Opinions Needed - Burms as Pets

[capsicum]

I would love to hear various opinions about keeping burms as pets :)

Thanks in advance :w

TK

[burmese maniac]

what is it that you want to know? I have 6.5 foot 8 month old male and he is just wondrful.

[capsicum]

Well, I am curious as to what people think. Are they a good pet, have they had bad experiences, good experiences, easy to keep, difficult to handle, etc.

TK

[dave68]

Very BIG and HEAVY usually quite docile eating machines that eventually need large rabbits for food or goats, pigs, small children (joking)LOL. Anyhow I think Burms rock if your ready for a HUGE commitment!

Dave

[capsicum]

Oh yes, I agree! I am waiting for my baby to arrive within 3 weeks. I will be posting pics of course, can hardly wait :D

TK

PS Thanks for the replies! I appreciate them!

[burmese maniac]

this is what your burm should look like at 10 months old, if feed properly. they are really special snakes.never tried to bite me. need alot of space for these beasts!!!! here is a pic of my male burm at 10 months of age 6.5 feet. imahttp://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5498burm2.JPGgine if this was a female.

[burmese maniac]

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5498burm2.JPG

[burmese maniac]

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5498burm2.JPG
her is a close up pic.

[burmese maniac]

sorry the close up pic is not working

[lakeridgekennel]

Best snake in the world BUT not for everyone. VERY big and will eat you out of house and home.
here is one of my baby boys and he is only a year and a bit but already weighs 50 pounds and is almopst 10 feet.http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2161July_Puppy_Pictures_018-med.jpg
you also need very big cages for adults bare minimum 8x4x4
hope this helps
cheers
Sean

[Edwin]

Burms make really good pets; they are forgiving of husbandry mistakes, hardy, and are good eaters. However, their adult size makes it difficult to recommend.

[capsicum]

Thanks for all the honest opinions! I greatly appreciate it folks ;)

TK

[Dr. Antfarm]

They're great pets if you know what you're doing with giant snakes. What is the biggest species you've worked with?

[capsicum]

The largest I have worked with was a very pissed off 15', 165lb female burmese python. I met her as an adult, and yes I was terrified initially. Once I realized how stressed and ill she was, I understood the commitment it takes to own one of these (or more, for those with more :) ).

TK

[Dr. Antfarm]

So what happened to the snake? All I can say is make sure you're prepared for a giant snake. There's enough heat on those of us in Canada keeping reptiles, and giants more so. We don't need any more bad press.

[capsicum]

Originally posted by Dr. Antfarm
So what happened to the snake? All I can say is make sure you're prepared for a giant snake. There's enough heat on those of us in Canada keeping reptiles, and giants more so. We don't need any more bad press.

The snake was not mine. It belonged to someone else. As I said I worked with it :)

And I do know the bad press regarding these snakes. I have seen it for sometime and have had it affect many aspects of my life.

Anyways, I am fully prepared to take this on :)

Thanks for all the opinions everyone!

TK

[JimmyDavid]

Very fast growing. Heavy beasts. My big girl died a month ago (she was 5), but she was 21 feet long and 300 pounds. So you get the idea. Usually docile snakes.

[thunder]

ummm. . . u posted a photo of a crab? i think you got the wrong link.

how come she died?

[JimmyDavid]

Go to the gallery and type Anastacia. I'm sure her photo will come up.
She threw up a big rabitt and started to act as if she was not feeling good. The same day she died. What a stupid way to go, huh?

[Samba]

Burmese pythons are generally 'good-natured'. They tolerate handling well, and are relatively easy to keep. The only difficulty I have with mine is that he's HEAVY, and I can't handle him alone... not just for his weight, but JUST IN CASE. He's never struck, or attempted to strike, me, my dog, my boyfriend, or my landlord (damn) J/K.

He is sweet, sometimes I would think he's being affectionate if he were capable of that kind of closeness. (He just wants me for my body... heat, that is =)

He's picky, and will only eat white rats... even rats with black faces or spots will be refused. I've buried quite a few F/T rats that he wouldn't eat. I don't know if this is a burm thing or not, but I've been told many snakes are quirky about what they eat...

Burmese pythons also seem to be unusually suseptible to respiratory infections. Mine has not had one since I got him, (thank goodness) but I know they are hard on them.

I really enjoy my life with my burm. Even though he can't smile or talk, he makes my day when he wakes up and gets all excited when I walk in the room (probably just wanting food or a bath); particularly because he does this with no one else. He is a special pet that is a member of the family... not just a creature on display.

