Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have 6 snakes 1.1 balls 1.1 red tails and 1.1 bloods that bite alot and i am willing to give my whole room up for my snakes and have my nom to back me up. i am very percautious with my animals and do not turst many people with my snakes only 2 my mom and my adult freind mike.

It sounds like you aren't really asking our opinion, moreso looking to be accepted in the forum once you do get one. Sizedoesmatter replied to your previous thread and mentioned the most important advice. Talk with your parent or gaurdian about it. I personally think 13 is to young for a Burm but I've never met any 13 years old who was REALLY into snakes, maybe you are. Curious though, what will you do with your other snakes? Sounds like you have a nice collection. I'm 35 and I can't have the various breeds. My mean and nasty wife won't let me, . I really want a green conda or a monocale(sp) cobra. Oh well. Let us know what you decide.
DZ

First, before every 13 year old emails me with threats (more like tantrums at this age) I have MANY reasons why a 13 year old should NEVER own a large constrictor like a burm:

1) Maturity: these are GENERALIZATIONS but most 13 year olds don't have the necessary experience to properly keep a burm. Keeping large constrictors takes YEARS of experience and one must have a keen eye for detail. Most kids simply underestimate the strenght of these animals and most young people simply are not at a stage in their life to take on this responsibly. Studies have shown that a young person's brain that controls impulsiveness/maturity/ability to make sound judgements doesn't become fully developed until you are 21 years of age.

2) RESOURCES: most youngsters are too young to hold down a job. Who pays for the food and upkeep of this animal? What happens when it gets sick? I can tell you, most people cut corners and end up asking for veterinary advice on forums like this and end up getting HORRIBLE advice (sorry burm forum, but I have seen some truly idiotic advice in recent days).

3) SECURITY: Although it sounds like your parents are supporting your hobby, that does has its limits. How much experience does your parents have in keeping large constrictors? If that experience is limited, then you are not showing good judgement. Are you putting anyone in your family in danger in keeping a burm? Does a brother or sister (if you have any) have any trepidation on knowing that a large, life threatening animal like a burm is under the same roof? If so, you shouldn't have one.

4) SIZE/AGE: Young people are on average not as strong as older adults. What precautions have you taken in keeping this snake responsibly? What will you do if you do get nailed by your pet? What emergency procedures are in place? I guarantee you one thing, if a large burm gets a hold of you w/out anyone else around, you are DEAD. ALWAYS HAVE AT LEAST 2-3 FOLKS WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES WHEN YOU ARE WORKING WITH YOUR BURM.

5) COLLEGE: I hope you are considering going to college. Who is going to take care of your giant snake when you are old enough? There are very few outlets for unwanted adult burms.

I am sure you are a very able and conscientous person who truly loves reptiles. I am curator of a very successful wildlife center that has MANY reptiles including large constrictors like burms, retics, etc. I also have many 13 year olds who help me out but they know that no matter how much knowledge they have, they are not ready for a burm. MOST BURMS kept by young people will become an abandoned pet at some point in their life. Do you want to be a part of that statistic? You have a real impressive collection of boas/pythons and they will give you the training you need to tackle a burm when you get older, have your own place and a full time job....of course, I am assuming that you are practicing sounds and responsible husbandry and management techniques. Good luck.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

I do agree with Charmichal everytime he posts on this forum, I see you as a knowledgable source to look to when in need of info. The one thing I do not agree with you on this time is the last thing you said, that most every young person who owns a burm will become an abandon pet. I'm 17 and have always taken great care of my animals and been very intersted. My collection already includes 2.0 burms, 1.0 RTB, 0.1 Dumerils boa, 0.1 Rock python, 0.1 yellow anaconda, and 1.0 Savannah Monitor. I currently have a job and am enrolled in a cumminty college. My parents take no part of caring or even giving a crap about my animals besides the fact that they stay in my herp room in the basment. This post has nothin to do about bickering to you for the sake of taking this kids side, just letting you know something about myself. Now on the other hand, I do not think a 13 year old should own a burm who partially relies on his parents for the care of his animals. By the time you hit 14 your going to want to go out, be with friends and girls, and have better things to do than sit at home and watch your snakes. In my case I do go out all the time, but any time I am home I'm doing somthing in realation with my animals. If you ever saw me out you would never consider me as being a kid who cares for snakes or would even be on this webight. Reconsider this burm, your 13 and already have 6 snakes that you have probably not owned for very long. A burm is a very cool thing to have, so wait it out and see if your still into it in 2 years, then get one. Don't just jump into things for the hell of it, your taking an animals life into the palm of your hand who is not anything like a dog or cag. Large snakes are very needy, expensive and difficult to care for. I hope you listen to the people on this forum who have expierence with owning burms, goodluck with your decision and let us know.

