Albino Ball Python vs Burmese

Hi Everyone!

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have somewhat of a stupid question but I searched the interwebs and came up empty. I recently acquired a 6 year old albino python that while although not neglected, she could have had better conditions. The person I got her from had in turn gotten her from someone else recently. This is where the problem arises. This girl is big, she is about 5.5 ft long. When I got her he said "I am not sure if it's a ball python or a burmese python" (this guy was definitely in over his head and didn't know much about snakes). My question is, are there any visible differences between a burmese and a ball python (aside from the size). Could it possibly be a very underfed burmese or just a big BP girl? Here are a couple of pics. She is not too happy right now and will not cooperate for pics. I have yet to see her curl up like my other balls but I am not sure if that is indicative of anything.

-Diego

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps7064dc99.jpghttp://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps3d08d6e7.jpghttp://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps5387d88f.jpg

That is definitely a burm!


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its a burm

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Originally Posted by missriss2012

That is definitely a burm!

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x2

Lol. Ya 5 years old. Riiiiiiiiiiiight. You got your self a beautiful burm

oh man, I am admittedly somewhat new to pythons (not snakes) so inexperience just kicked my ass. I assume then that it is not 5-6 yrs old then and I just inherited a snake I can't take care of...
any one want to buy a beautiful albino burmese python? :D

My wife is going to kill me...

if it is 5 yrs old, you have one malnourished snake on your hands and that may be an important factor as to how you go about caring for it. If it has been underfed then you may want to start with small meals spread out for a while. Hopefully someone with more experience with burms will chime in soon.

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Originally Posted by DJone2

oh man, I am admittedly somewhat new to pythons (not snakes) so inexperience just kicked my ass. I assume then that it is not 5-6 yrs old then and I just inherited a snake I can't take care of...
any one want to buy a beautiful albino burmese python? :D

My wife is going to kill me...

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Be very careful. Burms have restrictions on them in some states/communities, and they cannot be transported across state lines legally. I would check your state/local laws before you do anything.

Diego,

I know nothing of your knowledge/experience level, but please consider carefully whether that animal is best served in your care. My guess, as you couldn't identify it, was that you aren't experienced with large constrictors (not a slam -neither am I). Please research carefully what you've gotten yourself into. Burms get very large. That animal needs a lot of space, the food costs will be high, and you must have careful procedures in place to avoid future accidents. If need be, I'm sure people in this community will help you find an appropriate home for that burm.

Your assessment is correct as my experience with overall reptiles is good but I definitely would not consider it extensive when it comes to snakes. Based on the stated age, I assumed she was a ball python. I have no interest in keeping her at this point and definitely will be looking to re-home her to someone with more experience. Any help would be appreciated.

Diego

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Originally Posted by swansonbb

Diego,

I know nothing of your knowledge/experience level, but please consider carefully whether that animal is best served in your care. My guess, as you couldn't identify it, was that you aren't experienced with large constrictors (not a slam -neither am I). Please research carefully what you've gotten yourself into. Burms get very large. That animal needs a lot of space, the food costs will be high, and you must have careful procedures in place to avoid future accidents. If need be, I'm sure people in this community will help you find an appropriate home for that burm.

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Originally Posted by DJone2

Your assessment is correct as my experience with overall reptiles is good but I definitely would not consider it extensive when it comes to snakes. Based on the stated age, I assumed she was a ball python. I have no interest in keeping her at this point and definitely will be looking to re-home her to someone with more experience. Any help would be appreciated.

Diego

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Maybe see if there's a reptile rescue in your area that would take it?

What state do you live in? There might be folks on here that live in your state willing to adopt her from you.

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Originally Posted by OctagonGecko729

What state do you live in? There might be folks on here that live in your state willing to adopt her from you.

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I am in San Diego, CA. I am going to call a local breeder and see if he is willing to take her. Expensive lesson on my end.

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Originally Posted by OctagonGecko729

What state do you live in? There might be folks on here that live in your state willing to adopt her from you.

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PLEASE say South Dakota....or even Minnesota or Iowa for that matter...:D

So I just told my wife.... looks like I'll be on the couch all week.

Sorry to hear. Just let her hold him and hug him...He'll probably even give her a good "hug" back...LMAO:D I'm sure she'll grow to love him just like my wife has grown to love my BPs! Our BPs now even sleep with us in our bedroom!

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Originally Posted by ballophile

PLEASE say South Dakota....or even Minnesota or Iowa for that matter...:D

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You seem to have missed the part where it is illegal to transport burms over state lines.

