How to Hook Train a Snake

Hook training is a simple technique that can be really helpful with food-reactive snakes. If you're trying to not get bit by your snake when you open their enclosure, hook training might be the solution. But there are ways to do it right and ways to do it wrong. In this video, I'll show you how I hook train three of my snakes.

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This channel is all about the care of ball pythons (and some other snakes), health, breeding, genetics, handling, behavior. We'll cover everything I can think of that has to do with keeping ball pythons. Lots of layman term science, and some laughs. Subscribe and click the notification bell and get notified when a new weekly video is posted:
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[icemanbentley]

I asked you the other day about a bp who likes to bite you sent me a link on taming an this video of hook training he’s doing a lot better all ready a lot of the problems was me being nervous and afraid of getting bit I held him earlier today with a lot more confidence with out any problems thanks bob you are the snake whisper lol

[lauraholzler]

I've pushed back on the idea that snakes are dumb since the 90's. I had so many snakes over the years that could recognize individual people.

[squidikins]

I have a BP who is VERY food motivated. He's the sweetest, most handleable snake when he's out, but in his tank? Everything is food. So I do a combination of hook and tap training. I tap the tank with tongs for food time and that usually has him darting out for it. When I handle him, I don't tap and I use the hook to go in and touch him. Once he's being handled, you can do anything, gently squeeze his little cheeks, touch his head, he doesn't care. But inside that tank? He thinks it's food time.

[ScreamingYellowMach]

Been using the hook technique for many years with my snakes. Works every time!

[tevyelamplighter]

Thanks for your content, Bob. I like your calm and patient approach to keeping, and hope to emulate it. Beginning to hook train my Brazilian Rainbow Boa neonate soon, and I am trying to learn as many things as I can along the way. The little guy is gonna be with me for a long time, so he deserves the best from me.

[antisocialmuffin]

I’ve got 2 balls. 1 is crazy chill. The other is more defensive and has a high food drive. I’m working on hook training her.

[Ksane]

My Ball Pythons don't need it but my Boas do lol I'm getting my 6 mo old female started now, shes convinced it's always time to eat, although she's never bit me. Her & my Suriname as going to get big enough that I'd rather be safe than sorry. Great video, thanks!

[samueldowd]

I have woma python and it's so true, always in food mode

[cameroncockrum]

Opened YouTube just in time! Love ya Bob!!

[chriss]

I use hook training on my common boa. She has a very strong feeding response and after a couple of bites, I decided to start hook training. She is over 5ft now and bites aren’t fun at this point. Never defensive though. She is very easy to handle once she realizes its not dinner when I open her enclosure.

[ruthyoung]

All 3 of my babies I have to use a hook on to lift out and put on my hand works so much better!!! Otherwise I am the person you were talking about at the beginning of the video!! 😂😂😂

[dolphintaylor]

I survived my first bite from a snake last week! Specifically a ball python I reached in to spot clean next to a cork log that, Surprise! Kyiv was apparently occupying. At first I wasn't 100%sure what just happened. It felt more like he bopped me with his nose than a bite but then a minute later I saw a tiny line of pinpricks... I've hurt myself worse popping a zit lmao. Ive read/ heard online many keepers express the idea that BP bites aren't that bad but I didn't know how minimal they really can be. Thankfully it was defensive and not a feeding response. We both just got startled a bit lol

[theunorthodox]

Awesome video, Bob! Just what I needed! I recently got my new BP (3 year old 860g, owner said she bred by mistake) I assume she is skinny. Anyway, I noticed she was pretty calm in the beginning and she ate right from the get go, however, she started being a lot more defensive. when I opened the enclosure to take her our she started hissing and wanted to bite me and actually bit herself; I must say I got a little bit freaked out because my gf is scared of snakes and I tried to cover it up as "it was nothing, and i washed it off" so, she wouldn't get scared when I get her out. But now I just ordered a snake hook from amazon and I'll wrap the tongs in blue tape as that is what I use for feeding. I'm gonna be a patreon now. Cheers

[ruthyoung]

Absolutely loved the comedy! Cracks me up

[Loveofscales]

My BP probably didn't require hook training bit I used to be scared of snakes so when we first got him hook training him and noticing the shift once it clicked for him helped me be more confident until I wasn't afraid anymore. He still knows that hook means handle and taps mean food.

[ruthyoung]

I love your videos and sense of humor!!! This is the 4th time watching this video. Very funny

[glamourgirl]

My ball python is cantankerous today! Thus this video.

[af]

BRBs, Antaresia, jungle carpets and even a couple of corn snakes - I like using a hook, and although I don’t handle my snakes lots, I do find it makes things a lot easier, and possibly less alarming for the snakes as well.

[keithharper]

A lot of fun moments in this week's video, and cute outtakes too with Stella. If Dr. J.O.A.N. doesn't become less food-motivated soon, we might give hook training a try with her. 👍

[angrynene]

Surprisingly my very chonky Limburg Coastal Snow Rosy is very food motivated. He seems to think every time I open his tub it's food time and he bites me all the time. So I'm learning snake hooking bc he gotta learn that I'm not food😂🐍