Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I've had my 10yo 12ft guy since August and he is quite the huffy one. He hisses in his cage a bit when you go to get him out. What really get me is that he's still huffy and hissy even out of his cage. We take him out 2-3 times a week for cleaning and let him crawl around in the backyard. During that time I clean him off, too, and pet him abit. I also sit with him and let him crawl over my lap. He just huffs and blows the whole time. Unfortunately, if we have to move him too soon after eating or close to a shed, he'll toss his coils or try to bump you as well. I've taken him to some events and he's has always been a perfect gentleman. Of course, my family and I always have the two business ends and touching is permitted only in the middle.

Is his huffiness typical of the vocal burmese? Any chance he'll quit?

Hi Laura!

> > > Is his huffiness typical of the vocal burmese? Any chance he'll quit?

Yes, and yes.

You used the keywords for this issue, "vocal burmese." Personally, I think there are 3 different attitudes or personalities with burmese pythons, and pretty much all snakes in general.

1 - Strikers/biters
2 - Hissers/huffers & puffers
3 - Docile/placid

I feel that most fall within one of these categories. Even though they can change categories (behavior), I've mostly seen them change from worst to better and not the other way around.

In other words, if a burmese python hisses a lot, like in your situation, they're most likely just that, a hisser. I don't think I've ever heard of a burmese that was a known hisser to start striking/biting. HOWEVER, the hissing is a warning from them and should be taken seriously, with great caution.

My adult female is just over 3yrs old, 10 - 11ft. She has always been a hisser, much like yours, but, she has never bitten or struck, and I've had her since she was a neonate. I trust her, but I watch her, too.

She doesn't hiss as loud or quite as much as she used to, but she does hiss most of the time I've got her out.

I think the best chance of getting hissers to settle down is from fairly frequent handling that's basically a one-on-one situation (a non-stressful environment with a lot of commotion).

I believe that snakes can be held too often, making for stressful situations for them. Like us, they enjoy their peace & quiet. So I think there's a fine line there.

I hope this helps but keep in mind that this is just my personal opinion and not proven science, as far as I know.

Take care!
Mike
(HH)
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

> > > I think the best chance of getting hissers to settle down is from fairly frequent handling that's basically a one-on-one situation (a non-stressful environment with a lot of commotion).

That should be; "...WITHOUT a lot of commotion."

Sorry!

HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American