My experience with boas has led me to believe that they would rather not bite if they can get by with a good bluff. Something like a Bullsnake. Now, there will be people telling me Bullsnakes would rather bite than bluff. OK. You've got your opinion and I've got mine. Furthermore, boas will generally NOT bite the hand/arm of the person holding them, even if they are bowed up hissing and striking. Generally it is all air lunges and show.
Now, Pythons on the other hand, will deliberately bite the hand/arm that holds them in a willful, spiteful, premeditated manner; even if they are not displaying any attitude whatsoever. That is why I prefer Boas over Pythons, I guess. Like I said, I just can't read Pythons. I admit, that's my opinion, based in my personal deficiencies on the subject. And the simple fact that some varieties grow too large at times for one person to safely handle. Just my preference based on my experience.
OK. I admit most of my experience is with Boas. Don't use a snake hook. Never have. Don't have any Venomous or any snakes large enough to require a snake hook. In my opinion, any snake large enough to require two people to handle it would be one I'd use a snake hook on. Then again, I don't keep my snakes in all glass aquariums with screen tops and heat lamps from above and don't advocate doing so.
There are plenty of photos depicting my life experience with snakes and other things on my Photobucket page at: http://photobucket.com/jscrick/ Over thirty photo albums to the left of the page. Many are just Internet photo posting work files. You're welcome to look.
jsc


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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

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