I had a thought when I was feeding Pofy yesterday. It may have been mentioned before but I couldn't find any reference ( and I may be being particularly dumb here, please forgive a learning novice!!)
Is it possible to train a snake, and I don't mean 'sit up and beg'. I wondered if a light tap on the viv could mean 'come out to play' and a scrtch on the side could mean 'tea-time'.
Just a thought.
I know some of you may be thinking who let this guy look after live animals, but hey, why not?

We've trained ours with a feeder tank. They do not relate to food when we enter there cage to clean or handle. As soon as we place them in the feeder tank they know exactly what's about to happen.

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Ken
" The United States Marine Corps......sure we are a department of the Navy,,,,,,we're the MENS department "

Bob Clark suggests lightly tapping a snake on the head with a soft stick, or just placing it there for a few seconds. (I have a close friend who keeps big Burms and Retics, and he does this also.) It will condition the snake, and I have found it to be extremely effective.

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"You know you have faith when you realize that thoughts are things; what you feel, you attract; and what you imagine, you become."
-Joseph Murphy, Phd

Only two of my snakes comes out to me when I tap on the glass or open their doors, thats two out of 8, one of those is my kinsnake and the other my snowcorn, but my snow is really sociable and climbs onto my hand, and the kingsnake I think he just sees his freedom when I open his lol.

Thanks Kenman, I already use a seperate tank when I'm cleaning him out, but it may be worth a try.
Todd, I'm a bit unsure about tapping his head with a stick. What exactly is your friend teaching with this method?
Steel, I know what you mean, Pofy just thinks it's time to make a break for it when I get him out! he seems to settle a bit but I do get the distinct impression he would rather be left alone.
I'll have to try to think of something and I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks Mat

I've "trained" my garter snakes to do stuff. I taught them to eat mice by rubbing the mice on frogs, making the snakes think they're eating frogs. I even taught them to come when I want them to. I just do that "come hither" curly thing with my finger and they come right to me. 'Course its only because they mistake my moving finger for a worm, but little kids don't know that and they think its amazing That's about all the snake training I've ever done, though I don't think it really counts.

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"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

Thanks furry - lol
I'll remember that when my grandson visits again!