I wish you the best of luck with your burm and look forward to seeing some pix...

Here are a few of Bandula (I can't resist):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/sambagurl/Bandula/MVC-889F.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/sambagurl/Bandula/MVC-884F.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/sambagurl/Bandula/MVC-869F.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/sambagurl/Bandula/MVC-890F.jpg

[Katt]

lakeridgekennel, Lucas is not a year old. He is four yrs old.

[burmese maniac]

very well said, get all the info possible before you jump into a decission!!!!!!!

[lakeridgekennel]

lucas is 4? I didn't know i thought is was just a really big baby. I really never asked sheila. Thanks for the info Katt!!

[rwg]

Personally I think Burmese make excellent pet giant snakes. That being said, the word "giant" has (pardon the pun) huge implications, and they are not for everyone. You have to be ready for the worst case in terms of husbandry, feeding, size and temperment. 18' meaner-than-hades burms that eat like line-backers on steroids are rare, but how do you know the one you're getting isn't going to be one? Can you handle it if it is?

rg

[capsicum]

Originally posted by rwg
Personally I think Burmese make excellent pet giant snakes. That being said, the word "giant" has (pardon the pun) huge implications, and they are not for everyone. You have to be ready for the worst case in terms of husbandry, feeding, size and temperment. 18' meaner-than-hades burms that eat like line-backers on steroids are rare, but how do you know the one you're getting isn't going to be one? Can you handle it if it is?

rg

Very good point, glad you brought that up :)

I guess with any animal you can never tell if they will be sweet wonderful temperments or nasty as a peeved hornet. Something to seriously consider.

TK

[jim mcallister]

Burms are great animals but one thing to remember is clean up time. Their waste is extremely large and strong smelling. Not for the weak stomach.....:0 I wish there were dwarf burms!!

[Big_V]

Originally posted by jim mcallister
Burms are great animals but one thing to remember is clean up time. Their waste is extremely large and strong smelling. Not for the weak stomach.....:0 I wish there were dwarf burms!!

There are dwarf burms out there. You just need a bucket full of cash to get one thats all. :p

[Rikki]

Before anyone ever sales a burm i seriously think that the conditions on which the burm will be hours as well as the owner should be inspected. ;)

[capsicum]

I just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to reply to this post :) My husband and I personally decided not to bring home a burm, as we are considering starting a family within the year, and I just don't feel it's appropriate to have a young child and a burm in the same building (again, my opinion only).

Anyways, your opinons are of great value to both myself and the people who have come to me asking about burms as pets. I have given a lot of people various websites and whatnot to read about them, however they still want opinions :) So, if no one minds, I would like them to read what you all have said (I am not using your names or anything, just what you have posted about keeping them).

Thank you again for being wonderful :)

TK

[Rikki]

You choose family over a burm? o.O

Only kidding :p

[Samba]

Burms are quieter, eat less, and are easier to care for... I choose my burm over starting a family!!! J/K =)

I would also not have a burm and a baby in the same house... that's just not good parenting, to say the least! I must say you are giving up an awesome experience, though, because burms are probably the best large constrictor out there to be a 'pet'. =)

[capsicum]

Samba, I agree that it is giving up a lot :) Though, as long as we can open our store and it is viable, then I think I might be able to get one to keep at the store ;)

If not, then I will have to wait a while before getting one. But I do look forward to the day that my children will be able to see these animals without fear (I mean that they will know as much as possible and have the greatest amount of respect for them).

Ah one day ;) my dream of a patternless burm will come true :D lol

TK

PS I think your burm is absolutely awesome and just beautiful!!!

[Samba]

Capsicum - That would be the best of both worlds... Burms and Babies!! LOL Good luck!!

P.S. Thanks, my burm truely is awesome - I wouldn't trade him for anything!!! =)

[ib_inked]

Not to say that it cant be done (in my opinion in shouldn't), but I think that it's smart for you to say that keeping a burm with an infant in the house is not the best idea.
It really depends on the living quarters I guess.
It simply creates the possibility of an accident. And if that possiblilty became a reality it would be nothing short of a tragedy.

[capsicum]

Exactly...thats why I would love to have a seperate building to keep the larger or possibly dangerous animals in :)

I just feel that it would be the best situation for all involved :p Then as Samba said, I can have the best of both worlds lol :D

TK