Quote Originally Posted by DMTWI View Post
I didn't read through all the posts in this thread, so this question may have been asked...but since the dumerils are ambush hunters and like to burrow, do they need to be hook trained? Just wouldn't want to get tagged by a big adult while digging around in the substrate looking for her....
Thats also a good thing to bring up. Mine doesn't need a hook. I can reach right in and grab her. She doesn't have anything to burrow under. I have her in a front opening enclosure and lay down the blue Scotts shop towels (really absorbent). I have a cat litter pan that has a corner cut off (with the sharp edges melted smooth) and flipped upside down. Its not beautiful but she is comfortable. She curls up in that and watches the world outside. I tried substrate (of all kinds) when first got her but she never went under it.

She does have a VERY strong feed response. She knows there is a rat close when I step into the room. I feed with long tongs because she hits it hard. I'm often left with a tail swinging without the rat! You know she's wanting food too because she sits up and her little stubby tail lifts up and swings back and forth like a puppy.

She's pretty relaxed about everything but she is six years old. A baby would probably take some care in handling. Most snakes do seem to calm down as they get larger/older. I don't imagine hook training would hurt if you wanted to but it isn't an issue for us.