Hooks and/or gloves for BPs?

I'm still in the process of setting up for my first BP and I'm doing lots of searches here and reading lots of threads, but I can't really put my finger on if I need a hook or gloves for a BP?
Does anybody have any input into this?

Personally I only use a hook to get them out of enclosures then handle by hand

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Perhaps just a hook? I just kinda scoop Pua from underneath with my hand and he's fine. It's a good tool to have if you need to handle a very defensive or aggressive individual or one that's in shed. Gloves aren't necessary really. Unless you're handling poop, then there's little use for them. Just wash your hands after handling and disinfect areas where the snake is on regularly and you should be fine [emoji4][emoji106]


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I've been bit by three of my Bloods, Hognose, GTP, and BRB. Many of those were while the snakes were already out and binging handled when a hook would no longer be needed. Some of these bites were on my fingers/hands but many were on my forearms and one on my chest where gloves would not cover.

For a BP I don't think either is needed.

If you handle enough snakes you will eventually get bit. Many times it happens out of the blue. My BRB who has always been a very good boy randomly bit my chest just a couple weeks ago and then snapped twice more after. He was having an off day but gloves and a hook would not have prevented it.

I just got my BP myself but so far I haven't really seen any use for any of it. Just lightly lift her from underneath and she just coming right with me after a couple days of handling shes gotten to the point she will crawl up into my hand and don't even need to pick her up. Gloves might be good if you don't want to handle the rodents though.


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You dont need either. BPs arent known as biters and even if you did get bit, they arent larger enough to do anything other than piss you off lol. I've had Dottie try to drag my finger into her hide to eat it and i had to pick her up with my other hand and dunk her and my finger into her water bowl to get her to let go. It didnt hurt but bled all over.

You don't need either. BPs are generally very docile and handle well. Just avoid entering the enclosure like a predator trying to eat the snake.

Chances are, your BP will be under a hide when you want to pick him/her up. Just lift the hide, let the snake know it's you and you are not a danger using slow, deliberate movements. Avoid reaching for the snake's head and pick the snake up from "behind", meaning away from the head from the opposite direction the head is facing. Easy breezy.

It's true, that if you handle enough snakes, often enough, you're going to get tagged eventually. A BP bite won't hurt. It'll startle you and then just be annoying more than anything.

But, no, hooks and gloves are not necessary for a BP.

Gloves, no. A hook is useful for a snoot boop for those rare instances when your ball python is really foody - like a female recovering from laying eggs. You can make do with an empty paper towel tube or rolled up newspaper though.

I do not use ether however if you want to use one out of the two get a hook, a gloves means if the animal strike at it it will likely get his teeth caught into it and lost teeth can lead to abscess.

A BP bite is really nothing it feels like paper cut and if you read your animal you will reduce the chances of it happening.

I do usually wear sterile gloves for getting my snakes out and/or cleaning their cages - I prefer the kind that tattoo artists use, if I can find them. This is because I'm a clean freak - especially for handling multiple animals back and forth - though in all honesty, I doubt BP teeth would do much damage to them with a defensive strike.

The only time I've used a hook was for bigger snakes, like boas, and that was just for the unpredictable ones, or if I needed to do something before feeding. Usually a light boop on the nose from a paper towel roll will curb any attempts from a BP.

Thank you all so much for the input. I think I'll pass on both the hook and the gloves. I can't see a need for either of them and you all seem to reinforce that. :)

I'd say no. Long as you let your BP know you're there first (knocking on the enclosure or hide will suffice) that'll help a lot. Usually strikes and huffs happen when the snake is startled and feels threatened.

I love my hook its one of my useful tools . I have a long one and a shorter one. If your snake is cranky or you need to move him away and hes looking for food its nice to have one around. No, not necessary but just a great tool.
I use the big one to reach up and turn off the fan when Im lounging and ive used it plenty of times to get stuff out from under furniture..I also use it for flipping rocks.

Hooks are great things , I use them for moving the heads away ( bigger snakes and/or Burms / Retics / Kings etc before get hold of them . Small books are great for lifting up smaller snakes and lifting them out rather than chasing them around ...

I don't use either. I've only been bit a couple of times and didn't feel a thing. I keep the kids on ye tubs in the rack. So I have to completely remove the tub to get the snake out. By the time the lid is off, they already know what's going on and they rarely resist. Except for one skittish girl that makes a break for it when I take her hide off.

Kyle


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I only use a snake hook and that is to open hungry snake tubs on feeding day because they tend to fly out at anything warm.

Use whatever allows you to confidently approach the snake. Neither is needed, either can be used effectively.