Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was reading a few days back in the posts since I haven't been on for awhile due to moving. A post about a guy trying to sell his burm and being asked not to sell it because it's too "dangerous" caught me eye. I have three burms, all raised by me and my boyfriend. Neither of us has been bitten and they rarely hiss anymore during their daily handling. I'm wondering, though I know it was probably another snake-phobic person who said that, what your burms temperments are like. I really don't believe mine are the exception. So please tell me about your burms because I'd really like to print out any replies and hold on to them for the next time someone comes to purchase a snake off me and tells me I should get rid of my burms before my baby is born or some other stupid comment of the like. I also don't want to hear any comments from people who think I should get rid of my burms because of the baby. I'm building larger and more secure cages at the house as well as keeping them in a locked "snake-room". Any other replies are appreciated.
Sera
S and M Reptiles

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3.7 ball pythons (5 normal, 2 het axanthic, lemon, blush, reduced)
1.2 king snakes (1 chocolate, 2 albino)
1.2 colombian red tail boas
1.1 pueblan milksnakes
2.2 african house snakes
2.0 striped albino gophers
1.2 burmese pythons (1 albino, 2 hets)
1.1 southern copperheads
1.1 dumeril's boas
2.3 corns (miami, okatee, caramel, 2 creamsicle)
1.1 jungle corns
0.2 ferrets
0.2 degus
1.1 rats
1.0 lab/beagle puppy
0.1 lab/boxer puppy
1.0 parakeet
0.0.1 yellow-tailed damsel
0.0.1 blue damsel
0.0.1 green chromis
0.0.1 mandarin
0.0.1 snowflake eel
0.0.1 blue legged crab
0.0.1 human on the way (believed to be a girl)

mine has never bit or struck..and has been perfect since day one

Jason

I believe most burms taken well care of in captivity are extremely docile non-aggresive snakes. When these snakes fall into the hands of beginner herpers who have no idea what they are in for, comes the bad reputation of the burm. This snake is so popular in the herp world, they are becoming a problem to Florida's ecosystem. This is all due to the fact that people have no idea how BIG their little baby is going to get, so they do the easiest thing, let them go. I have 2 burms, one 11 ft 6 year old adoption, and an 8 ft yearling, to this day I have not been bitten by either. Since I'm done talking, in the end I agree the Burmese python is a docile snake.

I have to agree with Savvgawd about the handling. I've even seen it with my own snake. I pulled him out one time and he got real jumpy and I got nervous. Usually when I pull him out I'm real calm but today was different. Once I realized, I calmed down and so did he, almost instantly. I've always handled him very gently and slow. On the other hand, the guy I got him from always handled his rough. I recall a time he said, watch, he's gonna bite me. Sure nuf, it did. He was very quick and jerky with his snakes and the only one that didn't flail around when picked up was his obese burm. Kinda hard to throw around 45 pounds of muscle. (well, for some - j/k) Mines never bit me and I don't intend on ever giving him a reason/chance.
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DZ
1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo RIP Oct 23
Lotsa fish
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

i would have to agree for the most part. i feel that most snakes espeicially burms and boas if handled properly and 'socialized' will not be dangerous under normal circumstances. i do however also belive that a snake which is raised with minimal to no human interation will however be more inclined to see humans as a threat and act with natural or wild disposition. this is not saying that an improperly socilized snake can not become tollerant to human interaction with some work. the problem with the whole situation is that snakes are not a mainstream pet and most people are not very knowledgeable on them or the best way to interact with them which is the cause for most all bites. i feel that all bites are due to neglagence or ignorance on the part of the human. the downside is that 'dangerous incounters' with snakes such as burms do not really happen very often and when they do it is made into a big deal. in the end i feel most all burms with even moderate human interaction on a regular basis are not dangerous, but that is not to say that the proper precautions should not be taken when interacting with them, especially if all are not experienced with their behavior. burms are not for everyone but with knowledge understanding and some experience (i would consider raising a snake to be plenty enough) they should not be considered dangerous. that is my opinion.
j

My burm is very gentle, although he can be rather hissy when he doesnt want to be bothered. I've only been bitten once by him, and it was my fault, a feeding related accedent. Even though most are gentle, they do need respect. One may be the tamest snake even, but it still has to be thought of as a wild animal.
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0.1.0 Columbian boa constrictor
1.0.0 Albino burmese python
1.0.0 Pine/bull snake hybrid
0.1.0 Ball python
3.0.0 Cornsnake (anerythristic, snow, normal)
0.0.1 Cali kingsnake
0.0.1 Rainwater albino leopard gecko
1.0.0 Tokay gecko
1.0.0 Bahama anole
0.0.1 Red eared slider
1.4.0 Cat
4.3.0 Bird
1.0.0 Dog