when do you know you're ready for a Burm?

[ErikBush97]

Hi. I'm super into Burmese Pythons, and I was wondering when you know you're ready to keep one? If I were to get one, I'd have a cage ready for her (I have someone willing to make a 10' x 4' x 4' enclosure, and 3-4 of the 10 feet would be a hole with a removable pool in it)
I'd have that enclosure and a few months worth of food available before I bought the Burm.
I have someone to help handle the snake once it grows a bit. Thanks for any feedback

[slowhite03]

There really isn't proper way to know. If you've done your research and are confident you can handle it when it gets bigger then that's all you can really do. That goes for any snake really, but Burms are on the more I better make sure before I get this kind of snake.

[ErikBush97]

There really isn't proper way to know. If you've done your research and are confident you can handle it when it gets bigger then that's all you can really do. That goes for any snake really, but Burms are on the more I better make sure before I get this kind of snake.

Well the breeder who sold me my Pastel Salmon BCI let me see all his snakes, and his facility. All of them are taken GREAT care of and I'm confident that the one I get from him (in the future) will be healthy, and happy. I am also confident that I can care for one, and handle one (with a few people there for safety, of course). I would need to do research on them first, but I just wanted to know when people here decided they were ready for one. I have five, going on six snakes, and I've handled Burms from baby to adult before so I think I'll be good on handling. Thank you very much for the advice.

[dave himself]

As said mate there's no real way of knowing when your ready for a burm. But it sounds to me that apart from doing your research you've covered all the bases. One thing I will say is get a baby that way you can grow in confidence in your handling as our burm grows

[exwizard]

That last point is soo important. I got Medusa as a yearling last year as my first Burm. She was only 3' long then and not very sociable. However since then her temperament has mellowed out a lot as her size has grown so much. I handled her a lot while she was still small. Now that she's much bigger, she also is a lot friendlier and much more handleable. Poseidon, my current yearling, I got last year as a hatchling and he has always been as chill as can be. Venus, my April hatchling has also always been chill but with Mars, my July hatchling, he was bitey and feisty when I first got him but he's totally chill now. The last thing you want is an angry "bring it on!" adult Burm. That's why regular handling when they are little is so important.

[ErikBush97]

That last point is soo important. I got Medusa as a yearling last year as my first Burm. She was only 3' long then and not very sociable. However since then her temperament has mellowed out a lot as her size has grown so much. I handled her a lot while she was still small. Now that she's much bigger, she also is a lot friendlier and much more handleable. Poseidon, my current yearling, I got last year as a hatchling and he has always been as chill as can be. Venus, my April hatchling has also always been chill but with Mars, my July hatchling, he was bitey and feisty when I first got him but he's totally chill now. The last thing you want is an angry "bring it on!" adult Burm. That's why regular handling when they are little is so important.

Thanks, man. I appreciate it a lot. There's still a lot to think about before I decide to get one or not. I'm probably going to spend a few months studying, deciding whether or not to get one, and then i'll PERFECT the setup, and then contact the breeder I know.

[Starbuck]

Im not sure how old op is, but you really need to be planning years ahead for a giant like a burm. If uou could possibly be moving out of state in the next 15+ years (for college, job, family etc), you'll need to have someone willing to take an adult burm, since they cannot be legally transported across state lines. Maybe the breeder would take it back for you? Not trying tonbe discouraging, just trying to play devils advocate...
Tbh I wouldn't recommend a giant like that for most keepers, especially with laws limiting where you live, whether you can get insurance, etc etc.

Also, a 3-4 foot tub full of water is going to be extremely heavy and messy, you might consider a drain in the bottom that would empty into a bucket for easier cleaning.

[ErikBush97]

Im not sure how old op is, but you really need to be planning years ahead for a giant like a burm. If uou could possibly be moving out of state in the next 15+ years (for college, job, family etc), you'll need to have someone willing to take an adult burm, since they cannot be legally transported across state lines. Maybe the breeder would take it back for you? Not trying tonbe discouraging, just trying to play devils advocate...
Tbh I wouldn't recommend a giant like that for most keepers, especially with laws limiting where you live, whether you can get insurance, etc etc.

