Posted by:
BrianSmith
at Fri Jun 20 13:58:52 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by BrianSmith ]
I think it has more to do with YOU and YOUR capabilities than what the snake is like. If you are afraid of being bitten or are apprehensive about handling a very large snake, then no, it probably is not the snake for you. But if you realize that an ocassional bite goes with the territory and expect it and can cope with it when it comes without panicing, then maybe. And I am not talking about aggressive territorial bites either. Those almost never happen when dealing with a docile burmese. But feeding accidents resulting in a bite can and do happen frequently. I have been bitten and wrapped scores of times and don't think much of it. The last time was just a few nights ago I got it in the right forearm by a 10 foot albino retic male. It was during feeding, just as 99% of my bites are. I choose to hand feed so I place myself in the danger zone, so this is avoidable and entirely my fault. But my wife simply unwrapped him gently from his tail up and by the time she reached his halfway point he realised he had something other than his rabbit and he released me. I placed him back in his cage and offered him his rabbit again. He took it without hessitation. The whole thing was no big traumatic ordeal for either of us. The important thing is to never panic. I don't take the same chances once the pythons are over 11 or 12 feet, but an ocassional accident happens with the big ones too (about once every couple years). I have never had to go to any hospital. I never even put anything on it (neosporin/peroxide, etc) unless it is rips or gashes and they always heal up just fine.
I think BoaBoi had a lot of valid points about long term commitment and I think it is more important that the snakes recieve optimal care than whether or not we as the keeper get bitten. But I think if one already has experience with reptiles and gets a baby burmese that they can get to know their python and "grow" with it and by the time it is large you have the working skills to handle any situation. But like BoaBo said, it's a long term commitment. Expect the burm to live 25 plus years. I don't think space is an issue. I think most people above the lowest poverty line can afford to sacrifice 8x4 floor space.
I really don't think that "size" is really the most important factor. I have scores of gentle giants but the snake I respect the most is a vicious little yellow malaysian male blood that does everything in his power to do me the most harm he can. He's the only aggressive snake I have and I give him a wide berth. He's amazing in his attempts to shred me, I must say. I have tried all of my taming methods with him but nothing has been effective, so now I just leave him alone as much as is possible to keep his stress down.
The bottom line,... I think it requires more responsibility to operate a motor vehicle than it does to keep and raise a burmese. But if you "fear" it,... you have no business having it. Fear is your worst enemy in a bad situation with a large python, (or anything for that matter). Because quite frankly you just plain don't know what to do, and fear makes one make HUGE mistakes. And that is no way to be when being constricted or under attack.
Other than that,. enjoy your burmese if you get it.
>>I personally would not recommend a burm. I've been bitten by a 4 meter(that's about 12 feet?)burm in my arm. It took 20 minutes before she let go and i could go to the hospital.
>>A snake is never tame. Docile maybe. But it can't be trusted! It remains a wild animal and snakes don't get tame. They can become easy. The will also feed on big prey. Are you capable of killing a big rabbit if you have to?
>>They are beautiful and i love keeping them. I just wouldn't want you to underestimate them...
>>Good luck on your decision.
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The fastest way to achieve great wealth is by living more poorly for much longer.
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RE: Do you recommend owning a Burmese Python? - BrianSmith, Fri Jun 20 13:58:52 2003