Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey
i'm think about buying a burmese python
does anbody have and comments,facts,helpful tips,reasons why i should get one , or reasons why i shouldn't .

any info would be very helpful

thanx
sam

Hi Sam!
There's an awful lot to think about before acquiring a Burmese,such as thier potential size,,availability of food items,expense,cage furnishing and set-up,availability of qualified Veterinarian should it become ill and also the opinions of your other family member in your household,if any on whether they're willing to occupy a home with a very large snake once it's grown.
Also,what is your experience in caring for reptiles,particularly snakes and larger constrictors?
I consider Burmese Pythons a snake for advanced keepers,they are relatively low maintenace aside from feeding but very few people have the dedication to care for them after they reach thier adult size and require frequent feedings of larger animals that are more expensive and harder to obtain.
To give you an example,my largest female Burmese Python is now sixteen feet long and that says nothing about her girth and weight,which is nothing to be sneezed at,consider also that this past summer she ate a piglet and a small goat that I bought at a livestock auction.
Regularly,her and her mate eat large rabbits and chickens,my male is thirteen feet and gaining rapidly on the female,I house them in a very large remodeled walk-in closet that measures six by eight foot in floor space,that I added onto by including a second half floor and I still don't feel it's quite adequate.
They are quite a commitment,they aet alot,sometimes they can even be aggressive,requiring special pre-cautions when feeding and maintenancing the cage.
They are awesome animals though,I thoroughly enjoy them and will keep them as long as I'm physically capable which to me means until I die or get severaly injured (hopefully not by one of them!) so i don't want to discourage you,just keep in mind that they are a huge load,quite literally,of snake responsibility.
They also are often frequently found in rescues because many people purchase them as babies and become overwhelmed.
Please do your research,think ahead to whether you can house them as they grow as well as afford to feed them and acquire medical care for them should they get ill or injured.
I would recommend "The Captive Husbandry of Burmese Pythons" by Phillpe De Vosjoli that thoroughly covers the subject of Burmese Pythons in captivity.

StormyHall

thanx man that gives me a lot to think about.