Few questions about owning burmese

What he's saying is, that is you must feed rats, then they need about that many every 2 weeks to maintain their body weight. I prefer rabbits as they are easy to find and get the job done with one rabbit, rather than X-number of rats. I can get rabbits for about $1-$1.50/lb. My 7.5ft female boa gets a 1.5-2lb rabbit every two weeks(or 3-4 large rats, whatever I have on hand). She tends to get hungrier quicker when she eats rats, and goes to the bathroom more often. The rabbits keep her sated for the full two weeks and she doesn't have a bowel movement for quite awhile.

With a Burmese, you will end up needing to feed rabbits. You really can't get around it unless you really, must, have to feed rats(why, for the love of pete... that would take an hour to feed all of those). I know even Rodent Pro sells rabbits of every size.

i still dont understand, would you have to feed the 9 rats in one day or through out the 2 weeks? lol

It's one feeding, every two weeks. Rabbits will simply get the job done faster and IMO, will keep the snake fuller, longer(better for you).

because they get so big. they won't grow as they should on just a single rat or two as they get much larger and need bigger food sources such as rabbits or pigs.

And as uro mentioned, suri's are just a specific locality of BCC and they get a bit larger than your normal redtail. I suggested one of those since they get bigger and dealing with a 11-12 foot redtail will be more likely so simulate a burm than a 8 or 9 foot boa will

I'll just say that the size of your average surinam is exaggerated. Most suris will not reach 11-12'. 8-9' is more typical.. and colombian BCIs can reach these sizes as well. Either BCI or BCC make a good intermediate snake.

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Originally Posted by BaLLPAddICT

jeff, you sell boas? do you have a website?

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i am actually not much of a boa guy myself lol although we do sell a couple boas they dont top rio bravo quality they are just cbb:)

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Originally Posted by MarkS

I'm certainly not some big expert on burms, but I've got three of them currently. While most of the time they are very easy to handle mellow snakes, they have an INCREDIBLE feeding response. On days when I'm cleaning rat cages (which are two rooms away) I've noticed that they are crusing around their cages hunting and will sometimes even strike at the glass when I walk by. It doesn't matter if they ate a couple of weeks ago or an hour ago, if they smell food, they're on the hunt.

You have to be careful around them and learn to read their moods well and not let yourself be lulled into complacency. Most of the time they are just gentle giants, but they react on instinct thats been hardwired into them for eons and if there is the smell of prey in the air, it must be dinnertime... (even if you can't smell it yourself).

It's always a good idea to have someone with you to handle anything over 10 feet. Quite frankly, with the big ones I won't even change the water bowl unless someone else is at least standing in the doorway watching.

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also about a burms feeding responce(as mark already covered it) isextreme. ive been bitten 3 times on the face from that 11 footer. the best advice anyone can give you about handling a burm or rtb is never let your guard down. ive done that 3 times and my face required some major stitces. the tinyest bit of dog/cat/rat/rabbit hair will set them off on you:sabduel:

edit: for rabbits and rats try www.rodentpro.com they ship to you if you cant find any rabbit breeders:) and trust me on this, it is extremely easy to switch a boa and burm to f/t:)

wow, i wouldnt think that they were so nippy, and stitches? its that bad? are you sure its not just your snake, do you other guys get bit like that from your burms?

Some burms can be aggressive when they are in their enclosure. I guess it all depends on the snake. My Burm is about 12.5' and very docile. I feed 5 - 7 lb rabbits every two weeks. She'll eat either p/k or live. I keep an extremely good eye on her when I feed live.

Burms, like all giant pythons have 4 rows of teeth on the top and strong jaw muscles. Most of the time what they get in their mouth, they get to keep.

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Originally Posted by Shelby

I'll just say that the size of your average surinam is exaggerated. Most suris will not reach 11-12'. 8-9' is more typical.. and colombian BCIs can reach these sizes as well. Either BCI or BCC make a good intermediate snake.

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Didn't say that all will, but you are more likely to end up dealing with an 11' suri than a normal mutt BCI growing to 11'