Also, a 3-4 foot tub full of water is going to be extremely heavy and messy, you might consider a drain in the bottom that would empty into a bucket for easier cleaning.

I do not feel discouraged. I actually really appreciate it, Starbuck. I hadn't thought about going out of state. I do believe that the breeder would hold onto her if I went out of state.
My family also would. (Meaning my Mom or my Brother whom are both very fond of my snakes)

[Starbuck]

I can't comment on anyone else's experiemce levels (yours included), butni can't imagine ever being in a.place where I could.commitnto a burmese for at least another 10 years, amd that's if I even want one then (I don't particularly want.one.now). I would make sure you have a lenthy conversation with your mom and brother tonmake sure they are ok with potwntially caring for this snake and all of those implications. If you are not prepared to decline a job offer or sacrifice an apartment lease because they won't allow giamts, then I think you should hold off. At that point, you are saddling someone else with the birden of caring for a snake they didn't plan to have, and a burm is NOT the same as a corn or bpor bci. My point is that if you do decide to get a burm, you are making a commitment to that animal for the duration of its life, at your financial expense, freedom to move, etc etc.

Please excuse the terrible typing, my computer is in the shop and I'm on my not so smartphone

[ErikBush97]

I can't comment on anyone else's experiemce levels (yours included), butni can't imagine ever being in a.place where I could.commitnto a burmese for at least another 10 years, amd that's if I even want one then (I don't particularly want.one.now). I would make sure you have a lenthy conversation with your mom and brother tonmake sure they are ok with potwntially caring for this snake and all of those implications. If you are not prepared to decline a job offer or sacrifice an apartment lease because they won't allow giamts, then I think you should hold off. At that point, you are saddling someone else with the birden of caring for a snake they didn't plan to have, and a burm is NOT the same as a corn or bpor bci. My point is that if you do decide to get a burm, you are making a commitment to that animal for the duration of its life, at your financial expense, freedom to move, etc etc.

Please excuse the terrible typing, my computer is in the shop and I'm on my not so smartphone
Thanks, again. Like I said.. There's tons that I need to think about and consider before I even think about getting one so it will be quite awhile before my mind is even made.

[shaunyboy]

if possible you should get another keeper to let you handle larger snakes and see how you feel.....

it's only Carpets i keep and they are a reasonable size,with agressive feeding responses...

it did not stopping me having some fear when my friend gave me his 14ft burm to handle...

it was a large and very powerful snake and to be honest i did not feel comfortable being left on my own with such a powerful snake...

until you actually handle one you don't get a grasp of how much power they possess

my friend was head butted with a closed mouth from his burm in the stomach,it took the wind out him and dropped him to the floor

i'm not trying to scare you,i am merely pointing out these snakes have a lot of power mate

cheers shaun

P.S.Burm hatchlings get big fast

[nyx]

Hi. I'm super into Burmese Pythons, and I was wondering when you know you're ready to keep one?

When you're a legal adult who owns their own home.

[marvelfreak]

Fine some one with a 12 plus foot Retic, Burmese or Anaconda then try clean it cage with the snake in it or move it to another cage while cleaning. Do this by yourself. Have them there just in case but do it without help. The reason i say do it without help is because if you get one the time will come when no one will be there to help and you'll try doing yourself. And it will end bad or you'll get lucky and it will be ok. Remember if they have a bad day so don't you.

[DeesBalls]

I've been on this subject alot latley, i mostlly keep ball pythons, so its going to be like night and day for me..... but i have done my research, and thought about it alot, and ive decided to get one... here is why, other than because of how much i like them...


