I have never hook trained any of my snakes and they are all fine, even my retic. I do use a twisted paper towel to boop him on the snoot if he spazzes out. Generally all my snakes are perk up when a cage door is opened but if they don't smell food, they pretty much relax.
Now at feeding time, I have to be very careful as all my snakes are dangerous when food is near. That's a no joke time as my bigger ones could do damage if an accident happened.
As for is it needed, that's only a question you can answer based on your snakes' attitudes.
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