Another responsible Burm keeper

BWSmith · 03-03-03, 11:22 AM

I just got an email today.

Quote:

Hi, my name's Mike, I work for one of the Cable companies here in Georgia. Last September, another worker found an Albino Burmese Python under the house he was working at. After talking to the customer we found out that the man had released the snake because he was "too much to handle," and the snake had been loose for around three months.

Better this snake go into rescue than loose in the ecosystem. But it is just another example of people getting cute little baby burms having no idea what they are in for. It looks like I will be travelling about 4 hours to either rescue this guy or treat it for an RI (no suprise there) and treat it for parasites and try to give the current rescuer some guidance if he is going to undertake this snake. I don't see this type of thing nearly as often with other species. makes me want to throttle the next person I run into who says they are breeding burms and run over the next pet shop owner who recommends one. Luckily, I still have about 250 sq feet of unused herp room so i have the room for it if need be. But there are not that many people willing to rescue adult burms and space in these fine homes is running out. People need to learn what they are getting into. We need to squasht he rumor that a snake will only grow to the size of its cage. And for the love of God, these snakes are NOT for the average person or average herper! I see enough irresponsible herpers in hots and if I knew this guys name that turned it loose i would register a complaint on him for eco-terrorism! Not even counting the normal dmage to the environment a burm can do, it could bring in a disease intot he area that could wipe out avery snake for miles. You never know. Why do people feel the need to get such huge snakes? Is it a status symbol? I heard one guy talking about he got a retic because his buddies had pits and he wanted the "bigger, badder pet"!!!!! I treat burms, retics and rocks like i treat venomous. Discourage people to get them. Tell all the bad things first. Tell them everything that can go wrong, how dangerous it is, and how much it is going to cost. Then if they are serious and want one for "the right reasons" (term used loosely with no real definition), then they will get one and they will be a little more prepared.

OK, i'm done ranting. i am just sick of seeing burms in constant need of rescue.

BurmBaroness · 03-03-03, 11:29 AM

Amen, my point exactly. I couldn't have said it better, or been as nice as you......lol

Xetox · 03-03-03, 11:34 AM

Yea...Its a sad thing, but I dont think we can do much about it! People like the idea of having a large snake until they end up with a very large snake!

ReptiZone · 03-03-03, 11:45 AM

well that is one darn good rant man and I agree totaly I would like to breed burms just so I can add it to the list of species of snakes I have breed but I wount cause the more reserch I do the more I realise the animals well bieng is not worth the risk

BWSmith · 03-03-03, 12:06 PM

Good for you Chondro.

ReptiZone · 03-03-03, 12:33 PM

this is off topic from this thread but what do you think about using gloves with snakes BwSmith

BWSmith · 03-03-03, 12:42 PM

Gotta narrow down that question a little. Gloves for venomous, goves to protect from bites, latex gloves for handling or cleaning cages?

ReptiZone · 03-03-03, 12:53 PM

gloves to protect from a bite from a harmles baby burm

Xetox · 03-03-03, 12:53 PM

http://www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answer...g_a_Glove.html

I posted this in another thread but this a great article from proexotics about gloves!

ReptiZone · 03-03-03, 12:54 PM

read the thread in giant pythons my baby burm prob you will see what I mean

BWSmith · 03-03-03, 12:55 PM

No offense, but if you are afraid of taking a bite from a baby burm, what are you going to do when it gets older and MUCH larger?

Xetox · 03-03-03, 12:59 PM

I don't use gloves, but was just posting a good article about it...I don't see anything wrong with using them, like the articel says use them for the initial contact, one the snake know that you are not food or going to harm it, take the gloves off and allow it to get used to you and your smell.....

I thought it was a good article and for those who are new to the hobbie and still a little timid dont be afraid to slap on a pair of leather and go for iT!

Lisa · 03-04-03, 09:05 PM

We use gloves on our blood python and viper boa's to get them out of the cage. keeps them from freaking out.

BWSmith · 03-04-03, 09:28 PM

I think the focus of this thread has been lost.

LdyDrgn · 03-04-03, 09:30 PM

It did go a bit off-topic, didn't it...?