Reptile & Amphibian Forums

do you use two hooks? A friend said me that hooks could break vertebras of these animals, because they are very weighty and hooks could damage. My juvenile gaboons grow and I want to be ready. Regards.

I don't keep gabs so I can't answer your question, but the thought occured to me. If this is the case someone should design a hook with a wider (flatter) head to give more support to the snake.

Just a thought...

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Midwest makes a "Boa Hook" that is extremly sturdy and works well with gaboons. I ordered mine with a standard lenght shaft, then modified it to make it lighter by "Skeletonizing" it, cutting a couple of inches off the hook end, and grinding a smooth rounded point that makes it much easier to get under an adult gabby in an elevated cage. I would use a standard hook for elevating the head and neck, then slip the "Monster Hook" under to support most of the snake's mass.

ADAMS

One other approach for when they get really big is to keep them in a cage on the floor. That way you can "drag" them into a container laying on it's side and then carefully turn it upright.

Wide flat hooks are good for support, but very difficult to get under a snake unless you're standing almost directly above them.

Both methods are feasible. Larry's is probably safer for anyone who does not have absolute confidence in his ability to handle a large extremely dangerous snake. It is the ribs, not the vertebrae that are more likely to be broken by the use of a hook.

~~Greg~~

Actually if the lifting edge was angled you would not have to be directly over the animal.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

I make sure that any container/box/shift box I am transferring the gaboons to is at the same level as the cage. I will use two sturdy hooks and these work fine as long as you are only using them for very short distances; floor level cages would probably be the way to go.

>>do you use two hooks? A friend said me that hooks could break vertebras of these animals, because they are very weighty and hooks could damage. My juvenile gaboons grow and I want to be ready. Regards.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Hi:

I explored using the Midwest Python hook and found it difficult and awkward to use. Mainly because of it's weight without the Gabby and for the reason mentioned by Larry. I think they're a lot more robust than people give them credit for. She can do some jaw dropping stuff when she wants to...they are like tanks in my opinion.

I use the two hook method (Midwest standards)but I admit she is becoming to heavy even for that. She just weighed in at 12 lbs and working on 5 feet. I just may have to move out of the room and give her ownership rather than trying to wrestle her in and out. Good thing she is a sweetie and likes to get out on parole while I clean her cage.

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Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.