Are there any negatives to using a snake hook?

[Medusa<3]

I have always used a snake hook to get my snake out. I find it seems to stress him out less. Any reason it would be better to grab him with my hand?

[The Serpent Merchant]

There really isn't any reason to use a snake hook with BP's. They aren't aggressive and even if they do bite generally the bite is relatively minor.

Are there any negatives to using a hook. I can't really think of any, but as I said above it just isn't necessary.

[Trackstrong83]

There really isn't any reason to use a snake hook with BP's. They aren't aggressive and even if they do bite generally the bite is relatively minor.

Are there any negatives to using a hook. I can't really think of any, but as I said above it just isn't necessary.

Same.
I've heard of people using them with larger snakes, like retics. But as stated above using them for a bp just isn't necessary.

[Austin C.]

Hooks for a BP is not necessary unless you have an unusually defensive BP that does bite.

[Medusa<3]

Mine is a baby and I just didnt know if it would make it feel less threatened if i used a hook.

[The Serpent Merchant]

If anything I think a hook might be slightly more stressful as they require more maneuvering than simply going into the cage and picking the snake up.

[DeathByDabs]

I use my hook on feeding day so he doesn't associate my hand with food.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

[The Serpent Merchant]

I use my hook on feeding day so he doesn't associate my hand with food.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

Also not necessary as a BP can easily tell the difference between a rat and your hand.

[craigj1187]

yeah never used a hook, but im new. dont see any reason too, I can pick him up on feeding day or any other day. But he never wants to bite me. BUT i wash my hands and use hand sanitizer before and after i handle him or anything in his cage.

[MarkS]

The only negative that I see is that people will laugh at you for using it on a ball python.

Having said that though, I actually do use one on feeding day. I've got a few large girls that will grab anything warm when the smell of rats is in the air and will come shooting out of their tubs trying to latch on to anything as soon as there is an opening of a couple of inches when I pull their tub out of the rack. I don't actually use the hook on the snakes though, I use it to pull the tub out with one hand while dangling the thawed out rat in the other hand at the end of 12" hemostats. If I didn't use a hook, I'd end up bleeding every feeding day.

So, the answer to your question is 'Use one, IF you need one.' just don't tell anyone as they're liable to laugh at you for using one on a ball python.