Quote Originally Posted by sur3fir3 View Post
How to train larger snakes on using snake sticks? So this is my issue. My Blood python is always under his bedding. This makes it quite difficult to go in there and pull him out with the snake stick. Is it ok to search through the bedding with my hands until I find him, and then use the stick? or should I be using the stick to try to find him? I've only ever dealt with Corns and kings before now, and I never tap trained them. So basically to stick train a snake can I use my hands to find his body, and then use the stick, or should I be using the stick to search through the bedding for him?
For me.... I don't have bloods but I do have several other species including reticulated pythons. I use the stick to locate or get the snake to turn their head and reach in when they are no longer looking for food. Some of them now see the stick (hook) and now just turn and move away. Others just go from "food mode" to looking to coming out. Some don't even require stick training at all. Another thing that helps me is that I only feed on one side of all my enclosures. If the other door opens they know at this point that food is not coming. The only exception to this is Max my year old RTB male. He seams to always challenge anything entering to see if it is food.

The key is to be consistent in your method and pay close attention to what your snake is telling you before, during, and after handling. I never use the stick to remove the snake or lift the snake. This can be bad for them or even hurt them if not done correctly and in some cases if done at all. You create a pressure point on a small part of their body.