Burm questions

[Smilts]

I have been keeping snakes for a year now only rat and gopher snakes no boids. Ive found a Burm that has caught my eye and is very gentle also very young. well im getting it for christmas but wanted to do all the research i could. i thought i would ask the people in here for any extra advice that you cant get out of care sheets. any advice would be appreciated. Like i know they get real big but just how big i dont know for shure? :grab:

[Edwin]

http://www.bobclark.com/aAN_98.asp
http://www.anapsid.org/burm.html

In my opinion, burms tend to be very docile snakes, almost like rolled up pieces of carpet. But it is this very docility that causes people to underestimate them, as they can move surprisingly fast when they want to. Burms are very easy to care for and are forgiving if your husbandry practices are less than perfect.

Males grow smaller than females, males grow to around 11'-12', and females can grow up to 18'. I recommend you check out a fully grown specimen before making a decision. Also, look for a consistent source of rabbits and rats.

Hope this helps.

[Aaron_S]

Do you have the room to house such a snake? A burm will not be like your gophers or rat snakes. It will easily grow up to 8 feet in it's first year if fed properly. You will be paying out quite a hefty food bill aswell. They don't just eat one small rat a week. You are looking at rabbits in a year! Do you also have 2 other people to help you feed and clean the enclosure? You will need someother help while moving such a large snake and be around just in case something goes wrong.

I would rethink your decision. I do not think you are ready for such a commitment. You impulse bought this snake for x-mas cause it was docile and tame and you didn't research BEFORE! Which is the most important thing to do. Why don't you get a large boa constrictor first? See how it is to handle something other then ratsnakes.

[Smilts]

I havent baught the snake yet im researching before buying im not shure if im ready for it yet. although i have a 4x2x2 enclosure that is emty.

[Smilts]

Thanks for the advice guys it all helps

[dlucka]

4x2x2 will be a small enclosure very soon, you will have to look for a 8x4 floor
space. I have one that get to 12 feet in 2.5 year around 50 pound. Yes they are friendly snake and you'll need to have a person to assist you just in case.

[Zoe]

Yeah, I tend to agree with Aaron... get something more manageable for now... your case is the textbook "I saw it and it was cute but i got too big so I gave it to a rescue" type of thing, it happens too often, which is why there are so many rescue burms. Even a small burm will get over 10 feet, if you have a male. If you have a female, she'll get even bigger. They cost a lot in good and like dlucka said, you're going to need a big cage. Your 4x2x2 will be too small in a year.
Get a boa, perhaps... they are equally tame, and an adult male can live comfortably in that size cage!

Zoe

[HERPSKEEPER]

Edwin, i have seen 23ft females and 17ft males.Coy, i would suggest spending the day with some burms over 10ft if possible.I have a bumese thats 10ft 5in and a rock thats 10ft and 2in. The burmese is a really good choise for a pet python...... They eat like a garbage disposal,and grow fast.I have started raising chickens and rabbits just to feed them.They are always out growing there cage.I have mine in a cage thats the size of bunk bed laying on its side.They **** and piss like horses.

[Smilts]

thanks for the advice you have a good idea of spending some time with a large python. i was over at a friends holding his nine ft rock python. But ill have to wait for another time the burmese i was looking at was murdered by a vindictive ex to the lady that owns the pet shop. Me and my wife have been going every day to observe and get to know the snake it was fine yesterday when we went to watch it eat. and today we went back to see it and by a Female Tokay it was dead with a flat neck and head. It really bothers me cuzz i was slowly growing attached. Anyways sorry to bother people with this post thanks again.