So it seems I'm now taking care of a snake

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by GyGbeetle

Tap training involves tapping the side of the tank to give the snake a cue that a hand is entering their enclosure. If the enclosure is closed, which is usually what's been recommended to me, simply tapping with your hand or a hook won't involve any biting from the animal. The idea is to give them a consistent trigger to let them know a hand, not food, will be entering the tank.

What you're describing is hook training, which involves taking the hook into the enclosure in order to handle the snake. If OP feels a bite is imminent, then yes, don't use your hand when trying to touch/handle the snake. But the 2 should not be confused.

For adult and baby boas, providing them their enclosure after a bite only encourages the behaviour. i.e. if they bite and are always put back into their enclosure, they will learn when they DON'T want to be handled, they can bite and be rewarded with solitude. There are ample cases where vets, herps, and breeders alike discourage this reward system. yes, it's scarier with older and large snakes (I have retics and burms, and it's very scary), but it also teaches a sense of acceptance between the snake and the handler, so that the snake understands the handler is in charge.

At one point you probably were right on those definitions. However, as with everything, things change and hook/tap training became interchangeable using the definition of hook training you provided.

I think your definition of tap training isn't a good idea because it leaves things out of your control. You can accidentally tap the enclosure during feeding time a couple times and all of a sudden the next handling session and the snake takes a bite. The best method in my eyes and experience is simply hook training.

Further to your handling choice. It's rather archaic. That method of force isn't getting a snake to respect you it's applying enough stress that it eventually just becomes placated and probably will lead to an early death. You mention you handled a boa for 2 weeks every single day to "acclimate" it. That's forcing stress on an animal until it's so stressed that it doesn't fight anymore.

Acclamation would be leaving a defensive (snakes are never aggressive) animal alone and keeping a routine. Eventually over time they mellow out and grow to understand the routine isn't harmful to them. I have and has a few snakes like this. It isn't 2 weeks though it's a process of months and years.