Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm going to be getting a burmese python, it's about 15 foot long. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some care advice, feeding housing anyting else I should know, Iv'e been keeping snakes for about 15 years just never a python, thanks for your help
Wayne

Have you read up pn burms yet? Will you be getting it with an enclosure? If not your going to have to get one before you get the snake. It will eat rabbits or chickens (not store boughten ones). Many people feed them in the cage because its hard to find a feeding container large enough, and if you feed it on the floor somewhere, even after eating a large meal, theyll still be in the eating mode and could possibly veiw you as food when you go to put it back. Snake hooks are used to remove it from the cage. You'll need someone there to help you when taking the snake out or feeding it, or at least a way to easly contact someone if something happens. Most of the info you need will be in care sheets, but if you have any other questions please ask.
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0.1.0 Columbian boa constrictor
1.0.0 Albino burmese python
1.0.0 Pine/bull snake hybrid
0.1.0 Ball python
3.0.0 Cornsnake (anerythristic, snow, normal)
0.0.1 Cali kingsnake
0.0.1 Rainwater albino leopard gecko
1.0.0 Tokay gecko
1.0.0 Bahama anole
0.0.1 Red eared slider
1.4.0 Cat
4.3.0 Bird
1.0.0 Dog

I will be getting it with a tank but will be making a new cage, how should I heat it? heat pads or lamps? is there any good care sheets online? thanks again

As far as a cage, I suggest one that opens from the front. I heat mine with cobra mats and when the temps drop (winter, etc) I add a CHE by the cage to keep it toasty (note: use a guard around the CHE if inside the cage). Another thing you're going to need to consider is humidity. Some forum posters are going to suggest humidity ranges in the 70-80% range but humidity levels are fine if they flux between 50%-80%. Remember to keep the humidity higher around shedding time. ALWAYS offer water. I've got a burm right now who can drink about 2 liters at one sitting. He's a sponge. Consider contacting a petstore/chain and make sure they'll be able to keep a steady supply of rabbits (or whatever you plan to feed your monster). Right now would be a great time to figure out if the burm is used to f/t or live. Substrate: whatever you decide on make sure you've got a ton of it because burms crap mountains. I find that newspapers is quite simple to change and it holds pretty much all of what is excreted. To boot, it's extremely inexpensive and for pennies a day, you can receive newspaper (or you can steal from the local recycling drop off, hehe, j/k). The long and short of it: burms are amazing animals but make sure you're completely ready for their growth and needs. I know thorough experience that burms grow faster than some people can build (ie. Me) but once you get them in a cage that functions well, you're set for life. Congratulations on your new baby and lets us know how things go!

Sam

The General Care and Maintenance of Burmese Pythons...
including notes on other large pythons.
By
Phillipe de Vosjoli

Published by
The Advanced Vivarium Systems
1-877-4AVS-Book

The Guide to Owning a Burmese Python
by John Coborn

T.F.H. Publications
1 TFH Plaza
NeptuneCity NJ 07753

Try these as a start