Now that is a loaded question and one, like you, that I could probably write a book about. Best thing? Hmmmmm...there are countless. The little cardboard box that was on the doorstep to our wildlife center with a note that said "take good care of me". It contained a hatchling albino burm that would grow to a 15' beautiful specimen affectionately named "Popcorn" and truly one of our most popular education animals. Perhaps my best memories involve the many rescues that we take in. Many come in absolutely horrid health and there is nothing more rewarding than nursing these animals back into beautiful animals and placing with warm, TLC homes...that's as good as it gets. Worst thing? When I see incompetent owners keep burms for the wrong reasons (showing off, machismo bs, etc.). My worst bite involved a stupid feeding error early on in my professional herp career....involved a 16' burm full of piss and vinegar; still have few battle wounds from that encounter.



Funniest moment with a burm?....Two years ago the police dept. received a 911 call from a woman who was taking care of her son's 14' burm while he was at college. Her instructions was to take a thawed rat by the tail and dangle it in front of the burm and then toss it at him. Well, she took the lid off of the tank and the snake, who hadn't been fed in two months, came darting out after her. Every time she moved, he came toward her. Eventually, he had her cornered and it was then that she called 911. I was escorted with the police and fire department (quite a production!) and we broke the door down and followed the screams. I was expecting to see a burm just kind of slithering around thinking she was just being dramatic...not so! This burm was in a classic sit and wait predator position using her coils to keep the woman from getting around. The lady still had the rat in her hand...what a sight! I approached her and simply slid the burm away from her and told her to "drop the rat!". Soon after, we had the snake bagged and took her to our place where she dined on a big rabbit. Another happy ending!

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