Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just recently purchased an albino burmese python from the pet store BTJ's Jungle in Suffolk County NY. #1. Never buy from this pet store they had no idea about when the last time he ate was, and to top it off he was covered in mites. The mites where quickly erradicated and its been three weeks with no sign of return.

About week after settling in (he shed during this time) he ate two mice in one feeding, and he is still relatively small about 30".

I have had snakes all of my life and he just seems to have ferocious appetite, could this be from the pet store not feeding him properly or is this normal.

My Cuban Boa Slinky was about 9 feet when he passed from old age at 15, and he would routinely eat 2-3 large rats every two weeks.

However Fluffy my burmese is eating two adult mice weekly as a juvenile is that too much or is that normal? He is very docile and tame not aggressive or snappy at all towards me, just very inquisitive. His docile behavior reminds me alot of my cuban who wasn't head shy or anything.
Just thought I'd ask about his appetite.

There's nothing better than obtaining a young burm with a healthy appetite. The strong feeding responses are probably due in part to a less than optimal feeding schedule at the pet store. For now, just proceed as you are with the 2-4 mice per week routine and then gradually increase the size of prey (so you don't stress this snake's already stressed out digestive system due to insufficient food). It won't be long before that burm is pounding 15lb rabbits. As your snake ages, you can increase the size of prey but cut back on the frequency of feeding. Our large adult burms get fed 1-3 appropriately size prey (usually large rabbits) every month with a little vitamin supplementation mixed in...and our burms are very big but have very good muscle tone. Sorry to hear about your cuban boa; they are really neat animals that have been known to live well into their 30's and 40's. One thing I have found particularly true of boas is that one has to guard against overfeeding. Our 20 and 30 year old boas get 2-3 jumbo rats per month and these are BIG boas (10-12'). Just something to consider if you get another species of boa.

Have fun with your new burm.

Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)

Thanks so much for the response, yeah when I had the Cuban I lived in a small town in Upstate and the Vet there just didn't know much about herps.

The pet store where I got my burm also had no idea on his age, I would have to assume by his size and the Burm breeding season that he is somewhere between 4 and 6 months. Is there anyway to tell? Or is my approximation about correct? Thanks for your help and your responses.

Tom

I am sure you are pretty close....size depends on so many factors that it is sometimes a bit of a guess but I think you are at least in the ballpark. Good luck.