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I've been looking at getting a burm for a while now. I have 5 balls, and my question is, how do their attitudes compare? I've gotten mixed reviews on burms, you have the people who swear that they're "man eaters!" and those who claim they are "gentle giants"
I'm more partial to thinking the "man eater" claims are from uninformed and or uneducated -in large constrictors- people. A lot of people also claim that balls are the sweetest thing, but I've met my share of sassy shilas, and even own some sassy ones. I think it all depends on how the snake is conditioned. But attitude wise, how do balls and burms compare?

Thanks
-Madison

its really on a snake by snake basis. ive had 2 burms and one was bitey fo years although recently calmed down and the other has always been kitten tame. it really just comes down to how much time you put into the snake and also the animal itself.

Hmm...I have three balls and a burm and I don't think they are very much alike at all. I think Burms are more gentle and more confident in their movements. Now let me caveat that statement with my personal experience with these species.

I find balls to be a bit head shy. Actually, all of my boas/pythons are head shy, but the balls seem to react the most, and with jerky movements. I've got a 20yo Ball p. that is really bad about jerking back, but I don't know much about his previous handling except that he didn't receive much in recent years (he was given to me about 2 months ago).

My Burm is 11yo and pretty calm. I hear that about most people's burms, especially if they've been handled regularly. He doesn't like his tail petted or his head restrained, but I think that speaks of many snakes! He was given to me about 1.5 years ago, and I know that he was handled pretty regularly by his previous owner and the one before that. He was around kids a lot and has a good track record. Maybe it's the size, but the Burm goes around like he owns the place, and he's not scared of too much. The balls act like smaller snakes, waiting for something to happen.

I agree with the statements about them being head shy, I've worked with my extremely head shy ball daily for the last few months and they still jerk around a lot when they see even a shadow pass over their head BAM they jerk which suprises many people into acting foolishly.
I don't know one snake who likes their head or tail restrained... ever.
Thank you for your input, it's nice to know that it's not just my balls that act like prey! I'll keep everyone updated on my adventure into Burms.

-Madison

I have had 3 Burmese Pythons and own over 20 ball pythons, and I think both are a great species to work with, hands down. If you feel confident with your experience with your Ball Pythons and have the space to house Burmese Pythons, it would be a good snake to jump into. I think they are both naturally calmer, more social snakes all together, but I have to agree with the above that say its all on a snake to snake basis. I have outgoing ball pythons, shy ball pythons, aggressive ball pythons, chill ball pythons, and fearless ball pythons. My largest Burm is an absolute lover and the definition of a gentle giant. Another of my Burms hisses and makes a whole lot of noise, but I think its more of a complaint than a threat because he's never tried to bite anyone ever. However, in my experience, baby Burms tend to be nippier than their adult counterparts and when compared to other baby snakes... but ball python babies can be too. I think overall you're right.. it all comes down to is conditioning -- or a mixture of nature vs nurture. No matter how much time you put into some animals you just may have that personality clash. I have a ball python named "Sniper" for a reason -- I've had him since a hatchling and there is just no convincing him out of being 0 defensive and tag-happy, while other snakes are much easier to "tame." I would recommend to meet your Burm first before buying and seeing if you can handle their personality -- or start off with a hatchling you know you'll have to work with a little. Either way, good luck!!
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)