1. i never plan to move out of Ohio
2. i have a wife who is willing to help me when he is bigger, also a daughter i HOPE will share my love for animals, and snakes...
3. my parents can also help me, if my wife is out of town...
4. my family breeds rabbits, so i can get free food
5. Ive done my research, and know what i am up against- you can read all the books you want, but like previously mentioned, until you handle a 15 foot snake or so, you dont know what your dealing with, and i have had the privilege of handling one...

knowledge is power, and experience is key- try and get an opportunity to handle one, so you can see what your going to be dealing with.

hope this helped

[exwizard]

I agree, being a legal adult is important considering the size they get and yes, owning your own home makes it easier to keep whatever you want without anyone else's restrictions. That said, I rent a room with all my snakes in my room. They are all comfortable and warm including 4 young Burms. I do have enclosure upgrade plans for each of them. All that said, owning your own home is not necessarily a prerequisite to owning Burms. It depends on the individual as well as the circumstances. Yes the OP is young and he has lots of time to think everything through and have a plan of his own. I see him asking serious questions that deserve serious answers as I see them being answered here. He needs to continue asking questions and continue his research and when the time is right, and he has the resources necessary to take care of such powerful animals, he will know.

To the OP. Burms are a challenge to keep and take care of, with the feed bill and enclosure costs to have the potential of being quite expensive. I certainly would not dive into this without those resources and a housing plan for them. Burms can live over 20 years and grow to potentially 16'+ and well over 100 lbs. That's a big responsibility and one that should never be taken lightly.

[ErikBush97]

I agree, being a legal adult is important considering the size they get and yes, owning your own home makes it easier to keep whatever you want without anyone else's restrictions. That said, I rent a room with all my snakes in my room. They are all comfortable and warm including 4 young Burms. I do have enclosure upgrade plans for each of them. All that said, owning your own home is not necessarily a prerequisite to owning Burms. It depends on the individual as well as the circumstances. Yes the OP is young and he has lots of time to think everything through and have a plan of his own. I see him asking serious questions that deserve serious answers as I see them being answered here. He needs to continue asking questions and continue his research and when the time is right, and he has the resources necessary to take care of such powerful animals, he will know.

To the OP. Burms are a challenge to keep and take care of, with the feed bill and enclosure costs to have the potential of being quite expensive. I certainly would not dive into this without those resources and a housing plan for them. Burms can live over 20 years and grow to potentially 16'+ and well over 100 lbs. That's a big responsibility and one that should never be taken lightly.
Thank you, Exwizard. I appreciate it. I have been lucky enough to handle some Burms from sizes baby to adult and it's undeniably a very powerful animal. I do know also that it is expensive to feed and house a Burmese Python. If I do end up buying a Burmese Python, I will have an enclosure and a few months worth of food ready to go. I am still just trying to figure out whether or not I want one. They're beautiful, amazing animals that I've loved since I've seen them, but it's a big responsibility and if I mess up, me and the entire reptile community could suffer from it.

[exwizard]

I'm glad you realize that. That's half the battle. :) Now the more challenging part is following through with the necessary steps to be a responsible owner, if that is what you want. :)

[metalcopper]

I got my first burm when I was a senior in high school. I knew what I was getting in to, I was going to the local herp society meetings, and had some friends who were also getting into Burms; we all helped each other with handling them when they got big. If you think you're really interested in getting one, I say get one, you will adapt in your life as to where you live and you will learn as you go too. There are plenty of people on this site that keep them and Retic's that will help you. It sounds like you already know what you're getting in to, and have a lot of the initial planning worked out. Just respect the snake from the beginning, and you will soon be a burm junkie!

[ErikBush97]

I got my first burm when I was a senior in high school. I knew what I was getting in to, I was going to the local herp society meetings, and had some friends who were also getting into Burms; we all helped each other with handling them when they got big. If you think you're really interested in getting one, I say get one, you will adapt in your life as to where you live and you will learn as you go too. There are plenty of people on this site that keep them and Retic's that will help you. It sounds like you already know what you're getting in to, and have a lot of the initial planning worked out. Just respect the snake from the beginning, and you will soon be a burm junkie!

Thanks :) I still need to figure out an enclosure and buy some food, do all my research, and then I'll contact the Breeder I know. Does anyone know if $300 for an Albino Burm is a good price?

