Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So, it was kinda of a nice night out here, so as I have done before I took my burm outside to stretch out in the grass. Well, she was out there for a little bit and I went to grab her to move her, and she freaks out. I have never seen this snake move so fast, so I am trying to wrestle with this 11 footer to clam her down. She did not Hiss or snap, just tried to make a break, but she did let off that oder when I was wrestling her, or pulling her towards me. Good news is she calmed down as soon as I git her in the air. Any ideas why she put it in 5th.
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0.1 Rott
1.0 Super Tiger
0.1 Green Burm
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python

There's just something about fresh air, a little sun and freedom that brings out the worst (or best depending on how you look at it) in pet reptiles. We notice dramatic behavioral changes when our monitors are outside for just a short time...they are puppy tame when indoors but 10 minutes outdoors, and they become little T-Rex's; makes you wonder if there are certain things that are sorely missing in a captive environment. I have noticed the same thing with burms; some stay very calm outdoors while others, without provocation, go balistic. That's why I really don't advocate allowing large reptiles loose, even under close supervision, unless it is in a refined area where there is no way the animal can get away. Of course if you burm normally stays very calm outdoors, it may have just gotten a whiff that put it in full flight mode.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
City of Lake Forest, IL
>>So, it was kinda of a nice night out here, so as I have done before I took my burm outside to stretch out in the grass. Well, she was out there for a little bit and I went to grab her to move her, and she freaks out. I have never seen this snake move so fast, so I am trying to wrestle with this 11 footer to clam her down. She did not Hiss or snap, just tried to make a break, but she did let off that oder when I was wrestling her, or pulling her towards me. Good news is she calmed down as soon as I git her in the air. Any ideas why she put it in 5th.
>>-----
>>0.1 Rott
>>1.0 Super Tiger
>>0.1 Green Burm
>>0.1 Ball Python
>>0.1 Red Tail
>>0.1 Blood Python
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

>makes you wonder if there are certain things that are sorely missing in a captive environment.<

LOL. Rob I think it's the "fresh air and sunshine and the freedom" that they miss .It's difficult, to say the least, to mimic that in captivity unless your captives are housed out of doors. Although large snakes do have the 'sit and wait' attitude towards getting food, they still travel some distance, at times, to get to the place that they wait for lunch. And I'm quite sure they move from one place to another to better their chances. JMO, but I believe all wild animals have that deep in their make up. Even dogs and cats, although extremely domesticated, will go into hunt mode, feel better and get a little spunkier when they are outside. It's an instinctual thing that probably never leaves. I find with my reptiles........ if not startled, and handled gently, they don't react quite as violently as when you snatch em up off where ever they are. Just the opinion of an ol' man who's spent much time observing the actions and reactions of many animals, wild and captive, over the course of many years.

Quig

I take my burm out frequently and sit with him in the grass. I've noticed it depends on the amount of time I go without actually touching him. Usually he moves slowly like they normally do but if I don't touch him for awhile I always start at the tip of the tail and just place my hand on him to let him know I'm still there. If I get no reaction I move up and gently pick him up. If I get a reaction I just use a hook until he calms down which is right away. When outside he usually heads for the ground cover around my flower beds. He likes laying in it. I make sure I go there first so there's no little furry surprises.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

I think its definitely the fresh air, direct sunlight and new open space that must cause them to become restless or try to get away. Maybe being out in nature triggers their hard wired survival instincts and they begin to see us as potential predators and try to evade us when we try to grab them to bring them back in. Certainly makes sense. I know my burm does this. It used to be easy when he was small, but now at 11 feet he is certainly somewhat of a challenge to get back in the house once he starts going crazy.

>>So, it was kinda of a nice night out here, so as I have done before I took my burm outside to stretch out in the grass. Well, she was out there for a little bit and I went to grab her to move her, and she freaks out. I have never seen this snake move so fast, so I am trying to wrestle with this 11 footer to clam her down. She did not Hiss or snap, just tried to make a break, but she did let off that oder when I was wrestling her, or pulling her towards me. Good news is she calmed down as soon as I git her in the air. Any ideas why she put it in 5th.
>>-----
>>0.1 Rott
>>1.0 Super Tiger
>>0.1 Green Burm
>>0.1 Ball Python
>>0.1 Red Tail
>>0.1 Blood Python