Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my burm since she hatched out and has had an excellent disposition all her life. the other day I was changing a bulb in her cage and she came up and bit me in my fat belly. She didn't try to coil me...but she didn't let go immediately either. I had to drag her still attached to my kitchen so I could pour some rum on her mouth. Keep in mind that she weighs around 125-150Lbs! I don't blame the snake though. I failed to realize that I had just come from my family and probably smelled like a cat. She was just reacting to the smell of "food" I know I should have had someone else there to help out (and I will in the future)but I live by myself and have had no problems. I got lucky this time. Had she bitten me on the face or neck I would have been in a lot of trouble. I showwed the bite mark to a few non snake people and have had the same response --- Why didn't you kill It? My reply "Why would I kill her when it was my own fault? I hold no malice towards regina ...I do however give her a bit more respect. I have had worse bites from amazon tree boas,monitor lizards,raccoons,dogs ....well just thought I would share this with yall

that no matter how "Tame" or "Docile" your pet snake is, it is still a wild animal and will at times react as such. I have known people to make very bad judgement calls regarding handling their animals just because they have had them so long and feel that they know how this snake is going to act 100% of the time. One post that stood out as being the most accurate description of snake keepers was posted by LarryF a while back. It was primarily to describe venomous keepers, but at the same time the same can hold true for a variety of snakes....especially any ones that can kill you.

It was basically stated that snake keepers come in 6 levels.

Level 1- Newbie, basically doesn't know how the snake is going to behave at any point in time.

Level 2- Still a beginner, but understands how the snake is going to behave SOME of the time.

Level 3- Intermediate, knows how the snake will behave MOST of the time.

Level 4- Advanced, knows how the snake will behave 100% of the time.

Level 5- Realizes he was WRONG at level 4 at that any snake can do something completely unexpected whether it is the first time or the 1,777th time you handle the snake.

Jedi Level- Knows about level 5 but behaves like level 4 because he feels that his reflexes are quick enough. Once again, determined to be WRONG.

Enjoy your animals and stay safe!

Best Wishes,

Chris

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My Website
www.herpfanatic.com

Well I have been around some kind of snakes all my life,although I've only been around large boids for the past ten years or so and still consider myself a novice and probably always will,hence my choice of screen name.I have had my largest burm for only about 8 years and I have been bitten on 3 occasions,2 of which I'm sure I had coming and on the third I'm sure I did as well,just didn't know it,LOL.Everytime I intoduce my snakes to new people,which I am always glad to do,it seems the first question is ALWAYS "Does she bite?" The best response I can always come up with is CAN she absolutely.WILL she? PROBABY not,I think this comes from always considering myself a novice and convincing myelf (and anyone else arouund) that they will always at heart be "wild" animals.The first time I was bitten was do to the same reason as staed above I believe I had rabbit scent on my hands still and that brought on the attack.Fortunately for me she was only 6 feet at the time.Anyway,it only takes one time before you catch on with THAT kind of lesson huh?LOL Atleast,you made out OK and you have an idea of WHY it happened,so hopefully it won't happen again.Good luck to you,and happy herping!

Come on, give us some pics of the wound !!