Snake hooks

Well I am new snakes. I have only really had experience with holding a couple ball pythons and they tend to be so gentle and relaxed. I am not sure how many snakes my future holds as we have only had Gella (our female pastel) for a few weeks. I am guessing as many as my wife will let me have. May not be much of a fight she loves her.

To my question. Should I bother buying a snake hook? We haven't had a bad day with her but I am sure one may come. I am not afraid of getting bit. I will be the only one removing her from the cage. I am just wondering what the consensus is for using them. I was thinking it may be good to have on hand in case we need it or to lift the hides.

What does everyone think?
Do you use snake hooks and if so for what purposes?

i have one but never use it. it is more of an opinion because if you feel like you want to be careful and use a hook in certain situations, then go for it. otherwise i don't think you would really need one.

For a pet BP, nope no need IMO.

As was stated above, for a BP there is no need. But if you start getting into things like burms and retics then you should start looking into one (if they're mean)

I don't use any. Balls are pretty docile by nature.

I actually never suspected I'll need one for my pets.. but My Black House female.. she is just pure evil... :rofl::rofl::rofl: so.. hook Is Handy lol
Besides that I plan few trips to Jersey Pines.. and dont matter is gonna be timber rattler or northern pine snake.. I don't go there without hook.:cool:
Last thing... Think about Image.. SNAKE KEEPER without Snake Hook :O ...... ;)

For me I have one. Haven't used it in a while but I got if because of a very aggressive baby pastel we got. She was a very aggressive eater and absolutely hated being touched especially if I got in her tank during a shed. That hook saved me more than once. But now ,with time, I know her behavior plus she has calmed down with age. If you snake is mellow you probably never use it. But could not hurt to have on hand especially if you plan on getting more because you never know.

I only own balls so no, theres no need for one. If i got a big snake i may consider getting one...

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Originally Posted by luvmyballs

But could not hurt to have on hand especially if you plan on getting more because you never know.

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I usually agree with you on most things here, but I have to disagree. Especially with a baby I see no need what so ever for a hook. Even if it's the meanest BP in the world there are ways to handle it with out a hook. Once your comfort level increases handling, even snappy snakes 9 times out of ten when you have them in your hands for a second they relax.

If you only plan to keep BPs then I would agree with most of these guys that it's a waste. On the other hand, if you ever happen to get a 5 foot juvi female carpet that likes to lunge at your face and doesn't show any signs of calming down, then one might come in handy. ;) :P

I didn't think I would need one but due to my inexperience I just wanted to ask what others thought. I just didn't want to not have one and find that it is "one of those things" you MUST have. I'd rather ask while I was thinking about it.

Thanks. As always great to hear all the opinions. I won't waste the $ on one unless i get into something that may be more agile or lively.

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Originally Posted by whispersinmyhead

. I just didn't want to not have one and find that it is "one of those things" you MUST have. I won't waste the $ .

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Take the money that you were going to use to buy the hook and get yourself a can of "provent a mite". You do NOT want to be caught with out that stuff!

I only keep BPs and instead of a snake hook I keep a pair of gloves for snappy hatchlings. Gives them something soft to hit when they strike. But, as was said earlier, even the snappiest young BP will usually chill out once you get it up out of the tub.

Yeah you'd be fine without one for BPs.

I plan on getting a mainland retic, and will definitely be hook training her for when she's larger and stronger. I believe with some species hook training should be a must.

I am glad I was correct in assuming I wouldn't need one. I will however look for prevent a mite. Thanks.

They aren't necessary, but JKR gear sure has some gorgeous hooks!

Very much an unnecessary expense for ball pythons, but I kind of want one to take with me on hikes for if I find anything awesome to check out!

http://www.jkrgear.com/gear.php?cat=...0Gear&id=00018

I use one. Mostly to open tubs with one hand, because I've got the rat tongs in the other and snappy grouchy big girls waiting for their dinners ready to launch out snapping at anything warm and moving. No, ball bites don't hurt and aren't gonna maim me for life, but I don't want them injuring their teeth on my tough ol' skin.

While a snake hook isn't really necessary(if anything a pair of gloves would be more than sufficent) tongs for feeding will definitely save you from a few bites.

Most BP bites happen during feeding attempts because the snake thinks your hand is a rat.

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Originally Posted by Shadera

I use one. Mostly to open tubs with one hand, because I've got the rat tongs in the other and snappy grouchy big girls waiting for their dinners ready to launch out snapping at anything warm and moving. No, ball bites don't hurt and aren't gonna maim me for life, but I don't want them injuring their teeth on my tough ol' skin.

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X2 :D:D

Yes, I actually do have a snake hook for some of my balls. Not for the snake itself but just for opening the tub... I've got a few big girls that are WAY too enthusiastic about their food and will jump out and nail the nearest warm thing (me) every time if I open the tub with my hand. And no, ball python bites don't hurt that much, but I don't want my blood messing up my nice clean floor. :rofl:

I have one but Ive had it longer than I've had my Bp. It's for field herping. Much better to find out that gopher snake was actually a rattle snake when it's 4 feet away instead of turning on your wrist...


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Since I have mostly boas, my BP and Carpet Python are hook trained by default. I also use them to open the enclosures of both of my Acrantophises for feeding, since they have enthusiastic feeding responses and fairly long strike ranges. While most BP's do not require hooks due to their docile nature, my opinion is, it is their docile nature that make them great snakes to practice hooking on. There is definitely a technique to it that has to be learned.

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The college I studied at insisted we used hooks for everything, corn snakes, rat snakes, gopher snakes and the BP they had... That was always in group sessions, and I'm guessing it was just for student safety. But when it came down to it just being a couple of us and a curator, they'd let us just get Enzo the BP out without a hook and said he really didn't need one.

