Bite Club - First Bite from BCI Behira/Hook Training

[Momokahn]

With my first Burm some 30 years ago I used a roll of paper towels. With my boas back then I never used anything until I got bit the first time. It was no big deal but I hated it for my snake. Knowing it could do damage to their mouth and lead to worse issues, they to were introduced to a roll of paper towels.

Today I have used a telescopic hook on my new Burm since day one. The hook I have covered with 3 layers of different sized Tygon tubing to make it softer. Even though he has only hissed once and never has struck it, he gets the same greeting from me each time except when feeding.

Not using a conditioning device to get a snake out of feed or defense mode is a choice. I choose to do it for my snakes health more than my health.

Being part of the snake bite club I have no pride in. Yes I will agree it is no big deal and I have no great fear of being bit. It is more of a "I'm not doing my job" as a snake handler to provide the best care, comfort, and sense of security for my snake if it chooses to strike.

[dakski]

Behira, predictably, ate like a champ tonight and took down a 60G F/T small rat.

NICE TO SEE HER BITE SOMETHING THAT WASN'T ME!

All kidding aside, thank you to everyone for their support and thanks.

Katie came over to see Behira eat today too (after she struck - lol). She's back in the game.

I really appreciate everyone understanding that Katie is very new to this. She had never held a snake, or even a lizard, before meeting me in June 2016. Now we live together with 5 dogs (I had 2 and she had 3), which is enough in and of itself, and now 7 reptiles and 5 reptile tanks! Her dad hates snakes and her mom pretty much feels the same.

She really seems to embrace the menagerie now better than I could have hoped. She supports my passion and even joins in. I love her with all my heart and adore her, and am thankful, for her open mindedness.

I couldn't imagine not having reptiles in my life, but understand many people don't get it, and wouldn't want them in their home. It may be ignorance more than anything, but moving in with someone and getting engaged, etc. is enough of an adjustment. The reptiles added to the stress initially, but all seems to be working out now.

Not sure this is the appropriate place for all this, if there is one here, but thank you again for letting me share this.

[dakski]

Quick update:

Behira was stretched out tonight, seemingly looking for food (already!) with her head up and tense as I walked by.

I opened the tank and stroked her gently with the handle of the hook, as I have been doing for almost two weeks now. She tensed for a second, then put her head down, and let me pick her up, no problem.

Hook training is working very well.

I can't say she loves it, but realizes no food is coming. Additionally, once I picked her up, total doll as usual. She fell asleep on my chest for 1/2 hour while I was watching TV with Katie.

I think this is going to work out nicely for all involved.

I'll keep everyone in the loop!

[richardhind1972]

Deffinetly worth all the hard work dakski , that’s how I won my img round, tend too loose less blood that way too,lol


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[dakski]

Deffinetly worth all the hard work dakski , that’s how I won my img round, tend too loose less blood that way too,lol


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I like my blood in my body!

Seriously though, I want Behira to be comfortable. I also want to know how to read her and know I can trust her being held and with Katie, etc. Zero issues once out of tank, but I want to try to avoid issues in as well.

I really appreciate everyones advice here.

[Jus1More]

I like my blood in my body!

Seriously though, I want Behira to be comfortable. I also want to know how to read her and know I can trust her being held and with Katie, etc. Zero issues once out of tank, but I want to try to avoid issues in as well.

I really appreciate everyones advice here.

It is always nice to hear a positive ending to a story... With that said, I recently purchased a female Sonoran het leopard boa and I must say, the Sonorans are in a class of their own. The breeder warned me about these young Sonorans and that it is their nature as youngsters to be vocal...and he wasn't kidding. Everytime you go into her tub she is immediately very vocal (hissing) at you and waiting to tag you (and she has tagged me). So I've started with the hook and she is slowing coming around. I know that her behavior maybe part of being young and also being defensive, so hopefully she will associate with the hook as not waiting to harm her. At the end, once you do get her out of her tub she is sweet as pie and a delight to handle...

