Beginner just bought a Burm

I just bought my 12 y/o a 5 month-old albino Burm. Although we've had other pets, this is our first snake. He was purchased from a reputable family-owned pet store that we have bought other animals and supplies from for well over a year. When we asked about a good snake for a beginnerr, we were told by one of their employees, who raised this Burm and many of their other snakes, that the Burm would be a good one to start with. Since I've always had an outstanding relationship with this shop, (I even volunteer there periodically), I trusted the employee's recommendation of the Burm as a good beginner snake. However, everything that I'm reading on the internet says that Burms AREN'T good beginner snakes. We were told that he would get to be around 12', which I think we can handle. We were also told that if he got to be too big, we could always sell him or give him to a zoo. Again, based on my reading, I'm finding out that this is NOT the case.

Have we just bitten off more than we can chew? At this point, I'd rather disappoint my son and possibly strain an otherwise wonderful relationship with the shop than be forced to deal with a snake that we aren't yet experienced enough to handle.

Please help! :O
Melissa

yeah i have to say that you have. i would give it back. unless you feel you are completely ready to feed a humungous burm 8lb rabbits (by the way they have killer feeding responses) and remove a humungous snake that could possibly be in a bad move to clean it's enclosure. or risk the chance that one day you might make a mistake and have the slightest smell of rat on you and get tottaly nailed by a 12-14'(sometimes bigger) snake. personally as babies they are anything but hard to keep. but as adults they take precaution,expeirience, and a ton of time. so long story short unless you are completely ready for things like that give it back. oh and by the way they grow extremely fast. Rex332's burm has grown in girth and length in the month that he has had his. good luck with your decison :)

Brian

Take it back....definitely take it back. Burms are not ideal beginner snakes, and can reach lengths of 15-18 feet. I don't know what those people were thinking to sell you that! :eek: If you don't think you can handle a snake that big, which is definitely a huge responsibilty, don't think you can raise it temporarily and then give it away later. Find something you can be comfortable for the life of the snake. Ball pythons and corn are ideal beginner snakes. Try researching online, there is a wealth of information available.

Melissa, I'm in no way a snake expert having recently gotten into the hobby with 2 ball pythons, however, I am a mom. Quite honestly as much as I love albino burmese I wouldn't consider them a good starter snake especially for a 12 year old and a family w/o snake experience. From all I've read and seen on this forum they are a major committment as they grow quite large and quite fast as well they tend to be pretty nippy babies.

It's of course completely up to you, but you shouldn't feel bad if you wish to return the snake and ask for a switch to another one. After all this is a years/decades long committment and you should have a snake that fits your family best. If the pet store can't understand that so be it.....they seem to have given you some pretty misleading information. Zoos will generally NOT take pet snakes, most larger zoos get many many calls. Lots of larger snakes end up in rescues because people didn't know just how big and how much work an adult burmese or reticulated python is.

There are many many other choices. Perhaps you and your son can do some research online, get the advice of some really experienced folks here about appropriate first snakes for young people and sort out your caging options, that way your son might not be so disappointed if you feel you need to rethink the burm purchase.

One idea might be a corn snake. They come in an amazing variety of colors and patterns and are very easy to care for (other than they like to try to escape). Ball pythons with some good research first about heat and humidity can be excellent first snakes if your son would prefer a bit larger snake that is more heavy bodied but they do have more specific requirements so good research and questions in the forum help a lot (that goes for all snakes really).

Best of luck on your decision. I know it's hard, I have 4 kids of my own but for our family anyway the ball python is just perfect and both of ours are calm enough that all the kids, even the 4 year old can handle them with appropriate supervision. The older ones even do weekly feeding.


~~Joanna~~

As everyone said, take it back.

And a good beginner snake is a ball python or a corn snake.

i hate to say it, especially since iu have a burm, but if its your first snake, you shouldnt keep it. take it back i hate to tell you, but your friends at the petshop told you complete BS just so they could sell the snake. 12' is if you got a male. you got a female, your lookn at a potentially 20ft+ snake eating huge pigs or goats.

still think its a good beginner snake?

Thanks so much for the advice. I'm broken hearted right now, but not as upset as I'd be in a year with a monster snake on my hands. If it was any other shop, I'd be hopping mad and spread the word that their employees are full of b.s. As it is, I'll break the news to my son in the morning, with a promise of getting him an appropriate first snake. First thing Monday, I'll go to the shop and talk to the owner, possibly with a copy of this thread in hand. They have a pretty strict return policy on live animals. However, I'm hoping that given our relationship, she'll take it back or give us an appropriate first snake in exchange. I'm pretty sure she will and there will be no harm done to our relationship. OTOH, I've lost a lot of respect for this particular employee, to the point of being furious with him. If he'll feed me a line of b.s., then God knows what he's saying to Joe Shmo off the street. Needless to say, I'm not taking his word on anything other than guppies from hence forth.
Melissa

In tears but eternally greatful for your help.

