Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone. I hope to be getting a baby Burm and it's my first BIG snake. How big should the enclosure be? Is a 20 gallon long ok? Just wondering...i want to get an idea of what I should get. I've given it a lot of thought and i think that i'm ready experience wise but just need some input from other keepers and what they think. Thank you!!

Well,i own burmese and blood pythons and red tail boas,as far as reptiles go anyway.Yes a 20 gallon long would be sufficient sized cage for a juvenile burm.Since they are only 18 inches at birth,a 10 gallon would work,but i personally dont the 10 gallons because ya cant really keep one side much warmer/cooler than the other and thereisnt alot of rooom in one.As long as the snake can stretch atleast half of its body length out then it should be fine.and ya know it must have a hide box,my burmese hides a really lot,he loves his box.good look with the burm you aquire,they are really huge and more to handle than a smaller boid,and alot of experience is needed with larger constrictors before ya get one of these "BIG BOYS" and they must not be able to escape when they get large.

Personally, I think that size tank is too small for even a hatchling (okay for a few months but that's about it...seems like a waste of money). Instead, DITCH the tanks and get a cage specifically made for reptiles (Neodesha - yes, out of business but used ones can still be found, Vision, Habitat Systems, Custom Cage, Cages By Design, Crescent Moon Creations just to name a few). I would personally not raise a hatchling in a cage less than 4' x 2' and even at that size, a healthy and properly fed burm will outgrow this size cage within a year or two. These snakes can reach gargantuous sizes in a very short amount of time (I personally know of one burm that reached 16' in one year). Security is very important and providing tight, hide areas will help young burms adjust to their surroundings. Just my .02.

Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center - Lake Forest Parks & Recreation(IL)

I know they do grow really fast,but it is ok to put a juvie in a 20 gallon,atleast.nothing less.but,like yo said,they wont last long n a cage tha)t size.and those vision and neodesha cage are really good for burms big or small,and if ya want you can always make a custom cage.Im fixing to build a cage thats about 9 foot longX5 foot deepX5 foot high,that is a pretty big cage,and t should last for a really long time.I like to let them have room to move around some,but as i continue to get more large boids than i have now(3 for now:burmese,blood python,and redtail boa),but im planning on getting several more of different size,i personally like burms bloods and retics the most,but that may be me.and eventualy more larger lizards,smaller ones too,and a few caimans,and eventually bigger aligators,but for now its just the 3 that i have now.

I would not use a 20 gallon tank because he will out grow it fast. My first burm was in a 20 gallon tank and it did not last him 5 months, so i would just get him a 50-60 gallon tank for a few more bucks. hope this helps