Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Why is it that my burms get real pissy when they are put on the floor of my room? I can handle them with no problems but once i put them down on the floor its hissing and the ocassional strike. Why is this?

and the snake is way down on the ground. It sees you as a threat, I guess. I ave no problem with mine though.
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Justin

How long have you had em? When I first got my burm I set him on the ground outside for 30 minutes and watched him while I had lunch. When I went to get him he hissed and turned on me. I used a stick to block him while I picked him up. I have heard when they get on the ground they sometimes feel like they are free and get cranky when picked up. It also may have something to do with the way you pick them up. Lotsa variables.
DZ

Ive had them both for a good couple of months now. I take em outside every once adn a while and besides the occaisonal hiss here and there they are fine...but in my room its a different story. I figure its because I do stand taller than them but still wish they were a little nicer. They are so sweet when they are in my hands. Im gonna keep letting um loose in the room to see if they get used to it. They are still relatively small.

Yes, i would keep doing it. It should get used to you being bigger and al eventually. But there are hose stubborn ones that won't learn. The worst thing you can do is to put it back when it gets cranky or pees on you, if it does. It may learn that you will leave it alone when it does this.
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Justin

Also ensure you handle them slowly and gently. I knew a guy who would yank his snakes (ha ha) out of their cages and handled them roughly. They reacted in the same fashion. They bit him all the time and one peed and pooped all over his kitchen. The tail whipped everywhere and feces and urine got into open boxes, he was in the process of moving. I felt bad for the snake but it was funny to see the snake get back at him. The burm I have came from him. I am calm and work him slowly and I have never had any problems except for the one time I mentioned earlier.

Good luck!

DZ

In no way am I mean to my snakes when handling them. I slowly take them out and let them just move through my hands, I dont restrict movement or anything. Fortunately they have never peed on me lol so that must be a good sign. Both just seem to get flighty when put down. Ive never gotten tagged by either of them except for one time by the albino when i first got it...cranky babies lol. Ill keep letting them roam around the room and see what comes of it. Right after posting the snakes sat around the room for a good while and seemed to be a lot more calm than before, so well see how it goes.

Yea, I know what you mean on people just jurking a snake around. Have you been to a show and picked something out for them to bag/cup them and they pull them out and justt throw them in there and sometimes even close the deli cup lid on them? I have had this happen many times and I immediatley tell them do not do that and I do not buy it then. I do not know why they do that. I mean, just think if someone picked you up and started slinging you around and throwing you in a big container or bag when you have no arms or leggs and can't do anything. I saw one guy pick up a burm one time and start doing this and it had enough and tagge him right on the face. It was over 7 feet long and he got what he diserved.
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Justin

Ouch...IM sure he learned his lesson. As for my snakes...i know theyll grow outa their moods. They seem to be doing better already. They really are gentle. Just need to get used to different things i guess.