Finally saw the wrath of my burm

RandyRhoads · 04-18-12, 12:12 AM

Rattlesnakes all day long, no problem. Giant python in a feeding response, no thanks, let's not do that again. I couldn't get my burm to eat outside so I tried inside. After she finally killed it and started on the head I tried to get out the door. She instantly let go and started hissing loud as hell and violently striking at me. She is amazingly friendly when not in food mode. She was nice and toasty, fast and mean. I was cornered and I had no way to get to the door, had dropped my hook and all I had to fend her off was a step stool, which wasn't working too well. This is why 2 people are a must, i'm glad I had someone there to help block the strikes while passing me a noose wand to get her under control long enough to get out of the corner and escape. Good lesson learned, always have a second person, and a back up plan. Giant pythons can land you in more trouble than hots....

Still trying to find someone to take my red tail and albino burm for free. I don't need another monster to deal with like that, especially since he's always aggressive.

Trollbie · 04-18-12, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

Rattlesnakes all day long, no problem. Giant python in a feeding response, no thanks, let's not do that again. I couldn't get my burm to eat outside so I tried inside. After she finally killed it and started on the head I tried to get out the door. She instantly let go and started hissing loud as hell and violently striking at me. She is amazingly friendly when not in food mode. She was nice and toasty, fast and mean. I was cornered and I had no way to get to the door, had dropped my hook and all I had to fend her off was a step stool, which wasn't working too well. This is why 2 people are a must, i'm glad I had someone there to help block the strikes while passing me a noose wand to get her under control long enough to get out of the corner and escape. Good lesson learned, always have a second person, and a back up plan. Giant pythons can land you in more trouble than hots....

Still trying to find someone to take my red tail and albino burm for free. I don't need another monster to deal with like that, especially since he's always aggressive.

Is the red tail one that's sick?

shaunyboy · 04-18-12, 06:32 AM

never ceases to amaze me how FAST my friends,12 to 14 ft burm is when in feeding mode,the power he hits the prey with is something else as well

they can't half move for something so large

my mates burm is very vocal as well Randy,he will hiss and hiss,but to date has not struck at anyone

an adult burm has huge amounts of strength mate

cheers shaun

CDN_Blood · 04-18-12, 06:39 AM

Wow. Burmese are not toys, and even the smallest mistake will have big consequences. You have to know what you're doing if you get in to these animals. They demand respect and if you act the fool with them, they're going to teach you a hard lesson, if you survive their teachings, that is.

shaunyboy · 04-18-12, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDN_Blood

Wow. Burmese are not toys, and even the smallest mistake will have big consequences. You have to know what you're doing if you get in to these animals. They demand respect and if you act the fool with them, they're going to teach you a hard lesson, if you survive their teachings, that is.

my mates worked at a local reptile centre,the big burm actually winded him

it struck him in the stomach with a closed mouth (more of a head butt) and if it wasn't for the 2nd keeper dragging my mate out,things may have went real bad for him

i agree with you mate,large snakes,demand large respect imo

cheers shaun

KORBIN5895 · 04-18-12, 07:07 AM

See! That's why I like my boas. I think giants are nice to look at but I just can't see owning one.

Will0W783 · 04-18-12, 07:11 AM

Why was the snake not secured the moment it had struck its food??? You always have to assume that a snake who is eating or has recently fed will be in "feeding mode" and have taken precautions for safety BEFORE food has entered the room. You were lucky this time- you might not be next time.

Trollbie · 04-18-12, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

See! That's why I like my boas. I think giants are nice to look at but I just can't see owning one.

This is how I feel too. And venomous snakes. I admire those who dare to keep animals like these!

Will0W783 · 04-18-12, 10:00 AM

It's a matter of being prepared for the animal, and doing lots and lots of research. I adore my Burm and my retics, but I never work with them unless my fiance is in the room, we have python hooks and tear-proof gloves and they are all fed inside their enclosures- the doors are shut immediately after the snake grabs its prey. I feed all f/t, on the end of long tongs or wrenches in the case of large rabbits. My hots are handled with gloves, hooks, and secure holding cans. I use trap/shift boxes whenever possible.

Giant constrictors can be wonderful captives- my three are very tame and easy to work with, but if I changed the routine they are used to, or frightened them, they could very easily kill me. I know that, and I respect that. Anyone who keeps these snakes must.

Snakefood · 04-18-12, 10:16 AM

sounds like a scary moment there Randy.

That's why I like my corns and B/P's!!

RandyRhoads · 04-18-12, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

Why was the snake not secured the moment it had struck its food??? You always have to assume that a snake who is eating or has recently fed will be in "feeding mode" and have taken precautions for safety BEFORE food has entered the room. You were lucky this time- you might not be next time.

Secured the moment it had struck its food.... Trying to figure that one out...

Sounds like you're saying somehow move it back inside after it struck the prey, but that can't be what you mean...

As I stated in other posts I normally feed outside because a room just isn't big enough for the rolling and wrapping. She has been refusing outside so I went back to inside, and this time I just ended up on the wrong side with her between me and the door. I did assume she would be in feeding mode, but I have never seen her stop ingesting her food and turn like that. I was prepared, had a plan and used it. Thist is just the first time I HAD TO. All the other times i've waited to have someone go with me when feeding and handling "just in case" always seemed kind of stupid because there was never even a hint of anything like that happening. Now i'm glad I did have a backup person and plan, and see the importance of never attemping that alone.

Snakefood · 04-18-12, 11:13 AM

I wonder if you had stayed still till she had the meal halfway down if that would have made the difference????

Like I said, I know nothing about the giants!! but maybe if she had a mouthfull, you could have slipped out without incident.

Norm66 · 04-18-12, 11:14 AM

So do I understand that you take your burm outside to feed? Like, all the way out of the house and into the backyard outside? That could be cool, but dealing with a burm still in feed mode doesn't sound like any fun. Same deal with just doing it in your reptile room. Why not just feed in his enclosure?

RandyRhoads · 04-18-12, 11:22 AM

Snakefood- She had already gotten it part way down, that's why it was such a shock.

Norm- After feeding her outside of her enclosure I never feel like it would be large enough for the chaos, and worry about the glass doors somehow getting broken in the scuffle. When I feed her outside i'm normally out there for hours reading or something and she cools off before I bring her in. And when I do, I am extremely carefull and alert for her to turn. Using two people in case she does.

Snakefood · 04-18-12, 11:25 AM

OK, I guess that would be a shock then!!