Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok so I am new to this concept of snake hoks but then I realized it mgiht be easier than getting bit my animals wh9ile trying to get the into their feed boxes. so I was wondering what hooks you people perfer and I only own one burm as of late the other are smaller and more easily managed.

First of all I highly recommend feeding in the cage. The concept of feeding in a separate container is that the snake does not think you are food when you reach into the cage. However, moving a snake after eating causes stress on the animal, and you do not want to move a large snake while it is still in feeding mode. Also when fed in the cage the snake does not associate being out as feeding time. I do not want to take out a large constrictor and have it think it is going to eat!!!!

Hooks vary in size/length-get one that suits your needs. The way I use the hook is any time the cage is opened for handling, changing water, spot cleaning, I touch the snake on the nose, head, or rub his body with the hook. They soon learn that the hook means "no food is coming". Depending on the snake's personality you can then reach in and remove the snake or hook the snake and get him out. The snake NEVER sees or is touched by the hook when food is introduced to the cage.

I have boas, carpets, bloods, burms, retics, anacondas, and afrocks and this hook conditioning has worked very well for me. All are fed inside the cage and all are tame once removed from the cage. Hope this helps-Bill

You're right on the money! I simply touch or rub Moses and he instantly knows he ain't eatin! Some people will bash you for using a hook but it's a good tool. Just make sure it's sturdy. I made mine from a steel rod and 1" dowel at Lowe's. I used my vice to make the hook and a die to thread the end so it would screw into the dowel. I also made another stick from the same material except....I used a small band clamp and clamped an alligator clip to the end. I clip the tail of the rat and dangle it in front of my snakes when they need a little stimualtion to eat. Works Great!
-----
DZ
1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Dog, Pivo (tumor in liver, will uethenized Oct 23)
Lotsa fish
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

will this work even if the snake is a year old or so. this is an animal I just picked up so I am curious

Yes, the snake will become conditioned to the hook. What I do with a new snake after acclimation is to open the cage several times per day just to touch it with the hook in addition to handling/cleaning. I bought a retic last year-he was one year old, raised in a rack, and was not handled much. The first time I touched him with the hook he struck and chewed on it! The next few times he struck the hook and let go. After a few weeks I could touch him with the hook and pick him up with no problems-he is now one of my tamest snakes. Again, the rule here is the snake is to never even see a hook at feeding time.

As you gain more large snake experience you will really appreciate feeding in the cage and using a hook. A large constrictor out of its cage in feed mode is down right dangeous. A boa or carpet python is one thing-15 foot plus of burm, retic, or anaconda is another. I wish you the best-Bill.

sometimes, if my 6' BCI doesn't take (F/T) rat right away, I use the hook to push it closer. Didn't realise the snake could associate the hook with food, but you're right, From now on I'll just leave her alone-after all-the (F/T) rat don't bite.

One thing I observed: I feed all the large snakes F/T off a long pair of shiney metal tongs. When I walk past the stacks of cages just carrying the empty tongs the snakes take notice-especially the retics. At the sight of the tongs the retics are all wide eyed with their noses pressed against the doors! Bill.

I wonder if they actually recognize the tong shape or if it's the shiny reflection they notice?
-----
DZ
1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Dog, Pivo (tumor in liver, will uethenized Oct 23)
Lotsa fish
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

All my animals react to the tongs. I'm sure it's the actual item they associate with food. And with snakes, perhaps it still has a strong smell of prey on it?

.