Burmese biting for unknown reason

[lambert]

I'm just curious on why my Burm, who is handled all the time, bit someone out of the blue today for no real apparent reason. He had been fed just three days ago, there wasn't anything that I can think of that startled him. He didn't pull back and strike, just like he normally does, because he is 6 feet long, moves from person to person, and just no strike, bit my friend. He has never done this before and it is really out of character for him!! Any clues or ideas, aside from the normal, "he's a snake, and snakes bite"??? :confused:

[stephanbakir]

Snakes don't generally bite out of the blue for no reason. Did your friend handle meat and not wash before holding the snake? Any pets? etc.

[TeaNinja]

that's a good call, if he smelled like something delicious, that could have triggered a feeding response. burms and retics have SAVAGE feeding responses.

also could he be going into blue or something? sometimes when snakes are nearing a shed they don't like to be handled.

[lambert]

I had asked him about handling any meats, or animals before, and he didn't seem to think so. And I don't think he's going into blue, his eyes aren't shaded over. It was just really odd. Zebra is just almost three years of age and almost 6 feet long, and he has never struck at anyone, aside from me when i'm opening the lid to feed he will come up and not really strike but let me know he's ready to eat. Just really out of character for him, and I couldn't think of anything else, so I though I would ask for some other snake lovers ideas. I have had larger snakes then him before, so he doesn't scare me, but now I'm a bit concerned because I do have a 4 year old in the home who loves the snakes and has grown up with them (I have three snakes total, two are berm's both about 6 feet). Then a Ball who is about 4 feet. Now I would have expected it from my albino Berm, she is a ornery bugger, although she hasn't bit anyone, just made some threats. Thanks for the feed back. I really appreciate it!!

[blindfireak40]

So what you're saying is, he sorta just opened his mouth and then closed it on your friend?

If so, it's odd but not unheard of. Someone on here mentioned a kingsnake doing that with their finger, and I have a friend with a Woma python who tends to do that with people's hands. In both cases, no feeding response is involved, the snake is apparently just "Struck with the idea", if you'll pardon the pun.

[stephanbakir]

So what you're saying is, he sorta just opened his mouth and then closed it on your friend?

Blindfreak! you gave me an idea... What if it was yawning?:P

To the OP when I do reptile shows I have a simple rule that you can follow that will solve most potential problems. Keep children away from the biting end, simply hold the snake in such a way that the head is never anywhere near them.

[Lankyrob]

I always have our snakes heads pointing at me when we do displays - if anyone is going to get bit i definitely want it to be me not the children that i am trying to educate that snakes arent dangerous too!!

[stephanbakir]

If all else fails you have those plates and rats hanging from your belt anyway:P

[Coffee Black]

Who was handling him? I've had snakes with great temperaments bite others for no apparent reason. It could be due to unfamiliarity or some such. My small carpet has yet to bite me but has bitten my fiance twice ha. I believe it is because she is still learning how to properly hold/support a snake and if the animal doesn't feel supported or safe it will lash out out. This is only a guess, however. I am no animal behaviorist.

[Lankyrob]

Has this person been around snakes before? Some people do seem to get more bites than others - whether its how they handle, pheromones, how they move, how they smell - i dont know.

My JCP is fine with me out of his viv but strikes if i put my hand in the viv - my wife can get him out with no issues whatsoever.

[lambert]

No we have never had any problems with our kids getting bit by any of our snakes. Nor have any of us, my husband or I, be bit by our snakes. There were 4 of us standing in a circle next to their tank, and he wanted out, so I let him out and he went from me to the next person and so on and so on, back to me then just bit the guy next to me. I just found it out of character for him, and he gave no warning. So I was just looking for some other ideas. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I hope they keep coming!!

[stephanbakir]

Might just have spooked him. Unless it repeats itself i wouldn't worry