New Baby Burm striking and hissing

Hi everyone,

So after much research and consideration I decided to add a baby male Burm to my growing snake collection from a local trusted breeder. I have a few questions and would like to hear your opinions. When I handled the baby initially it let me hold him, but was tense and struck at me twice. After bringing him home and getting him settled in his new environment today, he is continuing to hiss and strike when I open the cage. I have already purchased a snake hook, and will definitely be hook training. The breeder, as well as other burm enthusiasts assured me that with constant handling and hook training, that soon my baby would calm down and not be so nippy. I am just wondering if this nippy and striking behavior is typical of the majority of baby burms, and what else I can do to mediate the behavior. I am dedicated to the health and well being of this snake and want it to have the best interactions with me possible. Thank you for your help.

Josh

baby snakes can be nippy. everything is a predator to them. just keep handling him. he will calm down. make sure you also let him "de-stress". they need time to relax and trust their environment.

be consistant and fearless. he will make a great pet :)

typical baby burm behavior. no worries it will get better

Baby burms can be a touch nippy when get them. I found that with regular handling they will calm down relatively quickly. I had quite a few baby's over the years and I can't think of a single one that didn't tag me at least once. I can also say that I never owned one that just wouldn't calm down. Hook training is a must though. I did have a few that were a little cage aggressive over the years. Just be patient and keep on him, and you should be fine.

I would cover up his cage so he cant see you. And just start hook training now and jandling him daily. If he bites dont put him just keep handling him. It usually does not take them long to calm down. Even when he is calmed down he may still hiss and puff up I have some that were chainsaws and never really calmed down all the way they hiss and act big and bad when I get them out but they dont strike anymore.

My big boy did the same thing. When I got him he was already about 5 feet but super cage aggressive. I just covered him up for about a week to get used to the smell of my dogs and noises in the house. After that I started to stick train him and he calmed down in about two weeks to the point where he doesnt even move towards me when I open the cage. good luck!

This is common behavior for baby burms. Everything is scary to them and the only way to defend themselves is to hiss, puff up and strike. He will calm down over time.

It is also essential that you leave him be for atleast a week. He needs time to get use to his new home and surroundings.