No restrictions on snakes in South Dakota. Only need permits for certain non-reptile species:

http://reptilelaws.org/south-dakota-reptile-laws/

Was just HOPING he was in South Dakota

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Originally Posted by ballophile

No restrictions on snakes in South Dakota. Only need permits for certain non-reptile species:

http://reptilelaws.org/south-dakota-reptile-laws/

Was just HOPING he was in South Dakota

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It has nothing to do with state restrictions, it's federal.

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It has nothing to do with state restrictions, it's federal.

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Hmm. One of our members of our local herp society just bought a Tiger Retic from BHB a few months back. Michigan to South Dakota. Are you saying this was an illegal transaction?

Burm!!! :)

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Originally Posted by ballophile

Hmm. One of our members of our local herp society just bought a Tiger Retic from BHB a few months back. Michigan to South Dakota. Are you saying this was an illegal transaction?

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A Reticulated Python is different then a Burmese Python. Research The Lacey Act.

I KNOW the difference. I do find that sooo bizarre. Both are big snakes and of the SAME class and order. SO any dealer can only sell Burms to in-state customers?

Yep, google "federal python ban" and im sure you will get hits.

*Add*:
I was just having some fun at work...not a breeder...just an enthusiast. No need to go off the deep end. If the Burm WAS local, I have a good friend who could have adopted it as he has a lot of experience with big snakes and owns currently owns 3 and is actively looking to add another. SO the BURM would have a great home.

Thank you for correcting me....I learn something new every day.

Definitely a burm bro.

Also, i disagree and am a bit disappointed with all the people that hastily suggest getting rid of the snake. The new laws crushed and destroyed the market value and demand for these magnificent creatures, and you suggest just giving it to a sanctuary or to a breeder? i dont know about the situation in the USA, how the reptile sanctuaries are doing, but i know my local one in munich, and their biggest issues are: aquatic turtles, land turtles, giant snakes, and alligators / giant lizards. These are the ones that come in and never go away, noone takes them.

So now you know my bias, here comes my biased recommendation: Just relax for a little and try it out, try if you can keep the burm healthy. Is it a pet or a burden? you decide. Get in touch with reptile sanctuaries, but not with the intent to get rid of your burm ASAP. Just check out how it goes, how many giant snakes they have, if the numbers are increasing or decreasing. And just try to be open to keeping the burmese, the costs will be considerable, maybe around 80-150 dollars a month for a full-grown adult. If you can keep 10 BPs happy, with the same resources you can also keep one full-sized adult burmese happy. Also, try to talk to people that have giant snakes, a lot. You will see that they love their giant snakes and dont see them as a burden.

You posted this in "General BPs", and here you have all the mini python lovers, a third of which would strangle a burmese to keep 10 more ball pythons. If you cannot handle the snake or economically cannot make ends meet while having it, by all means, try to find someone who takes it. But consider rising to the challenge. I mean, deep down inside you, wouldnt you like to have a giant snake as a pet? If you could? And i think it wouldnt be bad for you or the snake if you try to give it another few months, or a year.

By the way, its possible to breed hybrids of burmese python and ball python :D

Best regards, and dont let the negativity towards your burmese in this thread overwhelm you.

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Originally Posted by Kurtilein

Also, i disagree and am a bit disappointed with all the people that hastily suggest getting rid of the snake. The new laws crushed and destroyed the market value and demand for these magnificent creatures, and you suggest just giving it to a sanctuary or to a breeder? i dont know about the situation in the USA, how the reptile sanctuaries are doing, but i know my local one in munich, and their biggest issues are: aquatic turtles, land turtles, giant snakes, and alligators / giant lizards. These are the ones that come in and never go away, noone takes them.

So now you know my bias, here comes my biased recommendation: Just relax for a little and try it out, try if you can keep the burm healthy. Is it a pet or a burden? you decide. Get in touch with reptile sanctuaries, but not with the intent to get rid of your burm ASAP. Just check out how it goes, how many giant snakes they have, if the numbers are increasing or decreasing. And just try to be open to keeping the burmese, the costs will be considerable, maybe around 80-150 dollars a month for a full-grown adult. If you can keep 10 BPs happy, with the same resources you can also keep one full-sized adult burmese happy. Also, try to talk to people that have giant snakes, a lot. You will see that they love their giant snakes and dont see them as a burden.

You posted this in "General BPs", and here you have all the mini python lovers, a third of which would strangle a burmese to keep 10 more ball pythons. If you cannot handle the snake or economically cannot make ends meet while having it, by all means, try to find someone who takes it. But consider rising to the challenge. I mean, deep down inside you, wouldnt you like to have a giant snake as a pet? If you could? And i think it wouldnt be bad for you or the snake if you try to give it another few months, or a year.

