Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all I have a new burm and will have owned him 2 weeks as of Saturday. Since I have had him he has eaten 2 rats just fine. I attempted to hold him for the first time on Sunday...I use a cage hook and he was just a hissing away...i got him out and held him...he didnt move...just stared at my face...he then all of a sudden bit me and Urinated EVERYWHERE, on me the carpet etc and it STUNK soo bad....

Is this normal? Will he eventually relax and get out of this?

thanks

How big is your new burm?The reason i ask is because if he/she is of any size then dont under any circumstances let it around your face until you get to know the warning signs.Anything above 4 ft can give you a nasty bite around the face area that would possibly be very painful.I had one just miss my face one time and after that unless i know and trust the animal it doesnt go near my face.I've never personally been bit by anything bigger than 2 ft. but one time towards the face was enough for me to learn to read my animals.As for the urinating,i've had them urinate on me accidentally if they had to go but yours seems more of a defensive approach,or maybe you scared the pee out of him/her lol.Handling sessions with a snake hook or without (whichever you feel more comfortable with) will eventually calm him/her down but realize that not all snakes of any kind WILL tame down,some will always be flighty,nervous,or just plain defensive.Hope that helps. Regards BIll McLeod

He is only a few feet. He is still a baby and I know they can be pissy but I have never had a snake that would Musk. I have a cage hook so that isnt an issue. I will just begin holding him on a daily basis now for a few minutes at a time to get him relaxed and calm with me so he will be fine as he gets older