Anyone who says a bp bite doesn't hurt hasn't been bitten by a full grown female. It hurts. Happened once and it was my own fault at feeding time, and I still don't feel the need for a hook.

I use a paper towel roll per a suggestion on these forums to kind of move my bumble bee's head away when I'm looking to take him out to chill and he's hungry/there's rat blood on the paper still. It's clear when he's on the hunt, and I'm not trying to move my hand into the cage when his head is having lightning fast responses to my movements. He also starts wobbling when he's ready to eat strike, so it's clear that he's going to go for me if I don't calm him down. That's because I'm a huge pansy... however I did get to vote on the recent thread that I have never been bit by my snakes :D As far as calming down aggression, etc.. I do not feel it is needed. I have taken my snakes out of their humid hides mid shed (nice job pooping in there...) and the worst they'll do is huff and puff or jerk their body like a hiccup but not actually strike.

I got one for my devil of a pewter. You could pick him up and he will just think "great I am closer to his face to bite..." he's a jerk. But I love him.

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Originally Posted by Smoked Oyster

Anyone who says a bp bite doesn't hurt hasn't been bitten by a full grown female. It hurts. Happened once and it was my own fault at feeding time, and I still don't feel the need for a hook.

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Sure have, which is why I now use the hook to open the tubs. ;)

(And still insist it didn't hurt)

The other thing you have to consider is peoples pain tolerances. Some people might think something excruciatingly painful where another person may not even bothered by it. Everyones different. I hardly noticed when my girl, who was like 1000 grams at the time, tagged me. I cant imagine a bite from a 2000gram girl would be that much different...

Wether the bite hurts or not is irrelevant. Even if you have a full grown female that happens to be in a bad mode and striking at you, you can avoid being bitten with proper handling technique. Again making the use of a hook for ball pythons pointless.
The OP wanted to know if it was one of those "must haves" and it's simply not. Some people may find a use for them. But they are far from a necessity for owning bps.

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Originally Posted by Rob

Wether the bite hurts or not is irrelevant. Even if you have a full grown female that happens to be in a bad mode and striking at you, you can avoid being bitten with proper handling technique. Again making the use of a hook for ball pythons pointless.
The OP wanted to know if it was one of those "must haves" and it's simply not. Some people may find a use for them. But they are far from a necessity for owning bps.

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True, the only reason i brought up pain is bc why else would you use a hook for a ball lol?

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

why else would you use a hook for a ball lol?

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Lol...exactly!

*ok so i didnt read what everyone said but*

I have only BPs and I for the most part a hook is never needed. HOWEVER i have a mojave male that the hook i have makes it a good bit easier to deal with him. would i say i absolutely need it, no, but it makes it easier with that particular snake. If i go in with just my hands he tends to strike more but when using the hook he seems to always try to retreat instead of hold his ground. BTW he is the only BP i have that it is a benefit to use it with and one of two BPs i have ever seen that it was a "need" or "aid" to have.

I would say you dont need it, but if you get a snake who is very nippy it may come in handy. for the same reason it does for me.

My BP can get pretty snappy when going into shed or in shed, so i do i have one. But only use it for situations where i know he is gonna be pissy. Why take a chance getting bit if you dont have to? It may not hurt all that much, but natural reaction is to pull your hand away if it does happen and i have pulled out some of their teeth on occasion.

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Originally Posted by Shadera

Sure have, which is why I now use the hook to open the tubs. ;)

(And still insist it didn't hurt)

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Hm well, In my case the snake bit my index finger hard and didn't let go for several seconds. It bled profusely. The pain actually came from the clamping power of her jaws, not the teeth. She could have had totally blunt teeth and it would have hurt almost as bad. My finger was bruised for a few weeks.

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Originally Posted by Smoked Oyster

Hm well, In my case the snake bit my index finger hard and didn't let go for several seconds. It bled profusely. The pain actually came from the clamping power of her jaws, not the teeth. She could have had totally blunt teeth and it would have hurt almost as bad. My finger was bruised for a few weeks.

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Well, if you ever have the opportunity to get bit by a burm (which I don't recommend) You'd be able to compare the two and probably decide that balls aren't so bad after all. :D

It's all relative...

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Well, if you ever have the opportunity to get bit by a burm (which I don't recommend) You'd be able to compare the two and probably decide that balls aren't so bad after all. :D

It's all relative...

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Lol ill pass on any burm/ red tail bites :p

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Lol ill pass on any burm/ red tail bites :p

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x2

My goal is to avoid it where possible. not that it is entirely terrible just not something on list of things to do.

Just throw a towel around your arm if your afraid of being bitten. A "SNAKE HOOK" seems a little excessive... for that matter you could just use an oven mitt , since ( IF AND WHEN THEY DO BITE. ) they typically bite fingers and hands.

I've had a couple hardcore biters in my collection. Both of them grew out of it when they hit the one-year fast... but recently a friend with a super-hungry cage aggressive adult male had to help me pry her BP off of my ring finger with a pencil. Because I smelled of mouse and old Monty decided that was good enough for a meal. Man, that bite HURT.

That said, I'm going to ditto the vote for gloves instead of a hook. Ball pythons have pretty tiny teeth, they're not venomous, and even the worst bite can be solved with a ice, beer, and good dose of self-pity. 95% of bites are on the fingers or hands, and a pair of leather gardening gloves will repel those very effectively. And you have better control with your hands, IMO.

But yeah, JKR has some sweet hooks.

I kinda want one of Justins snake hooks after seeing them. Maybe ill buy one and then just pretend my bps are cobras and use the hook with them just for fun.