Edited to add: The Burm is a male. My son just came downstairs and I showed him this thread. He still wants a snake but agreed that taking this one back was the smart thing to do. Time to shop for a truly appropriate first snake.

You have made the right choice a burm is not a good first, 2nd or even 3rd snake, heck I woould never recommend one to anyone, I also own one but you have to be prepaired for what is comming.

Melissa, I think you made a very wise decision tho a hard one. I'm very sure there's a lovely snake out there for your son and family to care for. I would suggest that maybe before choosing another one you look at the options, ask some questions here and make, with your son, a really informed decision.

It was also suggested to us once we decided to go with a specific snake to set up it's home a few days early to get everything sorted out as far as temps & humidity, hides, water dish, etc. Then once we got our snake to let it settle in and not handle it or bother it at all other than to remove feces/urates and refresh it's water for at least one week. That's hard to do but pays off big time when it comes time to offer it's first food after that settling in period.

We followed all the advice of this forum and Melissa it's paid off wonderfully! We are thrilled with both our snakes and they fit our family like a glove (but not a snakeskin one! LOL)

Best of luck with the talk with your son and try not to feel bad, you really were given terrible advice by that pet store employee.


~~Jo~~

i am so sorry that you got bad advice about the burm. :( on the other hand i am VERY happy that you were able to find the correct information and save yourself from all kinds of surprise and trouble later on. you have made the absolute right choice in deciding to return the burm. i hope that your son will not be too heartbroken, but there are SO many other snakes that make good pets that he will be able to handle and interact with for longer than just the few short months while it is a baby. as mentioned ball pythons and corn snakes are two of the very best choices. let us know how it all turns out on monday, and if you decide to get something else to replace the burm. i hope to see you posting pics of a new and much more manageable beginner snake soon. :)

Oh just saw your edit on your post. Tell your son I think he's a cool kid to handle this so well. My kids that are 12 and 14 have been reading this thread over my shoulder and are sending good thoughts his way to get a really cool snake this time. They vote for ball python but then they are very biased (and too darn young to vote anyways! LOL)


~~Joanna~~

glad to see your son is willing to agree. what size range are you looking for? a ball python is a good starter snakes, if you have patience. my advice would be to return the snake, at least get store credit, and wait a couple weeks so you can research a particular snake. ball pythons only get to about 5ft max, and thats for a female. they can be picky eaters though. id say go with a boa, but even males get 6-8ft. although, boas are really calm, the only time ive been bit is from a stuipid feeding error.

You made a good choice to take the burm back. Those types of snake sales at pet stores are hurting the snake keeping hobby by causing local governments to place restrictions on pet snakes. If you could print out a copy of a caresheet on burms and give it to the pet store manager I think that my help also.

Here is a link to a burm caresheet:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=16

Jason, I'm thinking of no more than 5', preferably closer to 3. I spent 2 more hours online last night researching Corns & Balls. The Corns seem to be very easy but other than being picky eaters, the Balls seem to be just as easy.

Another thing that I have to consider is that we have 2 dogs - a 40 lb. Lab/Collie mix and a 12 lb. Shih Tzu. Is the Ball going to be a threat to the Shih Tzu? What makes me :mad: is that I bought the Shih Tzu from the shop in December. They knew that not only do we have 2 dogs, we have a SMALL dog! Heck, I take him with me when I volunteer there most of the time. I never dreamed, until my husband mentioned last night, that BOTH dogs would be in danger from the Burm if he got loose and hungry as even a yearling.

Somebody please pass the Advil. My headache is growing by the hour. :disbelief

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Originally Posted by melissafred

Is the Ball going to be a threat to the Shih Tzu?
Somebody please pass the Advil. My headache is growing by the hour. :disbelief

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No a Ball wont be any problem to a Shih Tzu, a burm would have if loose but a ball is harmless to all house hold pets that arent rodents.

The Ball should be just fine around the small dog. I'd actually worry more about the dog being nippy toward the snake and just generally keep them apart as a matter of course.

I completely agree with Rex's advice to take some time to get all your ducks in a row before finalizing your decision and actually bringing home the next snake. That store owes you at the very least a store credit if not an actual cash refund and a big apology.

Please feel totally free to ask any questions you have about either Corns or Balls here. This forum and it's members are a huge reason why our family is so happy with our choice of Ball (Royal) Pythons. They helped us with real life experience to set up our enclosures, we use Sterlite tubs and settle in both our snakes. One of ours is a rehome and we wouldn't have had the confidence to take on this snake if not for the knowledge that we had the resources of this forum to back us up.