By the way, its possible to breed hybrids of burmese python and ball python :D

Best regards, and dont let the negativity towards your burmese in this thread overwhelm you.

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It is a violation of this sites Terms Of Service to encourage or endorse illegal activity

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8. No posts may be made that encourage or endorse criminal activity, either explicit or implied.

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As is :

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if a "bleeped out" word is obvious in its content, it will be treated the same as if it had been spelled out

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He's already said he's looking to rehome it, that he's not capable of taking care of it properly, plus his wife doesn't want him to have it. If fed properly, this burm has the potential to double in length and without going into that fully prepared for the consequences, it's a bad idea to keep it. He got the snake and assumed it was a ball python, not a burm. I don't think anybody on here is being negative towards burms, they're just giving OP some advice as to what to do with the snake now that he knows what it is and that he doesn't want to keep it.

Also, it's downright offensive to suggest that a BP owner would strangle a burm for 10 ball pythons. People here own snakes because they love snakes and I seriously doubt they would kill a burm just because it's a burm and not a ball.

123456

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Originally Posted by Kurtilein

Also, i disagree and am a bit disappointed with all the people that hastily suggest getting rid of the snake. The new laws crushed and destroyed the market value and demand for these magnificent creatures, and you suggest just giving it to a sanctuary or to a breeder?

You posted this in "General BPs", and here you have all the mini python lovers, a third of which would strangle a burmese to keep 10 more ball pythons.

But consider rising to the challenge. I mean, deep down inside you, wouldnt you like to have a giant snake as a pet?

By the way, its possible to breed hybrids of burmese python and ball python :D

Best regards, and dont let the negativity towards your burmese in this thread overwhelm you.

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Most are recommending the OP find the snake a new home because he may not be prepared to keep a giant: he even admitted this in post #10. Giants aren't a type of snake to take lightly, and though some start out with a giant and are just fine a lot of people ARE NOT ready (or able) to keep a giant. If the OP isn't comfortable with a giant then he should definitely find it a good home; there's nothing wrong with admitting what you can and cannot keep.

What does "a third of [us would] strangle and burm to keep 10 more BPs" even mean? Maybe I read it wrong but that rubbed me the wrong way.

Hybrid breeding is commonly frowned upon, I would personally not breed this burm to anything other than a burm if the OP keeps it. With the Lacey Act moving babies (even Burm hybrid babies that are under the Lacey Act now too) would be hard to do, but from the sounds of it the OP has no interest in breeding at this point in time anyway.

I see no negativity in this thread, only people giving advice which may be in the best interest to the OP and to the snake.

had to delete my last post after seeing what was posted after i wrote it.

just want to point out that i consider it to be totally fine to break laws if the laws do not make sense AND you are aware of the potential risks and consequences. Also i do not think that the forum guidelines in this forum are intended to apply to a crime such as "moving a snake across state lines without harming the snake or anyone". I think its a much more general thing, something added to all forums for legal reasons.

But doing things like breaking the Lacey act and illegally moving snakes will only make it harder on the herp hobby as a whole. Sure, it's burms now, but in three years it could be ball pythons or corn snakes, or iguanas or beardies. You breaking the law and suggesting others do the same does nothing but hurt everybody else.

You know that phrase 'Somebody always has to ruin it for the rest of us'? You're that somebody.

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Originally Posted by Kurtilein

had to delete my last post after seeing what was posted after i wrote it.

just want to point out that i consider it to be totally fine to break laws if the laws do not make sense AND you are aware of the potential risks and consequences. Also i do not think that the forum guidelines in this forum are intended to apply to a crime such as "moving a snake across state lines without harming the snake or anyone". I think its a much more general thing, something added to all forums for legal reasons.

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No, the rule is very clear. No posts

If the OP were to get caught the snake would very likely be killed, the OP could be faced with a $10,000 fine and a year in jail. Further events like those hurt our hobby and generally will bring about more rules and regulations on our hobby. Most of the members of this site are very against things like that.

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Originally Posted by Kurtilein

had to delete my last post after seeing what was posted after i wrote it.

just want to point out that i consider it to be totally fine to break laws if the laws do not make sense AND you are aware of the potential risks and consequences. Also i do not think that the forum guidelines in this forum are intended to apply to a crime such as "moving a snake across state lines without harming the snake or anyone". I think its a much more general thing, something added to all forums for legal reasons.

