Posted by:
laurarfl
at Thu Oct 9 08:05:51 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by laurarfl ]
That's exactly what we do...probably because I came here to learn about Burms before I got one! 
The Burm I "received" was an 11ft male that was loved and handled, but not cared for properly. He's a great snake and very docile. I have grown to really enjoy Burms and think they are the best of the big snakes.
OK, the business part. I bought a hook and use it as everyone else does. It's not to lift, but to nudge and redirect. I rub him with it before I handle him, and I use it to coax him out of the cage rather than reach in and pick him up. I feed pre-killed or F/T rabbits with tongs and NO HOOK.
No one handles the snake without two people present. He needs at least two people to handle him comfortably, plus you never know when you need an extra hand for emergency sake. I keep a bottle of rubbing alcohol behind the cage in case of a bite for snake release and everyone is taught how to handle a snake bite or constricting issue. Our plan is to use alcohol to get the snake to release, unwrap from the tail, and do not call 911 unless it is an absolute necessity. (Some may not agree with that idea, but it's a political decision for us.) Then we can deal with medical attention for the bite wound.
I have two girls, ages 12 and 14. They are not allowed to open the cage, friends are not allowed to open the cage, and they know that serious consequences would follow. Perhaps we are overly cautious, but we have a reptile business and we live in a volatile area as far as reptiles are concerned. One accident would do a lot of harm to us in more ways than one! Plus, who wants to get bit by a huge snake?
Working with a hatchling would have been pretty cool, but that's not the way Samson came to us. It was a bit nerve racking suddenly having this huge constrictor, but we felt up to the challenge, and I'm glad we could give him a good home. The comment about the vet was right--Not everyone feels comfortable with large snakes. Fortunately I have a great herp vet who likes my big boy!
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RE: aggression - laurarfl, Thu Oct 9 08:05:51 2008