burm problems

JdmAllMotorHatc · 12-10-04, 01:57 AM

My burm which i got id say a month ago or so ive been having problems with him striking at me and hissing a lot when i try to get him out to handle him any reason why he may be in this mood, also ive been feeding him a full size mouse every 4 to 5 days hes about 3 foot long he just seems like hes always hungry should i up the feeding or what?

HeatherRose · 12-10-04, 02:54 PM

An adult mouse is probably way to small for your burm. I don't have much experience with burms, but I feed my ball python of the same size at least adult rats when I feed him. Try larger prey items, and just letting him settle for a week or two. After that time period, constant handling is pretty much the only way to get a snake to stay calm when handled. The burm people can probably help you out much more though...

gonesnakee · 12-10-04, 03:04 PM

In addition to what Heather has said, why even bother with mice? They are too small already, it is being underfed. I would get it on Rats or pinkie rabbits right away before it develops a liking to something that isn't going to cut it as a future prey. Also you probably want to invest in a snake hook for use in removing it from its enclosure. Mark

timminsreptiles · 12-10-04, 03:32 PM

ive been feeding rats and pink rabbits since my burms were 3 feet...like heather and gone said, you dont want it to start liking the mice to the point where it wont take anything else... As far as it beeing snappy the only thing really that'll fix that is regular handling. Another thing that some people do is actually letting it bite without flinching after a while it will realize that there is no use in bitting. Some people also try putting a worn piece of clothing (like day old underwears,LOL not crusty but worn for a day) where it can get used to your scent........hope this helps...lucas

JdmAllMotorHatc · 12-10-04, 07:40 PM

alright thanks, next week ill try feeding bigger prey and handling more

Princesssss · 12-13-04, 11:38 PM

Our Burm is very well behaived, but I would say that you definatly do need to move to maybe small rats. I would say two small rats once every week. Try to handle it regularly..and make sure that yoru not hadling it after you have been around mice or any sort of rodents. Other then that...you may just have to deal with a not so friendly snake lol...sorry

Linds · 12-15-04, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gonesnakee
Also you probably want to invest in a snake hook for use in removing it from its enclosure.

Agreed 100% A good snake hook is an invaluable tool when dealing with even the most placid large snakes. You will definitely want to work with your snake frequently, it is definitely a lot easier to deal with a giant python when it isn't highly upset about it

Ryan Pye · 12-23-04, 09:19 AM

Do you feed your burm in it's enclosure? If so either start feeding it in something else ie a rubbermaid ( so then it gets use to knowing that when you enter its enclosure you are not feeding it)or if you feed it in its enclosure then definately get yourself a hook. All my burms (smalleast is 10 ft.) are used to the hook, all I do is go in a touch them with it to let them know Im there and then as much as possible use it to assist in takeing them out.

Ryan
reptilesafari@sympatico.ca

Ryan Pye · 12-23-04, 09:20 AM

Do you feed your burm in it's enclosure? If so either start feeding it in something else ie a rubbermaid ( so then it gets use to knowing that when you enter its enclosure you are not feeding it)or if you feed it in its enclosure then definately get yourself a hook. All my burms (smallest is 10 ft.) are used to the hook, all I do is go in a touch them with it to let them know Im there and then as much as possible use it to assist in takeing them out.

Ryan
reptilesafari@sympatico.ca

concept3 · 12-23-04, 10:33 AM

I have to disagree here with what Ryan said, In my experience ( yet not with burms) but with any snake I have ever owned I feed in the enclosure and have never had a problem with it mistaking me for food. I have never heard or read any studies supporting that either.
Removing it from its enclosure and putting it in a seperate container, would probably just reduce the chance of it accepting a meal/

BoidKeeper · 12-23-04, 10:42 AM

I disagree too. Are you going to start pulling out a 15 foot burm every time you want to feed it?
Cheers,
Trevor

Jayson · 12-23-04, 11:33 AM

Your post does not actually say the size of your snake, so i dont know that it is actually under fed, however if it is a juvinile then you have what is a fairly typical burm. The are born with the instinct that everything smaller then him is food and everything larger them him is predator. They outgrow this fairly quick with gentle handling.
I also agree that removing a potentially large snake from its inclosure to feed is a bad practice.

Jayson · 12-23-04, 11:35 AM

OOPS
My bad 3'
Ya he could go to a small - med rat

JdmAllMotorHatc · 12-23-04, 08:28 PM

i fed him a small rat and he did fine with it, and yes i do take him out of his cage for feeding time, i also have heard that not all snakes mistake your hand as food and its ok to feed them where they live....

Ryan Pye · 12-26-04, 11:04 PM

I do not pull out my Burms for feeding, it is merely an idea that I have seen others use for various types of snakes (including juvi pythons) and it seems to work, and BTW my burms NEVER refuse a meal. But there are lots of times where people have been mistaken for food and bit, have you ever watched "the big squeeze" on either NG or Animal Planet? There were a few people on there bitten because of a feeding response. Actually come to think of it, I was bit by a 4 ft bci a few years ago thinking that my hand was food (he was an aggressive feeder) but also most burms are too.

just a thought
Ryan