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Holy cow.
This has got to be one of the most rubbish and nonsense statements I have ever read on this forum....


Sorry to say that the forum rules does apply to the Lacey Act. It applies to ANY and ALL forms of illegal movement. No matter how good your intentions are, please stop promoting illegal action. We're talking about live animals here. You are condoning the act of putting innocent lives in danger. If someone ever got caught, that puts the keeper and animal in danger. The animal will be confiscated and most likely terminated. Not to mention you are endangering our rights to keep these animals. The government is already trying to include other species (including ball pythons) in the Lacey Act.
We don't need to give the government any additional reasons to advance those laws that will hurt our community.

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Originally Posted by DJone2

So I just told my wife.... looks like I'll be on the couch all week.

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It'll be funny in a few months. :)
What a beauty though. I'd take a few pictures to keep.

Thanks for the replies guys, I really appreciate the help. I am sorry if started forum arguments regarding my options. As far as keeping the snake, I would love to and I am comfortable I would provide it with the proper husbandry but we just had a baby girl, and although unlikely something would happen, the thought of a 15 footer breaking out of a tank would worry me. I am fully aware of the Lacey Act as I am an avid dart frog collector and quite familiar with the law, so this girl is staying local. I am currently calling local resources that would like to keep her as a pet. I will not turn it over to a rescue as I want to make sure she goes to a knowledgeable burm owner.
Funny enough, after my wife cooled off, she started playing with her and commented on how sweet she was. But given that we live in a condo in Downtown San Diego, space is at a premium.

Thanks once again for all the help. If any Local people would like to inquire, feel free to reach out.

Diego

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Originally Posted by Poseidon

It'll be funny in a few months. :)
What a beauty though. I'd take a few pictures to keep.

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She is a good sport about it. I have done worse, like having her get home to a 125g tank in the middle of our living room. She is gorgeous and would love to keep her, but it is what it is. She will be well-taken care of until she finds a forever home.

That is a very pretty burm. Hope you find her a good home.

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Well, this story has a happy ending apparently. A referral from a friend keeps burms here locally and would love to have her. he has a 125g tank waiting for her :banana:
Thanks for your help everyone!

Glad it's all been worked out. :)

wow WTF 10.000 dollars and 1 year in prison?

i have been wrong. Moving certain snakes across state lines is not possible if you dont get caught, with that kind of risk attached it is impossible. One year in a prison? OK, i really didnt expect this and this is shocking for me. I have been wrong, noone should ever risk getting into prison for 1 year and getting killed in that prison, never. I just expected the laws to be more rational than they seem to be.

And i now got one or two strikes on my account. I made two mistakes: My first mistake is that i underestimated how extreme the penalty for moving a snake across state lines is. 10000 dollars and one year in prison, damn thats heavy, i falsely assumed it would be a fine or something. Many people do not survive 1 year in USA prison! They leave earlier in a body bag. Oh no, i violated policies, i censored it myself, which is as if i had spelled it out. Terrible, i guess i just exposed unsuspecting minors to a bad word. Censor it ASAP! But really, DO NOT DO IT, do not move big snakes across state lines, these penalties are draconian, if you are living in the USA you must accept this, or they will potentially destroy your future with 1 year of prison.

My second mistake is that i refuse to follow orders that do not make sense. I wonder if this will kill my account or not, if it does..... my IP is variable, if my account gets destroyed ill be back with a new identity. But when i refuse to follow orders, i am aware of the consequences. If all fails i guess i need a new email adress and a new username and, well, i dont have a stable IP anyway. And i have a certain degree of immunity.

Dont give anyone reason to put you in prison for 1 year or to pay 10000 dollars <--- and this shall override anything i previously said.

Hey, I'm not sure where you are from and even though many people agree with you, that simply moving a snake across state lines from one responsible party to another seems "OK" it is not. Nor is disregarding laws you don't agree with. Again I'm sure many people here do not agree with that law but it's something people have to lobby for to get it changed.

Are there far more concerning things to worry about than a burm crossing state lines?? Yes. Will the law be actively enforced? Probably not and if it does get enforced the sentencing is not set as what is written. Prisons are crowded and the chances of somebody being housed for a year for a violation are probably slim, but I would not want to "test" the waters.

Since reptile/animal legislation is a great media topic, pushing the limits will do further damage. The herp world is not huge in the big picture, and people some don't think anything of banning certain things as long as it's not their thing. It's sad, but true.

Ban a snake and it's no big deal to most people, ban a golden retriever and you'll have an uproar.

It's best to play by the rules, set a good example, educate and be responsible.

At least this story ends well.