I've been thinking about getting a burm for a while now and completely understand everything required for properly maintaining one. I woke up this morning only to discover that my nile monitor had died and was utterly devastated. I'm only 16 but have been keeping reptiles since I was 13 and this was the first one I've ever lost. Cleaning his cage ripped my heart out and I haven't been able to go back in my room and face the empty cage since. I have 2 red tails and I've been babysitting a friends 10 burm for a few months now and she is an absolute sweetheart and never wanna give her back. Do you think it would be a rash decision to get one now, cuz I'm so upset over my monitor. I know eventually I'm going to get one but don't know if i should just wait awhile. Also whenever I do decide to get one what is the best place to get prekilled mice or rats from, the closest place to me that carries them is an hour away and by the time i get home they are thawed. How would they ship them if I bought some over the internet?
Thanks for any advice you can give me,
Katy
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Need Advice
Replies (1)
Katy, sorry to hear about your nile...our wildlife center just lost our 25 year old V. albigularis so we know what you are going through. Since you are only 16, I would guard against making any quick decisions on getting another herp. If you are planning on going off to college, you definitely want to put off this decision until after you graduate. If you are not going to college, wait until you have a place of your own (unless your parents are 100% supportive of you having a potentially giant snake AND that they are knowledgeable in proper handling skills). Do you have other people near you who will help you when taking your burm out? Remember, that cute little hatchling will grow to 6-10' after one year and, as in the case of one of our burms, could reach 18' and over 250 lbs after 5 years...are you prepared for that kind of commitment? It is a HUGE undertaking and requires nothing short of a full time job/career, your own house, several people who are also knowledgeable about handling large constrictors and dedication and an eye for detail. But, burms are fantastic animals; but I would just wait until you know what you are going to do with your life. As far as suppliers go, I would recommend rodentpro.com ; they are fantastic. Good luck.
Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm (IL)
