Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a burmese python that is about 13 months old and a lil over 6 foot long maybe 5 pounds?I wanna be able to maybe fatten him up a lil bit,and i know how big they will get but i just wanna fatten him up a tad.any body got any answers on how i could do that.I know they grow the more you feed them,but i have seen some 6 foot ones that were really fat,alot fatter than mine.but mine isnt to thin,he is a glut and i dont quite think the is under weight,but the above entioned weitght was an estimate.Also,my most important question.I know they like to hide,but mine never comes out of his box maybe a couple times in a month,and it is really bothering me,cuz i need to hold it everyday,but its stressfull to get them out of their hide boxes.Is there a reason he may be hiding so much?someone please respond

That does seem a little on the small side but not necessarily indicative of something being wrong (could just be a small burm and count your blessings). Feeding response is usually a good indicator as to how the environment is for your snake (and in your case, it sounds like you are providing the proper environment). You didn't mention your feeding regimen; that would be very helpful. At six feet, your burm should be taking medium (or perhaps even large depending on girth) rats rather easily. At that size, 2-3 every 10-14 days will suffice for now. I have found that with my burms, once I wean them on to rabbits, their growth really takes off (so, consider small rabbits as well....Rodentpro.com is a great source for ALL rodents). Hope this helps.

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

Well i am feeding him 1 medium rat a week.I breed my own rats ,and the stock is really low right now,so i cant feed him anymore than that right now.Should i?I mean when he was like 3-4 12 foot i fed him 2 small rats a week.

well mines about 5 1/2 foot and i feed him jumbo rats from petco. i give him one every 7-10 days

Do you have a pic of your burm?

About your second question, I know people who do no have hid boxes for there snakes, and they are fine with that. Because if you give them somewhere to hide they will. I use this plastic tree looking thing that there are several places you can see her through but she curls up under that all day and rearly moves. She does feel secure, it is important that you handle her and get her out and she gets use to you getting her out of there, because eventually you will give up and then you got a big snake that does not like to be handled or knows that if you try and she snaps you will stop. I know other peeps will have otherthings to say, and everyone is different and has other set up ideas. But be carful when you take her out of there. Always

so your saying i should take him out as much as possible?I thought that would stress them out if you did that?

Hi, my 6-1/2 foot male is about 11 months old and is taking bunnies now (I guess a pound or two) easily. I feed pre-killed (Hubby does the executions on these, I can do the rats but not the bunnies!).

Our guy is about 13 pounds and we feed him a bunny a week. Maybe he's a little over I guess, but we do take him out a lot for exercise and he doesn't have the "flat tire" when he lays still so I think he's okay. He's a growing boy, after all--

We still give him a rat here and there, and even a mouse from time to time, just to keep him entertained. (Yes, the mouse is but a mouthful).

I've heard (is it true?) that if you feed exclusively under-size foods (i.e. several rats instead of a suitable bunny) that the snake's head doesn't grow like it should? Not that it's a problem here, just wondering.

Good luck packing on the pounds!

has it always been a big burm?i want mine to be fatter,and i know they get huge,but still i want him to be fatter than he is