Some gathered information...

You may like this link as well.....

http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/210/2/iii

Burmese Pythons are inbred to a somewhat higher degree than most other larger boids in captivity. I don't believe there has been a need to import them for almost 20 years or more, due to their success in the hobby. After keeping this species for some time, I do know quite a bit about them. I'm not jumping into a new project and trying to find a standard for them ;) There is a certain point as to what is practical. With giant's its much harder to keep 7 or 8 animals, or possibly more, to gather this data than to have a dozen or so individuals of another species, such as lets say Ball Pythons.


Brian I do agree with you on this. However the standard most people seem to go for that keep this species as a pet, or even to possibly breed these animals in the future is to feed larger meals less often. I am worried more on keeping the species as healthy as I can, rather than growing them as large as I can in an amount of time, or seeing them eat a large meal as I stand in awe at it.

I do see the animals browsing their cage from time to time when they are hungry. I see it with some larger animals I have, come their feeding day. The difference between the Rock Pythons such as Burms, and AfRocks is they are more so ambush predators than active hunters. I've come to understand that Retics will actively hunt out food when they can, from what I have been told by other breeders. I've only kept one Retic as of now (and I do not own it now). Maybe you can clarify this?

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Originally Posted by Mendel's Balls

You may like this link as well.....

http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/210/2/iii

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thats an initeresting article... i think one should consider in the wild that not all burms or retics eat infrequently. the article states that large pythons have adapted, and respond well to long periods of fasting. whcih makes sense since they are sit and wait predators... these animals can smell their prey and i wouldnt be suprised if they seek out game trails to catch prey.

on the flip side one should consider how these pythons have adapted to times when food is plentiful... these animals display both r and k select traits. a good follow up to that study would be to see the effects of frequent feeding on growth and reproduction.

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Originally Posted by Dr Satan

thats an initeresting article... i think one should consider in the wild that not all burms or retics eat infrequently. the article states that large pythons have adapted, and respond well to long periods of fasting. whcih makes sense since they are sit and wait predators... these animals can smell their prey and i wouldnt be suprised if they seek out game trails to catch prey.

on the flip side one should consider how these pythons have adapted to times when food is plentiful... these animals display both r and k select traits. a good follow up to that study would be to see the effects of frequent feeding on growth and reproduction.

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I forget what r and k selected traits are again? Can you refresh my memory?

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Originally Posted by Mendel's Balls

I forget what r and k selected traits are again? Can you refresh my memory?

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here is a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-selection

I'm really not trying to hijack this thread or change topic but I have a couple questions due to the fact I'm a new owner of a female burm. You seriously took a 225g female (pair 1) and in a couple months (2 months) is wieghed over 700g!!! Now I feed my girl one rat pup/mouse that is slightly bigger than her girth every Friday. Should I make the prey item a little bit smaller and make it about every 3-4 days?

I'd say stick with what you feel best, as long as the animal is kept healthy and happy. Yes she weighs a little over than now. She did put that size on in a couple months time. I'm expecting her to slow down in her growth by the time she turns 1.5 years old. It should slow substantially bt then. If you want to feed your Burm every 3-4 days, smaller meals, and feel comfortable with it then go for it. If you need anymore help or advice just shoot me an email at Pmbivittatus@hotmail.com.