[Zincubus]

As regards hook usage ... oddly enough I use one for the HD Hypo Burm and the SD Purple Albino Retic and any of the bitey / unpredictable Kings / Ratsnakes ..

The only ones I just use my bare hands for are the adult Corn Snake , the Royals , Rhino- Nosed rat snake and the Sand Boa ... who I trust implicitly.

Hooks ( tiny 12" ones ) are great for baby Corns or any little , fast moving hatchlings .... as they scarper when you go to pick them up but when you get the hook gently under them they kinda relax and it's so much waster to lift them out gently with the hook and one hand .

Just prefer it chasing then all around the viv


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[dakski]

As regards hook usage ... oddly enough I use one for the HD Hypo Burm and the SD Purple Albino Retic and any of the bitey / unpredictable Kings / Ratsnakes ..

The only ones I just use my bare hands for are the adult Corn Snake , the Royals , Rhino- Nosed rat snake and the Sand Boa ... who I trust implicitly.

Hooks ( tiny 12" ones ) are great for baby Corns or any little , fast moving hatchlings .... as they scarper when you go to pick them up but when you get the hook gently under them they kinda relax and it's so much waster to lift them out gently with the hook and one hand .

Just prefer it chasing then all around the viv


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I also trust my BP and Corn implicitly! My BP barely ever strikes are her rat, so not too worried about my hand! My corn is a very aggressive striker/eater, but he always smells and tastes first. Once he knows it's prey - BAM!

Behira is ready to strike at anything once she smells food! Or, apparently, sometimes just thinking about it!

However, the hook training is going great! And she is a puppy dog.

Anything with size, that can do damage, makes all the sense the world to hook train. No need to be a hero. Better for you and the snake!

My Corn, Figment, was 9G when I got him. Never bit, but hard to grab those little suckers! Never thought about using a hook to round them up! Good idea!

[dakski]

It is always nice to hear a positive ending to a story... With that said, I recently purchased a female Sonoran het leopard boa and I must say, the Sonorans are in a class of their own. The breeder warned me about these young Sonorans and that it is their nature as youngsters to be vocal...and he wasn't kidding. Everytime you go into her tub she is immediately very vocal (hissing) at you and waiting to tag you (and she has tagged me). So I've started with the hook and she is slowing coming around. I know that her behavior maybe part of being young and also being defensive, so hopefully she will associate with the hook as not waiting to harm her. At the end, once you do get her out of her tub she is sweet as pie and a delight to handle...

Yeah, I hear little ones in general can be defensive. Didn't know Sonorans were worse, but I don't doubt it. Behira was a little over 1 years old when we got her. She was with a small breeder who handles his animals, so she was already very chill. I also asked for his tamest BCI, any morph.

Keep working with her and you should get there.

Remember, snakes need a lot of consistency and reinforcement. They do not think like we do, or dogs, for example. You can't reward or scold a snake, so it just takes time and consistent reinforcement. Did I mention it takes consistent reinforcement and time?

Good luck!

[Jus1More]

Yeah, I hear little ones in general can be defensive. Didn't know Sonorans were worse, but I don't doubt it. Behira was a little over 1 years old when we got her. She was with a small breeder who handles his animals, so she was already very chill. I also asked for his tamest BCI, any morph.

Keep working with her and you should get there.

Remember, snakes need a lot of consistency and reinforcement. They do not think like we do, or dogs, for example. You can't reward or scold a snake, so it just takes time and consistent reinforcement. Did I mention it takes consistent reinforcement and time?

Good luck!

Thank you dakski... btw your BCI is absolutely stunning. I really wanted to stay with the dwarfs as they dont get to big. My other boa is a Hogg Island Boa and she is puppy dog tame. Then there is my 2 BP's who could care less if they are handled...
Still love them though...LOL Have an awesome day!