Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Quick question. I have a baby male bum, about 2 months old. I have had it for about 3 weeks. It has ate 3 times, shed and seems to be healthy. I have one problem. Every time I go to pick it up, it will hiss, or take a snap at me. I don't mind getting bit by a baby, but is there anything I can do to calm him down? Is it because he is not use to his enviornment yet?

thanks

mike

Mike,

Baby burms are notoriously snappy. That's just the way most of them are. Give him time and regular handling and he will likely calm right down. This is an important time - handle him now, when it's not such a big deal to get tagged... as opposed to when he's full grown - that would be a very BIG deal.

Try to keep in mind that for him the whole world is new, anything could be a threat - and he's hungry; very hungry. Little burms grow quickly; so he's going to want a lot of food to keep him full and happy. Of course, try to be sure not to overfeed him. Most burms will happily take more than enough food - becoming obese and lazy.

Good luck with him,
- Mark
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I think Antegy pretty much covered the bases with his/her post. I'd also like to add that I find baby burms calm down more quickly if they are handled for longer periods of time, instead of short amounts. It seems the longer they are out, the more time they have to get passed the initial freaking point and start to roam and be the curious little snakes they are. Sometimes, by doing only short amounts of time, the babies never make it out of their initial stage of being scared and are more apt to take longer bouts with being nippy.

Overall, I'm glad you're trying to handle this early. It's the best time. As stated above, I'd try working the snake up to at least 30 minutes out of the cage a day. The key is to find a length of time that allows that trusting bond to be built..without stressing the snake/you out too much. Good luck. Thanks for the post.

Sam

The others nailed everything but I believe they ommited one key statement. When and if you get tagged by the little guy do not put him back into his enclosure. keep handling him. If you get tagged and immediately put him back in then he might become conditioned to this and know that if he doesn't want to be messed with all he has to do is bite , and he will get put back up. Just calm and patient handling will make the snake come around in no time. Todd

I'll concur with the others here. My last burm was snappy all of one day, then settled down.
Only to pee all over me at the next handling session.
I think I would have rather been bitten!!
Man does that stink!!
Just follow everyone's advice, and your baby will come along just fine.
And I also agree with the statement about curiousity.
My burms,hell, all my snakes love being out just to explore.
Once past the hissy part, they all enjoy getting out. Except Snowflake my albino burm.
He does'nt hiss. he just comes right on out, and goes right back in when I hold him near the cage.
Good Luck!

All great advice one more sugestion:
some times a snake even a small one striking at you is freaky and can cause one to be a little jerky or rough when handling.I my self get jumpy with snappy baby boids,while large colubrids biting me dosen't bug me at all,go figure.What i do is wear dish washing gloves.These are thin enough to allow a delicate touch while serving to make my hands register as cooler and giving me that extra confidence which goes along way in calming the scared baby snake(they are not mean only scared.)Good luck ,taming a snappy snake is one of the most rewarding experiences i know of.

Snyder,
I have to say that you've gotten some great advice from contributors of this forum. Good luck with your little guy/gal. They're sure to calm down with a bit of persistance on your part. Let us know how things go!

Sam

Great advice from everyone, thanks. I'm so glad I found this forum.

Mike