>>I was planning on getting two hooks anyhow, perhaps one kept at the opposite side of room from where (most of) the snakes will be staged, or for bigger hots...aren't two recommended for snakes of significant size?

I use 2 hooks for almost every snake, with the exception of the fairly small (under 18 inches) and the very large (king cobras and some VERY large rattlesnakes).

I would really recommend THREE 36-40" hooks (two to use and one for backup) and at least one 24" for the small stuff.

www.madprogrammer.com/snakes/handling/

Here's an example of a rattlesnake too big to handle with two hooks (the photo makes it look like the snake is closer to my body than it really is.)

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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.