Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I dont keep burms but i was reading a book (The guide to owning burmese pythons)by john coborn. In it he claims that you should never look a tame python in the eyes or it will initiate a bite. I have never heard this. The only python i have kept is a ball. I have a dumerils boa and a bunch of colubrids also. ive never stared a snake down but im pretty sure ive made eye contact without consequence. who here has had experience with this?

I got my first Burmese Python 35 years ago. I've made eye contact with many burms over the years - never inducing a strike.

Eye contact, in animals & humans, alike, can be a significant event. However, there are a lot of factors in play.

I don't make it a habit to get face-to-face with a half-cocked, uneasy snake and look in its eyes. But, if a Burmese Python is obviously comfortable with its surroundings and used to seein' my ugly mug, we can wink at each other all night long.

To make eye contact is one thing; to force continual eye contact is another.

Have a good one!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

The only burm I have is about 6 feet long, and was born without eyes...and has still managed to bite me on a couple of occassions when it was little...I hope it didn't sense I was looking at where his eyes should've been!!!

Haha...now that is interesting...poor snake. Was it an albino?

I always stare my boas in the eyes...maybe one day they'll get me. The only burmese I've owned was mean and short lived..so no time to stare at his eyes! No feedback there!