Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am finally thinking of getting a larger snake, i have a few questions. what is the average size of a male burm i don't think i am ready for a female yet. i have kept many snakes mostly boas and am either thinking of a retic a burm or a borneo maybe a dumerils but i would like to get my first giant snake. any questions and comments would help.

thanks derek

Hi Derek,

If you are sure you are ready for a giant snake, a burm would be much easier to handle than a retic for a first time keeper. A male burm will typically get between 15 and 18 feet. Usually around 16 or so. You should know though that they can be very expensive to keep. If the snake gets sick (an RI) a typical round of antibiotics will run about $300 and that's if YOU give the injections. If the vet does it, it can cost much more. They need adequate heat and humidity at all times. The cage must also be of adequate size to accomodate the snake. Once the snake is over 7 feet I highly recommend another person being there to help you handle it. Once they are over 7 feet (in my opinion, some people say 10 or larger) they can be a bit to handle and care must be taken. NEVER handle a giant snake without someone else there to help in case it wraps on you.

Getting a snake that will grow that big is a BIG decision. You need to relly ask yourself if you can care for it, its who life. They can usually live in captivity anywhere from 20 to 30 years. They need to be kept clean. When they go to the bathroom (and it will be BIG) you will need something to put the snake in while you clean the cage and disinfect it.

Many people who want to get a burm do so because they think it would be cool to have such a big snake, without realizing all that goes into caring for one. Sorry for the little novel on this, but as I said, you just need to know you are ready for it. Many times people get the snake and once it gets to about half its full size, they realize they can't care for it and either abandon it, set it free, or give it to a shelter.

Think on it... If you decide you are not ready for it, a nice red tail boa gets to an impressive size and are not nearly as hard to keep or expensive. If you think you are ready, then please do all the research you can on what it will need as far as caging, handling, feeding, cleaning, heat, humidity, etc...

take care,

Circusfan