Preventing a snake from becoming food reactive?

[KieranKD]

I'm not quite sure the proper term for it, but essentially what I mean is preventing them from thinking they are going to be fed every time you approach/open their enclosure. I currently own an unsexed (sold as male) BCI who's roughly six feet who thinks he's being fed every time he sees a person and will actively try to strike and eat your hands/arms. He has an incredibly sweet disposition out of the enclosure - he isn't even head shy - he just really, really likes to eat. He goes from an incredibly chill snake to feeding mode the second he's placed back into his enclosure.

While this is completely manageable for me on a 6-7 foot snake, one of my dream reptiles is a Burmese and I fear a big adult with this same behavior won't be manageable at all. Are there any tips or tricks for snakes who just really like to eat to not be so food reactive when opening/approaching enclosures?

[Aerries]

Two words, Hook Training . Lol my Boa is always thinking it’s food time, and hook training is a saving grace for both my hands and her face lol. That and I cover the front of her enclosure so she can’t see me


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[richardhind1972]

It's called tap/hook training
Best started when young but definitely worth a try, soon snaps them out of food mode, after a few strokes normally

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[Aerries]

yea that terminology hahah I need my coffee, 4hours of sleep isn’t letting me think


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[Bogertophis]

...While this is completely manageable for me on a 6-7 foot snake, one of my dream reptiles is a Burmese and I fear a big adult with this same behavior won't be manageable at all. Are there any tips or tricks for snakes who just really like to eat to not be so food reactive when opening/approaching enclosures?

Hook aka tap training for sure, but also, you need more than one person on hand for SAFE handling (including feeding in enclosure!) depending on their size & your skills.

Being 'food reactive' is just normal for snakes, & the bigger they are, the more we have to pay attention. There's a very good reason why so many large constrictors are
"free to good (any?) home", and why zoos get daily calls from fearful owners wanting to donate theirs. Not good "pets" for MOST people, and even then, many laws are
prohibiting them, so make sure you check first: any of your local town, county or state laws may rule them out. If you don't have reliable & snake-skilled friends or family
who will ALWAYS be around to help you with a giant constrictor, please reconsider your "dream reptile" or get a zoo job. Don't forget that if you don't own your own home
it may be very hard to find a rental, even if not prohibited by law. Even if you own your home, insurance may be another road-block. And don't forget that giant snakes
need expensive housing & food...make sure your budget can handle their needs, along with vet care as needed.

[dakski]

I agree 100%, hook training.

If you are not sure how to do, here is a thread. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ead-with-Video

Additionally, handle a few times between feedings. This way the snake should get conditioned that it's not food every time you go into his/her enclosure.

[Bogertophis]

BTW, my post above may have come off as pretty negative about keeping a giant snake for a pet, but I only intended for you to really think about it before getting
one...sadly, not everyone does. I can't say they aren't impressive or beautiful, but do imagine what it's like to actually LIVE with a really large (strong!) snake, to be
sure you're doing it for the right reasons. "Fun" doesn't mean the same thing to everyone, lol. And remember that with the big meals also comes big clean-ups...for
many long years to come.

[Zincubus]

BTW, my post above may have come off as pretty negative about keeping a giant snake for a pet, but I only intended for you to really think about it before getting
one...sadly, not everyone does. I can't say they aren't impressive or beautiful, but do imagine what it's like to actually LIVE with a really large (strong!) snake, to be
sure you're doing it for the right reasons. "Fun" doesn't mean the same thing to everyone, lol. And remember that with the big meals also comes big clean-ups...for
many long years to come.

As above ^

Maybe a half dwarf or better still a dwarf Burm ??

I got lucky and had a HD Half Dwarf Hypo Burm that topped out at 7’ !!

Sweet tempered as well !!


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