i think im going to get a burm

[Mike177]

if this isent your first snake, i would go for it! if you are so determend to be a good resposable owner then i would buy one, but... there are some things you should do first! 1. buy a book on burms you can get some pretty cheap books at a place like half-price books, you can read it cover to cover in less than an hour. 2. if you have experance with boids in gereral than you would probly be ok. 3. do the whole hobby a favor and try to contact a local rescue, people are alwas trying to give up burms and if you want one try to think about these poor burms who are already 6,7,8+ feet but are in despret need of a good home.4. if this is your first snake then defenitly hold off! a burm can be aggressive at times and they **** like no other, my burm is about 6-7 feet and took a **** bigger than i do! also you need to have about 500 bux set aside and ready for the snake when it has to get a nice big cage. well i am not going to rant on any longer but when u get a burm dont plan on it being cute and cuddely, well i should say that cuz i think ALL snakes are cute and cuddley. dont plan on it being small for long, a burm can grow 9 feet in one year. but usaly grow about 7-8 in there first. do some reacerch and here are some links for you.

http://www.anapsid.org/burm.html
http://www.geocities.com/pythoncare (click care sheets then burmese python. its my site)

if after you read these care sheets and u still want to get one and you will care for it properly then get one. just dont be a jackass like those other people who get there burms uthinized when they get to big,

Mike,

[Linds]

Burms are not at all beginner snakes. They reach massive size (up to 10' in the first year) and require several parties to handle once they exceed 8'. These are the type of snake that if you have to ask basic questions such as size, maintenance requirements, etc. you are not ready to get one. There is a reason these snakes are constantly being given away, released into the wild, abandoned. I agree in that balls are not the best starter snakes since they are notorious for fasting, which can prove frustrating for beginners. If you don't like small snakes, thats fine. There are a variety of medium and larger sized snakes that are suitable for novice keepers however as I believe you already know of these snakes... http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showt...threadid=20590 ...

Here's another thread on burms that may be useful...

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showt...threadid=20350

[SD-SNAKE]

If you want a burmese and you can spend $300. I would get an albino patternless burmese there amazing looking. good luck do the research. take care Nick

[Samba]

I DO own a Burm, so let me give you my thoughts. I haven't read any of the other posts, as I just don't have time, so if I'm repeating someone bare with me.

Burms make GREAT pets, BUT, you have to be experienced with them, (and other snakes in general), be able to have someone on hand when you handle it, be able to accomodate its size. I realize the snake is young now, but they can actually grow quite fast. When mine went through a 'growth spurt' earlier this year he went from 9 feet, (his length at 2 years) to almost 15 feet in about a 10 month period. Of course, mine was a rescue that had been neglected, but don't you think for a second that you will have plenty of time to accomodate the snake. I would suggest you be at least moderately prepared to keep a large snake right now, even if right now it seems little.

Secondly, even though you are buying from a pet shop, it is YOUR responsiblity and no one else's to make sure that snake is legal. Many places have bans or require special permits. If you own a snake like this and get 'busted' that snake could lose its life if you don't have it registered.

Remember, Burms can live quite a few years, (The most I've heard is somewhere around 14-20 years... just an estimate, don't quote me on that). You must be able to provide for it, get it regular veterinary exams, just like you would a cat or dog. You have to be pretty stable financially to care for it. Who will take care of the snake if something should happen to you, or what if you want to take a vacation? Plan ahead for these things and don't jump into your decision. Don't get me wrong, I love Burms like no other, but honestly, if I hadn't rescued mine and seen what he went through I probably would not own a burm at all. Think long and hard, and if you decided your dedicated enough to take it on, then go for it. Just remember what a big, literally, responsibility you are taking on! Good luck!

[Invictus]

Something else to keep in mind... 10 pound rabbits do NOT come cheap. You'll be looking at 3-4 of these per week when the burm is fully grown (which could be inside of 4 years). Something else to think about....

[Samba]

You Feed adult Burms 3 to 4 rabbits a WEEK? Wow, I feed mine about once a week... (A bunny, and one or two rats)... that is a good point though... Food is expensive for them!

[SCReptiles]

As you will come to know I am not nearly as pessimistic as most people on here. I had a burm when I was young. He survived and so did I. If its $300 for a normal burm, then that is too much. If it’s a color morph then perhaps. Linds is right, I have seen several go 10 feet in their first year, but after that they grow slow. Don’t expect him to get bigger then 15 feet. All these reports about him going 20 are simply hog wash. People are actively looking for 20’ snakes and can not find them. If it’s a male expect it to top at about 13 to 14 and a female about 15 and maybe 16 if you are lucky. Don’t spend much money on his early cages, he will outgrow them quick. I would just use rubber maid containers for the first year, then have a nice long term enclosure built. They will eat a lot when growing, but as adult every 14 will be fine. Pumping them up is bad for their health. Good luck and let me know how it turns out. Thanks

[Teana]

I have an adult female Burm, 15ft. She is a great pet, but she was not my first!!!! It takes my Fiance' and me to carry her to the bathtub when her cage needs cleaned TWICE a week ( at least). She eats 3 5lb. rabbits a week (don't have access to larger rabbits or it would be 1 Flemish Giant every week). She is a lot of work!!!! I'm sorry, I've had her for 2 years and even though she is a HUGE puppy dog, I WOULD NEVER HOUSE HER IN MY BEDROOM!!!!!!!!! She's in a cage with locking doors and I would never do that. I agree with a lot of the other members, start off with a corn snake, king snake, or a captive-bred Ball Python. Get some hands on (in house) experience with snakes before you jump on buying a Burm. Not to mention $300.00 is totally outragous. I have aquired all 4 of my snakes free of charge from owners that could no longer keep them.

[SCReptiles]

cleaned TWICE a week ( at least). She eats 3 5lb. rabbits a week

You are over feeding that thing. They do not need that much as adults. Its no wonder you have to clean the cage twice a week. =)

[Ed_r]

First off DON'T BUY A BURM, There are hundreds in rescues right now that may have a small adoption fee, on them. If you don't like the size they are when you adopt them Don't get the burm. Help the rescues move the burms they already have, don't help them aquire more.

[jncoclub]

My burm was my 4th snake, however, I got 4 snakes within 1 one year’s time with my fiance. Was I as educated on burms as I should have been? No. Am I trying to learn all that I can now before it’s too late to make sure she has the best life possible? Yes. Is it difficult? Yes. Does she eat a lot? Yes. Do I ever regret getting her? Never.

In my opinion, if your heart, your will, your knowledge, your apartment, your wallet, your love and devotion to your snake are all large enough to give the burm a wonderful life, then I think you should go for it. But that’s me.

[liltattyprinces]

think this through very carefully, as everyone else has said. I had one yrs back (rescue) but as i'm a small lady and was having my first child had to find a home for him and it can be quite difficulte to find a sutible home with someone able to care for it properly. it's a huge responsibility. The kids and i have snakes again but sutiable ones we keep corns and a snoroan, wich are great starters once we have all mastered this kids included we will acquire a ball or something along those lines.

[snakemann87]

Burms are a very large responsibility. I currently own a burmese python which is at 4 1/2ft in 7 months........so by no means does it take awhile to get large. You are more likely to get a burm within the range of 12-15ft range but it depends on the parents. I HIGHLY recommend a breeder to buy from also. IF this is your first snake......I wouldnt get it. They have AMAZING feeding responses which a beginner might not expect and when your dealing with an 10ft snake..you gotta be up to speed. The corn or ball python is definately the way to go I waited at least a year till my first burm which i shouldve waited alittle bit longer.....but I work and can maintain a burmese python but im not sure of your age.

Also 300 is definately "outrageous". My burm cost me 250 and he is a Labyrinth het Albino Labyrinth

[Samba]

LOL SCReptiles, I was thinking the same thing as I read Teana's post!

Ed_r - good point, once again... I think that's a point many burm, retic and iguana fanciers need to consider when getting a pet!

Snakemann87 - Read Ed_r's post please! LOL


Whatever you decide to do Dreamache, think out your reasons for wanting a burm. Make the right decision, get lots of info and keep us updated! Good luck!

[remsin76]

get a BCI if u want a big snake. theyre big but not too big and theyre rarely fussy eaters