[ErikBush97]

I got my first burm when I was a senior in high school. I knew what I was getting in to, I was going to the local herp society meetings, and had some friends who were also getting into Burms; we all helped each other with handling them when they got big. If you think you're really interested in getting one, I say get one, you will adapt in your life as to where you live and you will learn as you go too. There are plenty of people on this site that keep them and Retic's that will help you. It sounds like you already know what you're getting in to, and have a lot of the initial planning worked out. Just respect the snake from the beginning, and you will soon be a burm junkie!

Thanks :) I still need to figure out an enclosure and buy some food, do all my research, and then I'll contact the Breeder I know. Does anyone know if $300 for an Albino Burm is a good price?

[Mikoh4792]

I just did a quick look up on KS. I've seen them go for $75, $200, and $1000. What's going on?

[Terranaut]

I hate to be the downer here but considering how many animals you have considered in the last few months and the rate at which you change your mind....you are not ready for anything like that yet. Sorry but stop and think a second. Do you know where you will be and what you will be doing even 2 yrs from now? These animals are a big commitment. I have no doubt your live of the animal is there but imagine all of your animals as adults 5 years from now. Price out a month af feeding them with the prey sizes they will eat then. This can be a sobering thought to those who aquire to much to fast. I would seriously consider enjoying what you have now for a while and then re-evaluate your situation. If then a burm looks ok....get one but if not you will be happy you didn't. Snakes are like meeting a new women. You will be willing to put up with a bit of crap to get into her pants, but afyer a few times you may realize that women is not for you. Sometimes people turff this hobbie after a couple years because they have a change of heart. Best to wait a bit to find out before getting married to just lose your shirt in the divorce...understand? No ill will here but look at the long term from another point of view.

[Mikoh4792]

I hate to be the downer here but considering how many animals you have considered in the last few months and the rate at which you change your mind....you are not ready for anything like that yet. Sorry but stop and think a second. Do you know where you will be and what you will be doing even 2 yrs from now? These animals are a big commitment. I have no doubt your live of the animal is there but imagine all of your animals as adults 5 years from now. Price out a month af feeding them with the prey sizes they will eat then. This can be a sobering thought to those who aquire to much to fast. I would seriously consider enjoying what you have now for a while and then re-evaluate your situation. If then a burm looks ok....get one but if not you will be happy you didn't. Snakes are like meeting a new women. You will be willing to put up with a bit of crap to get into her pants, but afyer a few times you may realize that women is not for you. Sometimes people turff this hobbie after a couple years because they have a change of heart. Best to wait a bit to find out before getting married to just lose your shirt in the divorce...understand? No ill will here but look at the long term from another point of view.

Some solid advice here. And good analogies lol.

[ErikBush97]

I hate to be the downer here but considering how many animals you have considered in the last few months and the rate at which you change your mind....you are not ready for anything like that yet. Sorry but stop and think a second. Do you know where you will be and what you will be doing even 2 yrs from now? These animals are a big commitment. I have no doubt your live of the animal is there but imagine all of your animals as adults 5 years from now. Price out a month af feeding them with the prey sizes they will eat then. This can be a sobering thought to those who aquire to much to fast. I would seriously consider enjoying what you have now for a while and then re-evaluate your situation. If then a burm looks ok....get one but if not you will be happy you didn't. Snakes are like meeting a new women. You will be willing to put up with a bit of crap to get into her pants, but afyer a few times you may realize that women is not for you. Sometimes people turff this hobbie after a couple years because they have a change of heart. Best to wait a bit to find out before getting married to just lose your shirt in the divorce...understand? No ill will here but look at the long term from another point of view.

Thank you, Terranaut! that was enough for me to wait it out. Really good advice and good points. :) Thank you! :)

[Sublimeballs]

. Snakes are like meeting a new women. You will be willing to put up with a bit of crap to get into her pants, but afyer a few times you may realize that women is not for you.

Hahaha, best analogy I've heard in awhile.