| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| eyeball |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:36:55
Hi all,
Do any of yo use snake hooks? I was chatting with a reptile keeper at a wildlife park the other day and he recommended always using a snake hook as an aid to handling.
As with all things snake there seems to be many different ways of doing things but I was wondering if it was less stressful for the snake using a hook?
|
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| IncurableFlirt |
Posted - 08/01/2013 : 06:29:40
I don't use a hook either. I have raised a good majority of my snakes from small babies, including my big BCI. Sometimes he can be scary if he is in feeding mode, but I have learned how to handle him easily and without issue. I've been tagged a few times by different snakes (my big Snow Corn girl tried to eat my wrist just the other day when I reached in to grab her water dish....) and I can honestly tell you that it isn't nearly as bad as one might think. My biggest Royal, Anubis, once tagged me on the forearm and all I got out of the ordeal was a line of tiny pin*****s where his teeth punctured. I've had rat bites, dog bites and cat bites far far far worse than that, lol!
I do agree with the stroking method, though. I always place my hand upon the lower back of my snakes and give them a couple of gentle rubs to let them know that I am picking them up and that they are not being fed. Works like a charm, even on my big BCI. :) I definitely don't have anything against others using a hook, but it just isn't for me. ;) |
| Robert |
Posted - 07/01/2013 : 12:05:16
I have never needed a hook with royals even the most feisty one has never bitten me and has stopped even trying to threaten me - never yet been bitten so for me snake hooks are only for wild caught and not captive bred, having said that I have had all my snakes except one from hatchlings, so I know all their different tempraments. |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 07/01/2013 : 10:20:49
I would never recomend you touch a Snake's head at all unless you knew each other well and you knew the Snake trusted you.
Think about it. Snakes have relitivly bad eyesight, they have a lot of nerves in their head and nose and in some species they have pits, like in Royals. I can imagine even a tap would be unpleasant for the Snake, if not painful.
Also, you have to remember that Snakes are often as much prey as they are preditor. Some species have all kinds of enimies, always having to hide away. So their head is naturaly going to be a no-go area for them.
I would say the stroking method is much better. It's what I've always used, giving a gental stroke before handling. That way they learn what I'm going to do and it's never a suprize for them. If they don't get stroked chances are it's dinner time!
I have to say, though, that I'm not against the hook. It's just not needed for some species as much as it is for others. And in cases where a Snake was your first, and it was a more docile species like a Royal, then I'd always recomend thick gloves instead. It protects you from a potential nip, but also gets you used to getting your hands in there. |
| jbarlow91 |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 17:32:03
I aint got a hook when my female was aggressive when I first got her I would either wait till she was facing away from me then grab her or I would cover her head with her hide then pick her up out the rub |
| rockroyal |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 16:33:13
i only use a hook with new snakes once i know how they behave i stop using the hook if there good snakeys |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 15:24:18
quote:
Originally posted by richard v
I really don't think snake hooks are necessary for royals the worst that is going to happen your get a cat like scratch bite, however with bigger snakes especially like the African rock python chris has, and the larger snakes burms and large boa's they can come in handy, but it needs to be started really when you get the snake to get it use to the hook.
I think snake hooks are handy with Royals if you're still getting used to aggression from Royals - I remember once jumping so bad I flung my royal out of his viv across the room :/ a snake hook would have been handy there!
But there is also the trap of getting used to the hook and thinking you can't get your hands in there :( |
| richard v |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 15:14:42
I really don't think snake hooks are necessary for royals the worst that is going to happen your get a cat like scratch bite, however with bigger snakes especially like the African rock python chris has, and the larger snakes burms and large boa's they can come in handy, but it needs to be started really when you get the snake to get it use to the hook. |
| JanieW |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 14:04:03
Thanks Chris, i'll do that :) |
| chrisc |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 14:02:15
i stroke them downwards from the back of the head for tap training |
| JanieW |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 14:01:42
I think i'd go with a stroke too, or just push his head away if looking at at you :)
I don't think a tap on the nose would work, more likely anger it, specially with a python with their heat pits i'd think that could cause harm. |
| eyeball |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:56:40
The stroking part sounds more sensible to me. I'd respond better to someone stroking me gently than bopping me on the nose! |
| JanieW |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:53:17
Yeah, or or a gentle tap on the head..or even stroke its side..habit forming really I think |
| jbarlow91 |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:52:50
If you tap a royal on the nose it will probably stress it out more than anything cause they are usually head shy to start of with |
| eyeball |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:47:35
Yep, that's what the guy said. He gently tapped the snake (he said on the nose, is that right?) just so they know its not food on the way... |
| JanieW |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:41:50
I bought a small hook, just for tap training so the snakes knows its a handling session and not dinnertime :) |
