Wiggles, the Children's Python

[Homebody]

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.)

The box lid worked. I thought he might try to strike the hand holding the box lid, but he didn't. I'm still puzzled by the change in behavior. Last night, he was in the same posture he's been in the past few nights, half out of his hide coiled and ready to strike. Hopefully, his upcoming shed will chill him out.