half with one hand, and have the hooked oriented around the snake's neck region, pointing away from you, eliminating the possibility of it even striking towards you.

[sapphire_moon]

ya, thats what I meant. If you have a 5ft snake lunging at you (as in you know it's an agressive/nippy snake) then having a snake hook might put you out of reach. I was only saying that snake hooks are kinda mandatory when handling nippy large(er) snakes. Unless you like getting tagged that is.

[jathoma]

Originally posted by scalawag
I've never used a hook on my balls but I can do see that there can be circumstances when one might be advisable.

I've never used one on mine either....and I can't think of any circumstance where I would want to..... :eek:

Which leads me to ask the question that begs answering...

PRINCE ALBERT? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND???

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[PaulBar]

I would think a hook would be fine but not gloves.

Instinctively I would think snakes would feel more intimidated being picked up by a hand with a glove. Its more comforting for them to use your bare hand. It shows the snake you are confident that it won't bite you. It builds trust between you and the snake.

If you fear it it creates distrust.

Paul

[ReptiZone]

There realy no trust to establish.
Just do what needs to be done and get out of the cage.
Wether it be a ball python or a Corn Snake.
I may have mised it but no one said anything about having a hook for the inevitable time that comes around when the animal is in shed and the cage needs cleaning.
All snakes are diffrent and react diffrently to physical contack of any kind a hook is a in-animate object they will bite it one time or another but after that they realise here is no harm to be done.

I realy like the fact that ppl her are recomanding a hook to a rather new Hobbiest, it show that you are a experianced herper and know that with any snake anything can happen and it is alwase best to be prepared. I have seen some nasty Captive bread Ball Pythons in my day's so it is better to ready for the worst and get the best the not be ready at all and get biten...LOL

[rip_this_joint]

I never use hooks...I like my snakes to know it's me initially touching them...not something foreign. The only time I ever was bitten was when I put my hand back into it's enclosure, my hand still smelling of mouse. Note: if you have to move something out of the way when feeding...make sure to wash your hands before putting it back.

[mykee]

Good advice.

[marisa]

"me initially touching them...not something foreign"

You ARE something foriegn. LOL. But I agree with both sides. I OFTEN use a hook and wouldn't be without one, but at the same time I also pick my balls up bare handed no problem. :)

Marisa

[BoidKeeper]

I have 6 hooks, two large 3 medium and one small. I use them all the time for neonates and one psycho Rosy Boa. I never take out a baby snake with out a hook whether it be a corn or a ball. I peronally think it helps reduce stress by using a hook to take out a neonate.
Cheers,
Trevor