Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been rescueing reptiles for almost 5 years now. I live in the city if Long Beach Ca.My small loft apartment is full of tanks and on the back patio an enclosure for my Burmese python which I have hand raised for 10 yrs.The city requirements for my Burmese is a 5x5x8 enclosure. Houdini is just under 20 ft and close to 300#s.The wild animal permit is only $20.00 but all other reptiles will be an additional $5.00 a head.I have to continue my God given gift of healing and loving these so terribly misunderstood and neglected creatures. I want to start a rescue here in Long Beach Ca. I have the support of the local pet stores as well as the city. If anyone knows anything about starting a nonprofit organization please help me help them. I am disabled and on a fixed income. I spend my days deticated to the rescues I have . I want to deticate my life to rescueing and rehabilitating reptiles.
For those of you that don't know the Burmese python in the wild is endagered so please be sure you know what you are in for.

Keeping a 300 lb burm in a cage out on your patio IS NOT A RESPONSIBLE METHOD FOR KEEPING A LARGE BURM! This animal should be kept INSIDE in a locked cage inside a locked room; that's just part of the responsibility in owning a large burm (not to mention running a reputable reptile rescue operation). Too many things can go wrong and this is just taking a huge risk to you, your snake and the general public who lives around you.

I run a not for profit wildlife center that has not for profit status and we spend a lot of time and a lot of MONEY in running this facility. Once people know you have a rescue, be prepared; you will be inundated with phone calls! Good luck with your plans.

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

I exsplained to everyone that the enclosure is built to the City of Long Beach Humane societies codes. I have built this insulated enclosure myself and provided proper heat source as well as a very large source of water. The city has given me wild animal permits with no issue. If they felt that my snake was at any risk or any reptiles in my home were being neglected or under fed, I don't believe they would have issued me wild permits.Let alone allowed me these permits every year for the last 10 years. I have been doing this for some time.I have also stated that I have the cities suport as well as a local pet store. This pet store is owned by a very good friend of mine. I managed the reptile department in his store until I could no longer work with my disability.I have no problem feeding my snake as well as feeding all the reptiles that I have for long or short term. I feed my babies very well and free most of the time. If 300#s of snake is not enough to show I take good care of my girl then I don't know what to tell you.

Then I guess we will just agree to disagree....if I was a neighbor I would have a real problem with this "code" and having someone keeping a large constrictor "outside" next to me; sure wouldn't fly around here...recipe for disaster but Good luck.

I respect your opinion.My nieghbors all know what I have in my back yard. Most of them have seen her grow. The kids are always asking if they can come see her. Parents have come to my home in disbelief of thier childrens stories. If I had a picture of every persons reaction to her size. Not only her size but her reactions to me and how she knows it is me. I have tryed things to see if she really knew me from someone else. The truth be told she knows even if someone else is wearing something of mine with my scent on it. She knows her Daddy. I agree to disagree and if you could see her you too would know that my relationship with Houdini is one of a kind.

I'd like to see a pic of the burm if you have one...

I have a video clip of her if you want to take the time to down load it it is worth it. I will need your email address.

Here's my email scoutboywithshortbusdog@yahoo.com

Thanks Jason

I guess my question is...if this person is too disabled to simply work in a pet store, why is he maintaining a 300 lb Burm at home (possible among other herps)? That just seems wrong.

Good luck.
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2.2 Solomen Island ground boas
0.1 Solomen Island tree boa
1.0 green tree python
1.0 jungle carpet python
2.0 coastal carpet python
1.0 Boa constrictor imperator
0.1 Borneo short-tailed (blood) python
0.0.1 CB Florida banded water snake
1.0 albino Burmese python

Because my disability is a titanium cage in my lower spine if you must know. I am very capable of caring for all of my animals. Not only physically but also $$$. So if your concerns are a persons personal issues are try Opra.

I may be wrong but I think the main concern here is that Your huge Burmese may be able to break out of his enclosure and if he did it is outside where it would have free roam of the neighborhood. Where as if the enclosure were inside in a locked room he would be loose in YOUR locked room if he broke out of his enclosure and not a neighborhood.

We all know the bad rap giant snakes have gotten when they get loose and someone or something is harmed or just the sheer panic of such a large snake on the loose. This is why they are banned in so many places.Ownership of giant snakes comes with a huge responsibility and good common sense as I am sure you know.

I am sure you take very good care of your snakes needs and I don't think that is what is at question here. I think it is the outside enclosure. Atleast that is the worrisome point to me.
If you have any pictures I am sure everyone would love to see your big guy and his enclosure to get an idea of how he is kept.
And Good luck with your rescue work! There is such a great need for it.

I understand everyones concerns. I am fully aware of the possibilities. I built a place that she can not get out of nor can anyone get to. I will do what I can to get a picture for you all. The exsperience I have does not come from a book or from a computer site. It comes from doing it for 10 years. I am well aware of her capabilities. I as I said agree to disagreee. And I wish all you raising big snakes good luck it is a rewared behond your imagination when you can lie next to a snake as wonderfull as my houdini let alone her size. I have a video clip it takes time to down load but it is worth it. E mail me at samhainmagic@aol.com Make sure you address the title houdini please that way I will know it is not spam.