Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i will be getting a Burmese for the first time at the end of december and was wondering what size tub i should start a baby burm in? also the size of the heat mat that would fit that tub well

I start hatchlings in 6-quart tubs. They do better in small cages, feeling more secure & less stressed. They outgrow them fairly quick, though.

One problem I see with using tubs & heat mats when beginning with a baby snake is keeping the tub size, heat mat size all in perspective to the snake's growth. If you get an adult or sub-adult size heat mat in the beginning you'll end up wasting heating energy because it will be so much bigger than the tub. But then again, it's not cost-efficient to have to buy 3 various size heat mats as they grow.

You might could start out with something around a 26-quart tub or so (something that's about 6 inches high) and get a heat mat to accomodate it. Just offer a few hides on both the cool & hot ends to aid in the snake's feeling secure.

Personally, I would make a shelf with Flexwatt on it instead of trying to use heat mats for a growing snake. You can always add more Flexwatt to the shelf as needed.

Have a good one!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

thanks for the advice!
i currently have my blood pythons in 32 qt tubs, but wasn't exactly sure if that would be big enough for a burm. how quickly would you say a baby would out grow that sized tub?
you wouldn't advise starting a baby off in say, a 74 qt sterilite? too much stress?

How long it takes before a hatchling Burmese Python outgrows a 32-quart tub depends on how you feed it. Anywhere from 6 months to 1 year. Feed it properly (not power-feeding) & give it plenty of exercise time and you should be looking for a larger enclosure in about a year.

"you wouldn't advise starting a baby off in say, a 74 qt sterilite? too much stress?"

Personally, I wouldn't start any neonate snake, of any species, in a 74-quart tub or equal size enclosure. It can be done but the husbandry has to be good (good cage setup with proper thermal gradient, temperature & humidity; multiple hides; etc...).

Yes, stress is the reason I wouldn't/don't do it. Even when hides are used in large enclosures for hatchlings (up to a few months old or so) some snakes can get too stressed, scared, to leave a hide to venture out into the great wide open.

There are some snakes that can easily handle being raised in large enclosures - snakes that don't get stressed very easy, with nerves of steel. These do just as well, if not better, in smaller enclosures, where an easily stressed snake doesn't fair so well in larger enclosures. It's the safe bet that I strive for.

Take care!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

okay, got it.
just don't want it to feel too cramped or feel insecure.
thanks again!