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eyeball
Yearling
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
 Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:36:55
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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?
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0.0.1 Pastel Royal Python - Noodle |
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:41:50
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| I bought a small hook, just for tap training so the snakes knows its a handling session and not dinnertime :) |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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eyeball
Yearling
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:47:35
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| 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... |
0.0.1 Pastel Royal Python - Noodle |
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jbarlow91
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
897 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:52:50
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| 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 |
0.1.0 snow corn Ruby 1.0.0 ghost corn-Oreo
1.0.0 bearded dragon- kato
0.1.0 bearded dragon- keita
1.0.0 cali king-Taz
0.1.0 royal-Clio
1.0.0 yellowbelly royal- Moose
0.1.0 hognose jinxx |
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:53:17
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| Yeah, or or a gentle tap on the head..or even stroke its side..habit forming really I think |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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eyeball
Yearling
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 13:56:40
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| The stroking part sounds more sensible to me. I'd respond better to someone stroking me gently than bopping me on the nose! |
0.0.1 Pastel Royal Python - Noodle |
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 14:01:42
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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. |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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chrisc
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
3326 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 14:02:15
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| i stroke them downwards from the back of the head for tap training |
1.0.0 burmese python,giblet. 1.0.0 BCI, william. 0.1.0 blue tongue skink, 0.1.0 green iguana, jasmin, 1.0.0 cape house snake, 0.1.0 checkered garter snake
my youtube. http://www.youtube.com/user/pegrocks
incubate 2 campaign
https://www.facebook.com/incubate2 |
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JanieW
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2279 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 14:04:03
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| Thanks Chris, i'll do that :) |
Peoples Of Middle Earth:
Bert (Staffy) , named after Tolkien's stone Troll
Popeye, African Grey
Gimli (Son Of Gloin), Baby Beardie
Slinky, Baby Royal Python
Fëanor..Baby Mexican Common Boa
Casper 2011 Male Ghost Corn Snake **RIP**
Hoard of Orcs (Dubia Roach Colony)
Pearl & Ivory--African Giant Albino Land Snails
Ra, Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Henry, Western Hognose *Missing*
Pippin, Coastal X Diamond Carpet Python
Elanor, Pastel Royal
Timmy, Western Hognose
Flake, Calico male royal, Eowyn, Arabesque Boa |
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richard v
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
563 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 15:14:42
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| 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. |
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 15:24:18
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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 :( |
\v/ Click me for Kelfezond Reptiles Facebook Page! \v/
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rockroyal
Yearling
United Kingdom
470 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 16:33:13
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| i only use a hook with new snakes once i know how they behave i stop using the hook if there good snakeys |
3.1.0 royal python
2.0.0 corn snake
0.1.0 western hognose
0.1.0 bci
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jbarlow91
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
897 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 17:32:03
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| 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 |
0.1.0 snow corn Ruby 1.0.0 ghost corn-Oreo
1.0.0 bearded dragon- kato
0.1.0 bearded dragon- keita
1.0.0 cali king-Taz
0.1.0 royal-Clio
1.0.0 yellowbelly royal- Moose
0.1.0 hognose jinxx |
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2013 : 10:20:49
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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. |
Just me and my zoo. |
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Robert
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
957 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2013 : 12:05:16
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| 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. |
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Edited by - Robert on 07/01/2013 19:26:56 |
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
319 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2013 : 06:29:40
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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. ;) |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
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Topic |
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Snake Hooks
