I see guys, thanks for the comments. It's really weird, I guess I just get freaked out when the snakes follow my hand even if it's the ball pythons. It's easier to use the hook to kind of nudge the ball pythons away from the corner. That way, I can get a better hold on them from underneath their bodies. As far as my hogg island boas (mean nippers) I definitely have to scoop them out with the hook. If not, they will lunge straight at my hand. I also use the hook to control where the head of the snake goes.