Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I was offered a male 9 ft. burm that is 5 years old, and had a few questions.At his size what would he be eating and how often? Since he is 5 years old will he grow much longer? What would a healthy 9 footer weigh? What size cage should he have? Thanks -Ryan

He'll probably eat 2 small rabbits or a few large rats every two weeks. You don't want to give him too much, unless you really want him to be huge.

You can keep him in a 70 gallon for now, while you're building him something bigger. (70 gallons are about 4 feet long and 2 feet wide.) He'll be able to stretch out what parts he needs to. The thing is, he's already outgrown the biggest tanks you can buy. LOL!!

I would recommend feeding one appropriately sized rabbit (such as a 3-5 pounder) every 10-14 days (if this snake prefers rats, offer 3-4 jumbos over the same time period).....some snakes have higher metabolic rates and every snake will be different so you will have to learn what is the optimal diet for the animal while making sure you avoid the snake from getting too heavy.

Your burm will continue to grow. I have personally seen a 16' male but that is probably the exception. You can expect a male burm to reach 10-14' with half the girth of a similarly sized female.

As far as cages go, I would highly recommend that you keep this snake in a cage made specifically for snakes. I would recommend any of the following: Neodesha, Vision, Habitat Systems and Crescent Moon Creations. At 9' your burm should have, at the very least, a cage that measures 6' x 3'....that size cage will actually hold you over for the entire snake's life (if it ends up being an average sized adult male).

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

Ryan, from your questions I could ascertain that you have a limited understanding and knowledge required for the safe husbandry and care of a potentialy huge constrictor. I highly recommend that you do alot more reading and try to get some experience with these beautiful yet dangerous( if mistreated-these snakes are REALLY STRONG) animals. Asking questions is a GREAT way to start. I just hope you don't "get in over your head." It is critical that you learn of the responsibilities( large expense, possibly demanding requirements like the necessity of several people to handle, maintaining temperature and humidity-not as easy as it may seem, among many others) of owning a burm. If after proper research, you realize you have the time, money, and equally important desire to possess a large python(with the inherent danger and responsibilities that comes with it); than by all means go for it! I wish you look either way.
Elie Fink

I could not have said it better. I got a 3 foot burm in November and he is already 5.5 foot. I thought I knew what to expect. Soon after I got him I rescued a 2 foot female around Christmas. The proper care of these animals is alot more than I ever thought, and I don't regret it, but I do wish I was better prepared for having 2 "little" ones.