New python owner saying hello

[kidfixer]

Just bought my first reptile, a 6' female Albino Burmese python. Here's a photo...






Came here to learn all about my new pet.

Just got my first reptile, a 6' female Albino Burmese python. Came here to learn all about my new pet.

[infernalis]

sSnakeSs.com - Rules

[infernalis]

We have some very experienced keepers here, they love to help out.

[jarich]

Wow, thats a brave first pet! Glad you are hear to learn all you can. Please let us know if we can answer any questions for you. Welcome to the forum!

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome

imo burms can be scary big guys and command respect

cheers shaun

[alessia55]

Welcome! Post some photos of your burm when you get the chance

[Jenn_06]

I know many people that had a burm for their first snake and the key is read as much as you can about them.Cant want to see pics of yours, my burm it a sweet girl, you have any ?'s dont be scared to ask.

oh and welcome to the forum

[SnakeyJay]

Welcome, your definitely braver than me, my first was a corn.

[Gungirl]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

If there is anything you wish to know ask. We love to help out new members.
What type of an enclosure do you have her in?

[UwabamiReptiles]

Welcome to the forum! You're jumping right in with the burms, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

[Norm66]

Taking the plunge. I like it. Welcome.

[Will0W783]

Welcome to the forums. I don't want to be a negative-Nancy; Burms are one of my favorite python species, but a giant constrictor is not a good first reptile.

I hope you have taken the time to properly research Burmese pythons, and understand....REALLY understand...the HUGE amount of responsibility you have just taken onto your shoulders. If you know what you are doing, and are responsible and prepared, you will have a very nice pet; however, I do have a few points I would feel I was doing my part if I did not make:

*Burms are generally very docile, but a bite from a large Burm will likely result in the need for stitches, or at least a very painful healing process. I was tagged a glancing blow by a 10-foot retic that I was not watching carefully enough- completely my fault- and I needed 9 stitches in my finger. A good six months later and the finger still does not have full range of motion and is incredibly painful on cold mornings.

Your choice of female gender means that you are going to end up with one very very large snake. Female Burmese pythons can hit 16+ feet and weigh 200+ pounds. At any size larger than what she is now, you CANNOT handle her without another person in the room nearby, prepared to jump in should the unthinkable happen. DO you live with other people who are willing and able to spot you when you handle your snake? Do they fully understand the size this snake will reach?

* Housing. A full-grown Burmese python requires a cage that is AT LEAST 10 feet long x 2-3 feet wide. A very large female will require a space the size of a walk-in closet. Can you provide such space, with proper heating and water and substrate?

*Food. A large Burmese python can eat several rabbits in one sitting. My big male (14-feet) is eating a 10-pound rabbit every 3-4 weeks. A rabbit can cost you anywhere from $5-30 depending on your supplier. DO you have the funds to supply this food--- every time the snake needs to be fed---for upwards of 20 years??

Again, I don't want to come off as overly harsh or off-putting...ask my friends here...that is not my intention. I want you to succeed and become a reptile owner success story with a happy ending. I have, unfortunately, seen the aftermath of Burms whose owners bit off more than they could chew, or didn't understand the needs of the species. Both of my Burms are rescue snakes- the smaller male came from a couple who was trying to feed him live chickens and geese. He was covered in scars, ridden with mites and way too small for his age.
The other snake, my sweet big boy Trogdor, was being kept in a plastic underbed bin by a kid trying to hide him from his parents. Trogdor lasted a week in that house before being discovered and offered to me. He is by far the sweetest, most personable snake I have ever owned, and I love that snake like a cat or dog. I've just seen so many Burms abandoned, sold, traded....or worse...because the owner decided the snake got too large or too heavy or too expensive. I have to make sure this won't be the case with you and your snake.


Anyway, we love pictures here, so I'd love to see some photos of your new girl, and I wish you the best of luck with her. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to PM me or ask them on a thread...I'll help you out as much as I can.

[EasternGirl]

Originally Posted by Will0W783

Welcome to the forums. I don't want to be a negative-Nancy; Burms are one of my favorite python species, but a giant constrictor is not a good first reptile.

I hope you have taken the time to properly research Burmese pythons, and understand....REALLY understand...the HUGE amount of responsibility you have just taken onto your shoulders. If you know what you are doing, and are responsible and prepared, you will have a very nice pet; however, I do have a few points I would feel I was doing my part if I did not make:

*Burms are generally very docile, but a bite from a large Burm will likely result in the need for stitches, or at least a very painful healing process. I was tagged a glancing blow by a 10-foot retic that I was not watching carefully enough- completely my fault- and I needed 9 stitches in my finger. A good six months later and the finger still does not have full range of motion and is incredibly painful on cold mornings.

Your choice of female gender means that you are going to end up with one very very large snake. Female Burmese pythons can hit 16+ feet and weigh 200+ pounds. At any size larger than what she is now, you CANNOT handle her without another person in the room nearby, prepared to jump in should the unthinkable happen. DO you live with other people who are willing and able to spot you when you handle your snake? Do they fully understand the size this snake will reach?

* Housing. A full-grown Burmese python requires a cage that is AT LEAST 10 feet long x 2-3 feet wide. A very large female will require a space the size of a walk-in closet. Can you provide such space, with proper heating and water and substrate?

*Food. A large Burmese python can eat several rabbits in one sitting. My big male (14-feet) is eating a 10-pound rabbit every 3-4 weeks. A rabbit can cost you anywhere from $5-30 depending on your supplier. DO you have the funds to supply this food--- every time the snake needs to be fed---for upwards of 20 years??

Again, I don't want to come off as overly harsh or off-putting...ask my friends here...that is not my intention. I want you to succeed and become a reptile owner success story with a happy ending. I have, unfortunately, seen the aftermath of Burms whose owners bit off more than they could chew, or didn't understand the needs of the species. Both of my Burms are rescue snakes- the smaller male came from a couple who was trying to feed him live chickens and geese. He was covered in scars, ridden with mites and way too small for his age.
The other snake, my sweet big boy Trogdor, was being kept in a plastic underbed bin by a kid trying to hide him from his parents. Trogdor lasted a week in that house before being discovered and offered to me. He is by far the sweetest, most personable snake I have ever owned, and I love that snake like a cat or dog. I've just seen so many Burms abandoned, sold, traded....or worse...because the owner decided the snake got too large or too heavy or too expensive. I have to make sure this won't be the case with you and your snake.


Anyway, we love pictures here, so I'd love to see some photos of your new girl, and I wish you the best of luck with her. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to PM me or ask them on a thread...I'll help you out as much as I can.

I have garters and don't know a lot about bigger snakes...but that was very interesting and informative. Thank you for that...more people should be aware of this. I see so many young kids going into my local pet store looking at the big snakes...you can tell they want a big snake because it's "impressive" and "cool" to have one. They have no idea what is involved in caring for a snake.

Btw...I'm not implying this is the case with the new python owner here on this thread. I'm speaking about a problem I have noticed with people buying snakes in general .

[stephanbakir]

Kim put it out fine, any questions you need answered?

[millertime89]

I love the giants, the two people above me are gonna be the best resource on this forum for your new pet. Their knowledge is astounding.