Family problems with Burm

[theroom101]

I come from a close knit family, and I am definately the black sheep when it comes to pets. Everyone else is allergic to cats and hates exotics (my dad has a snake phobia and my mom has a spider phobia). I own two cats and three snakes... as you can tell, there aren't any dinners at my place.

Well, my mom is only aware of 2 of my three snakes, and when I rescued my Burm Python, I told her that was just until I get him healthy and find a new home for him. Well, since then I have grown to love the little craphead, even though he'll never be as good as the snakes I raised. I haven't had the guts to tell my mother that I'm not planning on getting rid of him.

But my mom does have a good point, I have some moving around to do in my future and a full grown Burm is going to make things difficult for me. She is so determined to have me get rid of him that she has offered to match whatever price I can get if I sell him. I guess I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar dilemma like this and how they have dealt with it. I'm an adult and I live on my own, so my mom can't tell me what to do. But I have a lot of respect for my mom and her opinion. It was hard enough getting her to accept the two cats and my baby red-tail. (I'll tell her about the dumeril boa when he's a little older.)

I guess I'm not really expecting any easy answers or advice - I hope no one jumps on me for being a "bad owner" because I'm considering selling - I just have to make a really hard decision. What would you do?

[Lisa]

Thats a tough one. Personally I would suffer the difficulties and keep the burm. Been there.

[Samba]

I'm in the same position as well. Last year someone found a Burmese python on a college campus. It was going to be distroyed if I didn't take it. Like you, I took it in 'until I can find a better place for it' but became attached. I still have my baby and I wouldn't give him up for anything. It's difficult yes, (he's currently going on 15 feet), but worth it every step of the way. =) Good luck!

burms are one of the most common rescues to be found. Also one of the hardest to get rid of even for free. As you know they are a pain to move around and require plenty of area so usually require a bedroom of their own and need to be handled by two people after about 9ft is reached for safteys sake. You didn't mention what size it is now. Me personally, I don't have the time or space to devote to one of the giants, my 3 boas are plenty big enough for me and take up more room than I like as it is lol.

[marisa]

I say forget about your Mothers opinion for a bit and look at whats best for the burm, and you.

If you WILL be moving around, and think you cannot provide a proper home for him then it would obviously be better for you to try and find a good premanent home for him.

But if you really are starting to like him, and you will commit to taking on the responsibility of caring for him moving or no, then your mother will just have to deal with it.

My point is, this situation only has two factors that matter....the burm and your ability to care for it. Not your mother

Good luck making a choice, I hope its the right one for you.


Marisa

[SCReptiles]

I think it is in the best interest of the snake and yourself if you pass it on to stable home. You mentioned moving, believe me, you will have trouble finding a place to rent with a grown Burmese. I have been thru it. I have one that I have had since the early 90’s and each time I had to move it was a great ordeal finding a place to live. Often, I would have to live in very poor quality houses simply because I could not find a nice place that would allow him. I now own my own home and I still run into problems keeping him. Even though you own you own home, your insurance company can refuse you a policy if you have burms. And if your neighbors raise a stink, you could end up with a new city ordinance banning your snake. Take my advice, leave the giant snakes be until you are settled in and own your own home and even then, keep it to yourself. Do not share your snakes with everyone, only people you can really trust.

[JoeBradley]

I do not think there is one person in my family that shares my interest in snakes, including my wife. Obviously since I live with my wife we had to reach some middle ground. I used to house my snakes in my wife's wash room but have recently built a building out back for my snakes. Now both of us are happy.
It does not sound like your mother has given you an ultimatum so it does come down to your ability to properly care for this snake. Do what is best for both you and the snake.
I salute you for being so close to your family. Remember they can never be replaced, but in this situation it does not sound like keeping or selling this burm is going to split your family.

[theroom101]

Marisa: My point is that my mother does matter because I care about her and her opinion. If the issue were as simple as me ignoring her, then I wouldn't be so torn.

SCReptiles: Thanks for the advice, but I've already learned that I can't tell people about my snakes. The apartment I'm in now actually has a clause against any exotic pets at all, but what they don't know won't hurt them. ;-) Of course I'm moving in a month to a snake-friendly apartment complex where I can afford the second bedroom that the Burm is going to eventually need.

Everyone else: I am capable of taking care of George no matter how big he gets because I'm dedicated financially and emotionally able to handle a large breed python. I understand the difficulties behind owning a burm, and I wouldn't ever keep him if I didn't feel able. My upcoming move would be to an area that is extremely pet friendly because the apartments around there house vet tech students - as long as my roommate doesn't mind a large snake, he won't be problem.

I guess after much personal deliberation, my fondness for George wins out. I don't think I can part with him. ;-)

Thanks for your support everyone.

[SCReptiles]

Best of luck to you! If you are bound and determined to keep him, then you will be able to pull it off. I have proved it can be done, it just takes sacrifices. Have a back up plan in case you run into problems.