Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just wondering if anyone had any tips to get over the fear of being bitten AGAIN. I have a 5 foot burm and she bit me for the first time about 3 weeks ago and now I can't get myself to pick her up again. She is in a 7 foot long cage with 2 doors so I can feed her and change her water when she is on the other side of the cage.I tried to just wear gloves but I still can't do it. Any suggestions would be helpful.

IMO the only way to get over it is to just do it. Ignore your fear and then you will get over it once you realize that your snake is not mean, and that it was most likely your fault that it bit you.

I was once bitten by my 14' burm and it takes a while to get over. My suggestion would be to keep a spray bottle with vineger in it. If ya spray the snake on the nose with it they let ya go. And it does work, ive used it. Having that nearby should bolster your confidence. Ya gotta remember it was your fault u got bit, not the snakes.

Working with large burms and owning one I can say that it is most likely your fault in some way that the snake bit you. That's fine, it happens. I have been bitten before too as most people on this board have. Just remember what FEAR stands for: False Evidence Appearing Real. You are afraid the snake will bite again. You just need to get over it. Don't be afraid of the snake as I believe they can sense fear. Just pick him up. Hold him. If he bites, do as the prvious post said about the spray bottle with vinegar.

You need to remember that the snake will do its own thing. Just respect that. Make sure you have no scent of food on you and check the signs of the snake. If it seems a little hissy leave it alone for a while. And if you get bit again, keep at it.

Like they have always said, when you fall off the horse, the only thing to do is get right back on and ride.

Circusfan

Although vinegar can be used in emergency situation when a large constrictor bites and begins constricting, it should NEVER be used during the process of getting a timid burm to learn to trust its owner. That kind of negative reinforcement will NEVER work. Instead, in order to build confidence I would recommend the following:

1) Get some welders gloves and wear them while working with your burm; if it bites, you won't feel anything and you will learn not to jerk back everytime it does strike.

2) In time, once the snake learns that you are not a threat, keep the gloves on but once you have the snake safely in your hands/arms, take one glove off and let the snake just slither through your bare hand. Let the snake get used to your scent.

3) Eventually, you will be able to take both gloves off once the snake is safely in your hands. And, soon after, you will not need the gloves any more. This process could take weeks or months; just be patient.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center

>>I was once bitten by my 14' burm and it takes a while to get over. My suggestion would be to keep a spray bottle with vineger in it. If ya spray the snake on the nose with it they let ya go. And it does work, ive used it. Having that nearby should bolster your confidence. Ya gotta remember it was your fault u got bit, not the snakes.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Another thing that may help... When doing anything with the snake, even sticking a welding gloved arm in to change the water dish, remember to breathe. Deep slow breathing helps calm the human doing it, which in turn helps calms the animal. It's really simple, easy to forget, and animals pick up on it.
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Still searching for 1.0 WC human

The advice by Rob and company is good to follow, but one thing to add that you did not address. Did you use a snake hook to move your snake around? For years I have used the hook to "introduce" myself to the snake to get an idea of their attitude before jumping into the cage. This also causes a conditioned response by reassuring the snake food is coming in nor is it a threat. Hooks, tongs and shields are necessary tools to use with high-strung or aggressive animals, but work equally well with less aggressive animals. Pay attention to what your snake is doing. Using the tools properly will provide all the confidence you need to resume tender care of your snake.

Good luck,
Rich Crowley

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"This also causes a conditioned response by reassuring the snake food is coming in nor is it a threat"---BAD SENTENCE!!!

This should read" This creates a conditioned response by reassuring the snake food is NOT coming nor are you a threat"

Sorry for the bad writing....
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Support your local herp society
www.chicagoherp.org

Rich, I knew what you meant the first time! You made some terrific points and I hope others heed this very good advice. When working with large constrictors there are certain absolutes and I think you hit them right on the head....make good consistent use of proper snake tools.

>>"This also causes a conditioned response by reassuring the snake food is coming in nor is it a threat"---BAD SENTENCE!!!
>>
>>This should read" This creates a conditioned response by reassuring the snake food is NOT coming nor are you a threat"
>>
>>Sorry for the bad writing....
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>>================================
>>Support your local herp society
>>www.chicagoherp.org
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL