Advice (albino Burmese - New owner) ???

DavethePython · 12-28-11, 11:34 PM

My sons friend has just aquired an albino Burmese . She is close to 10 feet in length . This girl has zero experience with snakes or any reptiles period and thinks this is the coolest thing . She sees it as a status thing. We have tried to explain to her the responsibility required for such a snake , but she refuses to listen. Can anyone suggest a good resource where she can at least get some education on this snake. I actually fear for her safety as this snake was rescued from a less than desirable owner and I am sure will have a real temperment issue. if she will not get rid of the animal to a better suited owner , I would at least like her to have some form of an education on this snake.

bigsnakegirl785 · 12-29-11, 12:07 AM

Does she realize the snake could kill her easily? I would never get a snake like that if I knew nothing about it. Burmese pythons can get longer than 20 ft, though I myself haven't seen very many cases of it. Is she willing to buy rabbits to feed it? If she's going to keep it, it would be very unwise to not have at least one other person there at any time she handles or works with it. I bet she won't be too keen about it once she gets bit. I am not sure as to temps or humidity as I did not look too much into them. I am not trying to criticize, but if she's willing to learn and take proper care of it then I see no reason for her not to keep it. If she's not, for her safety and the snake's she should get rid of it. If she's willing to learn I bet other Burm owners will be willing to share their knowledge. Either way, good luck.

SpOoKy · 12-29-11, 12:20 AM

Quote:

I am not trying to criticize, but if she's willing to learn and take proper care of it then I see no reason for her not to keep it. If she's not, for her safety and the snake's she should get rid of it. If she's willing to learn I bet other Burm owners will be willing to share their knowledge. Either way, good luck.

I think the op knows this, how to educate her is what is being asked.

Quote:

She sees it as a status thing. We have tried to explain to her the responsibility required for such a snake , but she refuses to listen. Can anyone suggest a good resource where she can at least get some education on this snake.

Wow, crappy situation. I would maybe go online with your son and find some good websites and maybe when your son and her are hanging out he can pull up the websites and read them together. Try to trick her into looking at cool pics of snakes like hers then throw in a bunch of literature.

I am assuming they are teenager-ish age. It is going to be hard to get this through he mind because most teens don't really want to listen (lets face it how many of us was like this

)

Might have to rely on good old fashioned learning trickery

ZARADOZIA · 12-29-11, 02:37 AM

Have her join the forum so she can learn from experienced handlers. Let her know that a snake is like having a special needs baby and can easily die if not cared for properly. Young people (Not all) think they are immortal, death is not real to them, so emphasize on her being a good mom to the snake because it needs a good loving, well educated mom to take care of it. Do some research yourself and share with her what you have found about the snake and it's needs.

KORBIN5895 · 12-29-11, 06:03 AM

My first thoughts were to give her poisoned feeders. But maybe she will be able to learn quick and become a great keeper.

Lankyrob · 12-29-11, 06:35 AM

The biggest and most important piece of advice is to NEVER handle a snake bigger than 8ft on your own and the second is to NEVER let it get near your neck.

I would suggest she spend an afternoon reading the giant python section of this wonderful forum - not a better resource anywhere!!

shaunyboy · 12-29-11, 09:10 AM

sadly if she see's it as some kind of status symbol,imo your going to have your work cut out for you mate

as bad as it is to say,maybe a defensive bite from the burm,might bring her to her senses before something a lot worse happens

has she seen the burm feeding yet ?

when i saw my first big burm feeding,i was taken aback by the sheer power and speed of it all.maybe that would bring home she's dealing with a powerfull animal ?

kimberly (willow on here) keeps a big burm and is a very helpfull person,she may have a few idea's

i really hope you get through to the girl in question

cheers shaun

ZARADOZIA · 12-29-11, 09:31 AM

As a last resort you can call animal control.

shaunyboy · 12-29-11, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZARADOZIA

As a last resort you can call animal control.

or rub a dead rat on her hand when she's sleeping

im joking before you all go nuts

cheers shaun

DavethePython · 12-29-11, 10:40 AM

I will try to pass some of this advice along to her. Probably pointless but I have to try . this girl is 90 lbs soaking wet, and the pictures she posted showed her with him drapped over her shoulders. This snake while doubtful could eat her , could in the blink of an eye kill her. If she is lucky a bite is all she would get . I had already thought to refer her to this forum . Hopefully she will take some interest in at least learning how to care for and respect this animal. While doing my homework on choosing a snake ,the Berm was the last choice I would make. Trying to convince her to surrender the snake to a reputable pet store and start with a ball or corn snake or something a lot easier to handle .

shaunyboy · 12-29-11, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavethePython

I will try to pass some of this advice along to her. Probably pointless but I have to try . this girl is 90 lbs soaking wet, and the pictures she posted showed her with him drapped over her shoulders. This snake while doubtful could eat her , could in the blink of an eye kill her. If she is lucky a bite is all she would get . I had already thought to refer her to this forum . Hopefully she will take some interest in at least learning how to care for and respect this animal. While doing my homework on choosing a snake ,the Berm was the last choice I would make. Trying to convince her to surrender the snake to a reputable pet store and start with a ball or corn snake or something a lot easier to handle .

heres hoping you get through to her mate

because its people like her getting strangled by their snake that gets all of us a bad reputation

kudo's for trying though mate

cheers shaun

**millertime89** · 12-29-11, 12:57 PM

Burms are tough, they need good husbandry to stay healthy and while often calm, can become quite the handful. Do you know what gender the Burm is? If its a male it could very well be close to done growing, if its a female its got a bit to go. Burms RARELY hit 20, the largest in captivity belongs to Tom Crutchfield, Muffy was 22 1/4 ft 5 years ago, could be a bit bigger now. Previously the record was held by a Burm in the New York Zoo which was 19 1/2 ft long.
Muffy takes the U.S. python length title - Animal weirdness- msnbc.com

Lankyrob · 12-29-11, 02:07 PM

How about getting a BP and making a switch when she isnt looking

Terranaut · 12-29-11, 02:55 PM

At 90lbs she should never ever handle that snake alone. Although she could learn to take proper care of it and chances are its docile( most burms are ) a acidental snap into feed mode could be a life changing/ending event for her. I honestly think if she refuses to rid of it get her on here for positive advice and dirrection.

**millertime89** · 12-29-11, 02:57 PM

something like a small cat or squirrel or rabbit walking by an open window is enough to sometimes send a large constrictor into feed mode.