Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok well Ive had balls burms bloods all the above. I always give the burms up after 6ft. To a good home of course. I know what im doing for the most part and have a very good knowlede of pythons. I have had snakes for about 4 years now since I was 13 I am 17 now. Is there any possible way I can afford and keep a burm preferbly the smaller males? I live at homewith my mom in an average size room. I mean is there any way to do this with liumited space and everything, easier heating methods? Thanks alot for the help
Mike

ps: I know most will say to wait til I have my own place. But i plan to attend college next year which means itll be several years Before I have my own place and I am just so in love with these pythons that I cannot wait

Are you going to take it to college with you?
What has changed that you can now handle a burm over 6ft when before you could not?

At 17, and only having four years of experience, I would have to have a hard time believing that you have a "very good knowledge of pythons"; perhaps book knowledge but in terms of working with them, reading the many scientific contributions and such, I would have to believe you are still in your infancy as far as your knowledge level. I would also HIGHLY recommend that you re-consider your choice to get a burm at your stage in your life.

Does your mother share the same enthusiasm for having a giant snake in the house? Are you prepared to purchase a very expensive cage to properly house this animal? Are you prepared for a very hefty veterinary bill should it need it? Are you planning on taking the burm to college?....most schools don't allow snakes in the dorms and most colleges won't let you live off campus until after your freshman year; who will take care of your burm during that time? Will you be able to adequately provide for your snake during your "poor college student" days? Do you have several other people who will be with you when you are taking your adult burm out? Is your mother equipped to deal with an emergency situation? Sorry if I sound a little harsh but these are questions that you must answer to yourself in fairness to any burm that you are going to bring in. Getting a male does NOT ensure a smaller burm! I've personally seen 16' males; real monsters. That very comment leads me to believe that you should consider other alternatives like borneo short tailed pythons, olive pythons, boa constrictors, etc....all very impressive snakes w/out the many considerations that go into keeping a large burm. Just something to consider.

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

>>Ok well Ive had balls burms bloods all the above. I always give the burms up after 6ft. To a good home of course. I know what im doing for the most part and have a very good knowlede of pythons. I have had snakes for about 4 years now since I was 13 I am 17 now. Is there any possible way I can afford and keep a burm preferbly the smaller males? I live at homewith my mom in an average size room. I mean is there any way to do this with liumited space and everything, easier heating methods? Thanks alot for the help
>>Mike
>>
>>ps: I know most will say to wait til I have my own place. But i plan to attend college next year which means itll be several years Before I have my own place and I am just so in love with these pythons that I cannot wait
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Ok thanks for the replys and I mean no dis respect But neither of you answerd my question. I know hot to care for a burm. I a can manage a large burm it is all about space. My college is community I will not live there. Its right up the street. MOney on caging is no problem. Its all about space and heating the large cage in my small room. I guess there is no way to do it So I am sticking to a ball python for now. thanks anyway
Mike

I just poste dand then read your new post. As far as spcae is concerned, you may want to think about what you for available space. I don't know what you have, but a full grown burm will need A LOT of space. I have a 13 foot female right now that is my personal pet and she has her own room. Her cage is about 9 feet long by 4 feet wide by 2 feet high. I keep her in her own room so she doesn't have to deal with all the traffic in the rest of the house.

You say you know how to handle a large burm. No disrespect, but do you really know how to handle a 16 foot male? Do you know how to release it from you, should it coil up on your body or worse, your neck, without harming the snake? How would you transport such a large animal to the vet, when it needs vet care? In the event it gets an URI and you need to give it injections of antibiotics, do you have other people readily available to help you do so? If the snake is having a bad shed, how do you aid it in removing the shed (removing shed from a very large burm is much different than from a ball)?

As I said this is not meant as disrespect, but these are a few questions you need to ask yourself. Think on it.. Have a good day. = )

Circusfan

I agree with Mr. Carmichael. The best advise would be to wait until after college, when you have a steady job and a place of your own. When you can give the snake the proper attention and care that it needs. I strongly believe, after working for some time with very large burms, that there is much information about them that you can't find in books. It's more of a hands on training sort of thing, like getting to know the snake and its moods, etc... I'm not sure if you are ready to keep a burm for its life span right now. I would say wait until after college. That would be best for you and the snake.

Perhaps a burm might not be for you... Have you considered a red tail boa? Very nice snakes and they get to an impressive size. Not even close to burm size, but impressive none the less.

There's a lot to think about here. Take some time and mull it over.

Circusfan

it always annoys me when someone believes that they are proficient in reptile care when they state that they have 'had' a certain herp. you claim to have had bloods, burms and the like? where are they now? why did you give them up?

you gave up the burm(s?) when they hit 6 feet? how big was the ball? what has changed since then?

-this is going to sound harsh-but it has to be said. you are the type of person that is causing huge problems in herpetoculture in america. these are not disposable pets! how long do you plan on keeping this burm? until it hits 8 feet? that could happen in a year. taking on a pet is a commitment for the duration of it's lifetime.

people like rob carmichael deserve tons of praise for their rescue work. you had better takedown his email addy now, as i am sure that he will have any future burm that you may own sooner or later.

Ok didnt want to have to be the last post made me...everone is caLM AND nice about evrything except the last guy. I gave all thgose snakes to good homes for your info! I kept them so I could have experiences with different snakes nothing wrong with thaty I cared for each one very well and then sent themoff to move more advanced. Eventually I hope to get a burm for its full time. I amnow done with all the giving the snakes up thing. When I get my ball I keep him for the long run sasme with the burm when it comes time. To get good experience and knowlege it takes experience. To be as good as Carmichael, You need experience. I started at a ball then boa then blood then burm....Once the burm hit 6 ft. I knew that it was toomuchy for me and I neededmore time so I ghave a good home. Then I thought back to all myprevious snakes andnow decided for now the ball python will be the easiest to manage in my liufestyle right now. So dont you dare tell me I dknow what I am doing and abandon my reptiles because I told you nothing except I am 17 And would like a burmese python and have had previous snakes. Now is everyone seriously going to tell me from the time they are 13 til now they have had and kept every last pet theyve ever recieved? .....
thanks for the help veryone else.
Mike

I'm glad you made the decision to keep the ball for now and move onto the burm later on. It's really best for you and the reptile for now. Good luck with the ball, sometimes they can be tricky eaters...

Circusfan

I'm glad you've resolved to hold onto your Ball Python and have bowed out of the 'revolving door keeper' scenario. That was a wise and ethical decision. However...

>>Now is everyone seriously going to tell me from the time they are 13 til now they have had and kept every last pet theyve ever recieved? .....

Short answer? Yes.
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Still searching for 1.0 WC human

With the questions and statements you have made, I give you a thumbs up in asking for opionions and to get some help from those that have been working with burms for years. Not one of us here have given you credit for asking; which is why the forum is here. For stepping out and trying to find answers, you have shown a maturity level which will only help you in your future herp endeavour with a burm in the future.
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