Should I continue to hook train?

[Craiga 01453]

I'm looking for some thoughts from experienced Morelia keepers.

I started working with my Bredli girl using a hook since she displayed the typical Bredli attitude when first coming home. I figured I may as well start working with her young so she's used to it once she has some size on her, just in case.

However, she's mellowed WAY out. She's not striking at all anymore and I've been able to just reach in and scoop her up the last few times she came out for handling sessions. She's inquisitive and gentle while out.

So my question is, should I keep working with the hook?

I don't have much experience working with hooks. I sometimes use one with my Borneo STP, but only when he seems a bit feisty when I lift his hide. A quick, gentle pat or three and he mellows right out and I can reach in no problem.

My gut says ditch the hook, at least for now. If she continues the way she's been I feel like I'll be fine with her. I figure she'll acclimate to me just reaching in and that's that. And if I see any reason to use it in the future I always can.

Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts!

[dakski]

Craig,

Glad everything is going well with your girl.

I only have one CP, Yafe, and he's a sweetheart. However, I hook trained him and still use the hook every time I pick him up. I do the same for the three boas.

CP's have a strong food drive and although it might not be an attitude issue, you don't want to get nailed.

My rule of thumb is all my animals that get big enough to hurt and/or have a strong food drive, get hook trained and I use it every time I pick them up, for life. They've all gotten used to it and know it means handling time and not food time. It also keeps you from accidentally waking them up or spooking them.

Additionally, in the case of Moreila, to gives them an alternative to grab onto to come out as opposed to your hand and untangling them if on a perch.

Just my two cents.

Again, very glad she's doing so well and calming down so quickly.

[Craiga 01453]

Craig,

Glad everything is going well with your girl.

I only have one CP, Yafe, and he's a sweetheart. However, I hook trained him and still use the hook every time I pick him up. I do the same for the three boas.

CP's have a strong food drive and although it might not be an attitude issue, you don't want to get nailed.

My rule of thumb is all my animals that get big enough to hurt and/or have a strong food drive, get hook trained and I use it every time I pick them up, for life. They've all gotten used to it and know it means handling time and not food time. It also keeps you from accidentally waking them up or spooking them.

Additionally, in the case of Moreila, to gives them an alternative to grab onto to come out as opposed to your hand and untangling them if on a perch.

Just my two cents.

Again, very glad she's doing so well and calming down so quickly.

Thank you, Dave! I was hoping you'd reply!

I do know you're an advocate for hook training, so I was curious to hear your thoughts. You didn't disappoint.

I hadn't considered that it would give them something to grab onto when perched. Great point!

Thanks a ton, Dave!

[Bogertophis]

I've never worked with these, but most rat snakes have a strong food drive too, & I just never have the need to hook train. I give them my scent, or at most a light
spritz of water-mist if needed, no bites. So in your situation, I don't think I'd keep hook training, but it's all up to you.

[Toad37]

I've never used a hook on my bredli. She's in a tub and she's always perched up on a log that she has unless she just ate then she's in her hide digesting on some heat. When she was younger she was of course nippy so I just started using a paper towel roll as a barrier and she stopped that very quickly. Since then I just give her a gentle rub on her body to let her know I'm there then I pick her up with no issues.

I'm all for hook training if that's what your into I guess I've just never had a need for it, as of yet. My two cents.

[EL-Ziggy]

I'm with Dave on this one. I use the hook all the time with all my snakes, even with the ones I know I don't have to. I just want them conditioned to know that whenever they feel the hook there's no food involved and they're either getting handled or I'm doing cage maintenance. I got complacent and reached into my bullsnake's enclosure unannounced and got tagged pretty good. Better safe than sorry.

[bcr229]

I have a Bredli. Got him as an adult and he's always been mellow and easy to handle - but that feeding response rivals my retic. So, if I have to put my hand in the enclosure he gets a rub with a hook or paper towel roll first, just to ensure there are no incidents.

[Dianne]

I am an advocate for hook training. I do it with all my snakes, even the corn and balls. They know that when they are gently rubbed with the hook, they will get handled. I’ve gotten a few good bites over the years before I consistently began using the hook. Some have been feeding response, some were just startled. I prefer not to risk injuries to myself, or more importantly, my snakes. No fun picking teeth out of your hand.

[dakski]

Thank you, Dave! I was hoping you'd reply!

I do know you're an advocate for hook training, so I was curious to hear your thoughts. You didn't disappoint.

I hadn't considered that it would give them something to grab onto when perched. Great point!

Thanks a ton, Dave!

No problem, brother.

I've never worked with these, but most rat snakes have a strong food drive too, & I just never have the need to hook train. I give them my scent, or at most a light
spritz of water-mist if needed, no bites. So in your situation, I don't think I'd keep hook training, but it's all up to you.

My corns and BP (Shayna) seem to make sure it's prey and then strike. Having said that, if Shayna looks curious/hungry, etc. I use the hook with her to "snap" her out of it and let her know I am picking her up. Plus, the corns cannot do much damage. Still, I probably should hook train all of them. Of course, not easy to hook train a 10G corn snake . However, at Solana's 230G now, it's probably fine. Not that she could hurt me much at 10G anyway.

I'm with Dave on this one. I use the hook all the time with all my snakes, even with the ones I know I don't have to. I just want them conditioned to know that whenever they feel the hook there's no food involved and they're either getting handled or I'm doing cage maintenance. I got complacent and reached into my bullsnake's enclosure unannounced and got tagged pretty good. Better safe than sorry.

To your last point, there is no harm in using the hook to gently let a snake know food isn't coming, or to keep from startling them with your hand. It's all upside, so why not?

I have a Bredli. Got him as an adult and he's always been mellow and easy to handle - but that feeding response rivals my retic. So, if I have to put my hand in the enclosure he gets a rub with a hook or paper towel roll first, just to ensure there are no incidents.

Yeah, Behira (BI) got me with a food bite at 500G. That's what got me into hook training. FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD is their thought process.

Feliz (BCC) is nuts about food. I had to put a drape over the front of the tank for Behira and him (they would strike and movement at night). However, the hook is so effective, he's literally been striking at the door at the sight of movement, and opening the tank and tapping him a few times and I can pick him up. It takes all of 3-4 taps and his attitude changes completely.

I am an advocate for hook training. I do it with all my snakes, even the corn and balls. They know that when they are gently rubbed with the hook, they will get handled. I’ve gotten a few good bites over the years before I consistently began using the hook. Some have been feeding response, some were just startled. I prefer not to risk injuries to myself, or more importantly, my snakes. No fun picking teeth out of your hand.

Great points Dianne. Sometimes startling them can be a problem as well. Also, great to point out that our snakes biting us can hurt them.

[CALM Pythons]

I use a hook with everything.
I always touch with the hook or anything handy just to let them know its handling time. Good habit and good conditioning for them imo.


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