Best of luck. I hope the visit to the pet store goes well tomorrow.


~~Joanna~~

sounds like a ball python is perfect for you! just dont let the dog and the snake interact and youd befine. ive had my boas by my old cat before and nothing happened. just play it safe and keep them seperated

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Originally Posted by melissafred

I just bought my 12 y/o a 5 month-old albino Burm. Although we've had other pets, this is our first snake.
Melissa

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I read this 1st sentance and stoped, I don't have anything positive to say but all I ask you to do is read the facts on burm care and then come back and read what you started out with here and ask yourself if you really want your 12/yr old owning one. :rolleyes:

i have seen burms reach 17 feet and your son forget the dogs your son could be in danger and you should really ask your self if you are even ready to own a snake.and if u definitly are ready to own a snake then try and get a snake liek a ball python a corn snake or even a red tail boa. but i think a red tail boa is like more of a second snake. and yes ball pythons are great snakes and relativly easy to care for and with age should get super docile.( with the right care) i myself would NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER own a burm seen weird video clips and nasty pics:eyepoppin

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Originally Posted by NocturnalBC

I read this 1st sentance and stoped, I don't have anything positive to say but all I ask you to do is read the facts on burm care and then come back and read what you started out with here and ask yourself if you really want your 12/yr old owning one. :rolleyes:

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Well, you should try reading the rest along with the rest of the thread. She was mis-informed byt the pet store clerk.

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Originally Posted by drdingo21

Well, you should try reading the rest along with the rest of the thread. She was mis-informed byt the pet store clerk.

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you all should. she already said that shes taking it back, i dont think you guys need to jump all over her anymore

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Originally Posted by rex322

you all should. she already said that shes taking it back, i dont think you guys need to jump all over her anymore

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Amen, bro she never needed to be jumped all over to begin with,

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Originally Posted by rex322

you all should. she already said that shes taking it back, i dont think you guys need to jump all over her anymore

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How was my post jumping all over her!? I believe I ASKED her to read up on the care! Sounds like your either a regular at some child chat board because you obviously aren't used to adult posts or you aren't very edjucated and should read a persons post a few times so it'll sink in before you post ridiculous comments making something out of nothing.

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Originally Posted by Python-77

Amen, bro she never needed to be jumped all over to begin with,

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Nobody jump all over her man, people just voiced their concerns and opinions. You should be saying Amen to that!

You did. And there is no reason to insult the people that called you out on it. Had you read the entire thread you would have seen she is taking it back. Instead you post a care sheet on a snake that she isn't going to even keep. Kinda like a child spouting useless information.

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Originally Posted by drdingo21

You did. And there is no reason to insult the people that called you out on it. Had you read the entire thread you would have seen she is taking it back. Instead you post a care sheet on a snake that she isn't going to even keep. Kinda like a child spouting useless information.

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HAHA, wow that post was well thought out. Good Job!

Good one. Your a real mental giant, eh?

Okay enough please. Let's not give a poor impression to this woman and her family or anyone else new to this forum. We're here to help each other and therefore help the creatures we care about.

Enough said....


~~Jo~~

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Originally Posted by NocturnalBC

I don't have anything positive to say :rolleyes:

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We can all see that by your last couple posts good luck to you in your life as a loser.

alright ya'll don't make me bust out the stick. things have been awfully nice around here lately and i'd like to keep it that way.

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Originally Posted by NocturnalBC

How was my post jumping all over her!? I believe I ASKED her to read up on the care! Sounds like your either a regular at some child chat board because you obviously aren't used to adult posts or you aren't very edjucated and should read a persons post a few times so it'll sink in before you post ridiculous comments making something out of nothing.

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Seems like your the one with little knowledge of these boards 1. They are not adult boards children and teens post here also. Now let me explain how a forum works so that you may better understand. A person posts onto the board with a question. Other users read that question and all replys to the post before they post. The post continues on until the question is answered.(That happened way before your first post) Now everyone once in a while someone jumps the gun (much like you did) and starts posting with little knowledge on the subject. Now most people (unlike you) when the relize they are wrong man-up and appoligize. I hope this helps your future posting here.

nice python, nice

wow i love this site lol.

Brian

OK, last warning all, this thread may be locked if insults are going to be thrown, a Mod has already spoke up about this. Bottom line, had the whole post she wrote been read IN ITS ENTIRETY, this problem would have never been started. So, settle down and play nice. We are suppose to be a community that is able to boast helpfulness, friendliness and courtesy to others.. not this type of rude behavior. Remember, first impressions are those that last.