Yea, I felt about the same when I was 13. I wanted one bad. I waited it out and got one this year (I'm 16). I also now ahve a retic and soon to be conda. The animals always come first for me. I do nto have a job right yet but my parents do give me the money and all. I do all the care taking except for my dad waterign and feeding the rabbits when I am at school. Then when I get home I check everythign else and all the normal stuff. I know if I were not as big as I am (size nto age) I would not be messing with them much. Picking up a 100lb snake is not hard to me. I know if it decieded to kill me I would be dead if I were alone (which once mine hits the 10' mark or so I will not be alone when working with them. When I go to college I will only be liek an hour away so I will be coming home every 2 days or so and they will keep a check on things just incase somehtign out of the norm. happens and they will give me a call. So I will not have any problems with that. Next year I am going to make my 1st attempt to breed burms and if I can find a calm large retic I will attempt makign bateaters or if I can find a pair of tics I will breed them. I say wait till you're 15. DO NOT RUSH INTO IT.
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Justin

Well, I see we have positive and negetive views, as expected. College was mentioned. I figured I'd throw my two cents in on this one. I think 13 is a great time to start thinking about what you're going to do during the next couple of years. When I was 13, I was sure I wanted to start my college years towards Herpetology which then turned into being a Veterinarian and now, I am working on a Pharmacy Degree with a French minor. At any rate, I started college when I was 15...not so far from where you are now. At 19, with one degree under my belt, I have had no problems holding down 15 hours a semester, working and feeding 8 pet rats and 2 albino burms. However, there have been times when I had to feed one, buy gas, work and then feed the other (in that order). It's really something that you need to consider. During college, I literally have to decide what percentage of my money goes where...which is great when it comes to learning how to manage your finances. I also read your list of herps. I am impressed and jealous that your parents would allow you to keep that many reptiles (considering my mother swears an allergy to all scaled creatures, hehe). I've thrown in my two cents, I think. Still, I rest with the idea that if your parents believe you've done/are doing a great job with the upkeep and responsibility of owning your current pets...perhaps a burm is something to consider adding at some point. If you were my child, I would have a hand in taking care of the burm...as they are large creatures and I would definetly want some security knowing it on a personal level. Again, discuss this with your parents...make sure everyone knows the result of stupid acts around large snakes. This isn't something that should be taken lightly...make sure everyone is well versed and everyone is prepared. I would like to state that I am neither for nor against your getting a burm...but if you decide to get one...PLEASE take the utmost care to make sure all the bases are covered.

Sam

I am 15 and I got my first burm at 14 and she is thriving , and growing like weed (which turned into a second,who is now 7.5 ft long, and soon to be a male DH for Alb Lab). I do not have a real job, and my parents dont pay for s***, they wont even touch the snakes, I just work my a** off in school so that one I can be a successful person and make a good amount of money, but for now in order to get money I bust my a** on side jobs, like painting, lawn service, small constustion jobs, building cages for others, etc. So all I am saying is, if you dont have a job and dont like busting your a** for anything, a burm is not for you, because you will have to work hard to keep up with it.

WAIT TILL YOUR 15?!?!?! A 16yo with a burm, conda, and retic. This is insane. i don't care what the situation. That is horrible advise. Kid, wait till your 20 or something around there. And also, you've never bred before but you plan on breeding bat eaters?!?!?! Lmfao Do you know the half of what is involved in that? That statement said alot for you.