Multiple Pet BP Owners- Feeding Question

[Dianne]

Thanks for sharing your method! In your opinion, is the hook training an immediate response or is it more of a learned response? Is the first time effective or do they have to learn what it means?


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I think the hook training is more a learned response, though I think some snakes pick it up quicker than others. That said, I believe some of that is probably a direct result of the strength of their feeding response rather than intelligence. My female boa was an absolute must for hook training, incredible food response as a juvenile, so I wanted the training in place well before adulthood. I’ve kept a number of different species over the years, but implemented hook training for all of them for consistency.

Piper is the only ball python I have that really needs the hook training. She’s just a 2018 hatchling, so it isn’t like she’s large enough to hurt, but she strikes everything coming into the cage unless I touch her with the hook first. Speaking of which, you typically aren’t using the hook alone to pick up or move a snake. It’s more to touch the snake, move a hide, and/or generally let the snake know there isn’t food coming. At most I’ll use the hook to gently nudge a snake closer to the enclosure door or to help support part of the body for my boa as she’s cruising away from me.