Morgana

[Morgana]

Hi there,

im new to this forum infact never been on a forum before. I have a common boa around 4 and half feet long at the mo and would love another snake. I saw this gorgeous burmese python today about 12 months old. I know how large they get and I have the room for one but just would like to chat with other people that have burms before I make a final decision. It is a male so will be slightly smaller than a female.

[infernalis]

[Lankyrob]

Welcome to the forum (Merlin fan??) love to see some piccies of the snake too??

[marvelfreak]

Hello and welcome! I use to have burms. One thing you have to ask yourself is when this snake is 10,14,or maybe even 18 feet do i have friends or family that will help me with handeling? Then ask them to make sure. The reason i got out of burms this the bigger they got the harder it was to find people to help. Now if you got someone that will help your off to a good start. You said you have the room for one when it gets bigger, but do you have the money to build a secure cage and to feed it? Is there any place around you where you can buy large rabbits, chickens, or small piglets? I am not tring to scare you way from getting one just give you some food for though. If you have any question just ask.

[Nafun]

First of all, everything marvelfreak said. I second it!

Secondly, right up front, I want to say, I don't have a Burmese Python. But I'm commenting here for a very specific reason. I want, and have always wanted, a Burmese Python more than any other snake.

I do not have a Burmese Python.

Every time I scooped poop, or drained and refilled a waterdish (well, let's face it, a burmese needs more like a kiddie pool), or fed him, I would need 3 extra people. I don't have three people in my life right now who would do that for me. And even if I did, will I in 10 years? 15 years? 20 years when I'm hauling 200lbs of elderly burmese python to the vet?

Secondly, as marvelfreak said, these things eat big prey. Do you have a reliable source of 10lb rabbits? Cause this thing will plow through them. I did the math, getting f/t 10lb rabbits would cost me $1200/year minimum to feed one. Even if I had a rodent distributor in my back yard, and it carried 10lb rabbits (most don't carry anything near that large) it would cost over $520 per year. And that's assuming a very minimal feeding schedule of 2 rabbits every 14 days. If a snake is active, that price goes up fast. And not to put too fine a point on it...

When an adult burmese python is hungry, you feed it, or you risk becoming a target.

When a small snake becomes cage aggressive, it's a nuisance. On very small snakes it's even cute "look at him try to eat my finger!". If a Burmese gets cage aggressive, your life is in danger.

Do you have a plan for feeding him? The typical way to prevent cage aggressiveness is to use a feeding tub. Do you have a plan for getting a snake that it takes 4 people to even *lift* into a bathtub sized feeding tub? When it's hungry?

There is a lot more to keeping a giant than just having the space for it, and every time a giant has to be taken out of a house by half a dozen members of animal control, or attacks a handler, or gets loose and starts eating neighborhood pets, it gives firepower to the politicians who want to remove our rights to keep exotic pets.

I'm not telling you not to get one, I'm just trying to make it clear that there is a lot more to caring for a giant snake than any other snake. Logistically speaking, it's more akin to caring for a lion or bear. No matter how tame it gets, it's still a wild animal capable of killing you before help can arrive, even if the help is in the same room.

That being said....

Do you have room for an 8'x8'x6', or bigger, enclosure?

Do you have access to the materials to construct it? They don't sell that kind of thing down at the shops.

Do you have access to a supply of large feeder animals? Assume an adult is going to be eating a minimum of 20lbs at a sitting, and good luck convincing it to take 30 rats!

Do you have a zoo or a giant snake keeper in your area that you can volunteer at and get some first hand experience before your snake becomes too big to handle?

Do you have 3-4 people who you can count on to be available and willing to help you with cage maintenance at least once a week?

Do you own your home and have a reliable job that you intend to live and work at for the next 20 years?

Does your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend support you in this, are they comfortable raising kids around a giant snake, if you're single, are you prepared to limit your choice of soul mate to snake lovers?

Are you prepared to have animal control knocking on your door every time a neighbor finds out you've got a "monster snake, at least 30 feet long!"?

Until you can answer yes to all of these questions, it would be irresponsible to buy the Burmese.

[Lankyrob]

Well said Nafun - i like the way that you have structured your response - sometimes saying things like this can come across badly (especially online) but think you hit the right tone.

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome.looks like its all pretty much been covered.can we see some pics of your boa.we love plenty of pictures around here.
cheers shaun