Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today I acquired my first hatchling, and burmese, ever. She just hatched this weekend. She hasn't even gone through her first shed yet. She is quite the little pistol, too. She strikes at me when I'm five feet away. I have to be extremely careful when I get her out of her enclosure. I don't want her to bite me because I don't want her to damage her teeth. How long does it usually take for a baby to stop displaying this defensive behavior? What are the best things to do to make her feel most comfortable being handled? My other snake, which is a boa, was very young when I ordered her, but she was as sweet as she could be the moment I received her. I'm just in the dark. Anyone have any pearls of wisdom??

Just give it some time. I would work with it about 15-20 min every other day. As far as how long it will take, it just depends on the snake. But good luck.
-----
1.0 Albino Green Burm
0.2 Normal Burm
1.1 Java Retic

Well I personally have never worked with a burm hatchling. All mine were a bit older when I got them. As for the biting. Try wearing a long sleeve shirt and gloves at first and if he does tag you dont pull away, thats really the only way hes going to hurt his teeth is by the force of you pulling away while they are still in you. It sucks having to sit there while his teeth are in your flesh but I had to do it before with a baby burm and an insane little rock python who taged me like 5 times within 5 seconds. If your wearing some pertection and you dont pull away or put him back after he bited you, I believe he will get the idea that biting doesnt work. Dont put him close to your face either that wouldnt be fun, good luck hope anything i said helps.