Wiggles, the Children's Python

[Bogertophis]

Well, that didn't work. He struck the hook, then my gloves. It occurred to me afterward that he's due for a shed. Maybe that's why he's acting so crazy.

That's one reason I don't advocate or use "hook training"- hooks aren't so good for a snake's mouth & I've HAD snakes that grabbed & hung onto a hook. A more harmless way to "change the channel" they're on is a brief spray mist of cool water in the face. And no, it's not being "mean"- snakes in the wild can be seen drinking rain that falls in their face too. (I also use scent- I blow my scent from across my hand in their direction & watch for them to get the message that it's me & not food. And sometimes I use something like a box lid to block their view. What works the best depends on the snake & the mood they're currently in.)