I try to refrain from replying to threads like this because these kinda situations get me fired up. I feel very sorry that Melissa got put into this situation, but the sad thing is that this kinda stuff happens everyday. Melissa was just smart enough to research the animal that she bought....but alot of people would never think of that and just go by the 'word' of the pet store. That is why there are incidents of burms reproducing in the everglades because people let them loose when they got to big, iguanas running wild in the US, and more and more areas that are placing restrictions on reptiles. Melissa, I am sorry if anything that I said sounded like an attack on you....it was ment to be more of an attack on the pet store that put you in this situation. I just hope the next person that they sell the 'beginner' burm too does their research like you :)

Ok, first of all - TRUCE everybody! I'm just a mom who started off with the wrong snake for her kid but thanks to this board, promptly rectified the situation. Nothing worth coming to blows over. Sheesh. :eek:


Second - we are now the proud owners of a one year-old yellow & black Cali King. He's about 2 - 2 1/2 feet long and currently locked down in solitary confinement until he's had a chance to get used to the new digs. After some discussion with the owner, we all thought each other knew more than they did. I thought they understood that while I appreciated and enjoyed snakes, I knew next to zilch about keeping one as a pet. They thought I realized how big the Burm would get. No intentional dishonesty on anyone's part. The shop was great about swapping snakes (luckily, they were the same price) and I still trade with them exclusively and volunteer whenever I can get a few hours. (Although I still have every intention of giving the guy who sold me the snake a good-natured but pointed blast of crap about recommending a Burm as a first snake to anyone ever again as soon as I see him).

So, presuming Houdini (actually "Crash" according to my son) doesn't manage to wiggle out of his cage over night, all is well.

Now, put your company manners on and make nice. :P

Thanks for all the help!
Melissa

How much was the burm? I think they are great animals and would get one....But I have no-one to help me handle when it gets bigger :(

$169.99 He's a 5 month-old albino. Absolutely gorgeous and has a great temperament.

LOL Melissa you talk just like the rest of us moms around here!

Well it sounds like you guys got the right snake and I bet is just lovely. I love the name Crash actually....very cool manly name for a boy's first snake.

Saw your other post about books and bungee cords and had to laff as I glance over at one of my ball's tubs that even tho it's got two strong latches, still has some heavy hardcover novels stacked on top (I'm a freakin worrywort about escapes!) I think they are all parenting books that I should have made my kids read, little good they ever did with me reading em! :oops:

You'll have to keep us up to date on Crash aka Houdini and how he settles in and all that stuff. Us snake nerds eat this stuff up LOL.


~~Joanna~~

:ohmygod: I STARTED WITH A BALL PYTHON THEN GOT A C.REDTAIL / HOG ISLAND BOA.I WAS A LITTLE FREAKED OUT THAT MABY THE BOA WOULD GET TO BIG FOR ME TO HANDLE.BUT I DID LOTS OF READING ON THE NET.WELL EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT A BP AND A BOA WAS OUT THERE.THANK GOD.NOW IM NOT SO WORRIED...I THINK ANY ONE THAT IS GOING TO GET A SNAKE SHOULD STUDY WHAT'S INVOLVED BEFOR THE SNAKE COMES HOME.YOU STILL WILL BE A LITTLE FREAKED BUT THATS NORMAL.WITH MYSELF IM A GRANDFATHER OF 2 MY WORRY WAS WHEN THE KIDS STAY THE NIGHT.A LAGE SNAKE COULD HURT THE KIDS.WOULD THEY IS NOT EVEN A QUESTION. THEY COULD! SO ON THE DOOR TO THE ROOM MY SNAKES ARE IN IS A ALARM,YOU CANT OPEN THE DOOR WITH OUT SETTING IT OFF.UNLESS YOU HAVE THE KEY.THE DOOR HAS A DEAD BOLD ON IT ALSO.THE SCREENS IN THE ROOM ARE BOLTED IN SO THEY CANT BE PUSHED OUT.I KNOW WHAT THIS SOUNDS LIKE.BUT NOW I DONT HAVE TO SLEEP WITH ONE EYE OPEN WHEN THE KIDS ARE HERE.MY TWO SNAKES HAVE A HOLE ROOM.NO TANKS NO CAGE.I NEVER FEED THEM IN THERE.BUT I JUST WOULDENT WANT ONE OF THE KIDS TO WANDER IN THERE..JACQUELYN 2 AND DOUG 1 BOTH HOLD THE SNAKES ALL THE TIME AND LOVE THEM..

Holy caps lock Batman!! :P

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Holy caps lock Batman!! :P

-adam

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:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

It's Not Good To Listen To Pet Store Because There Information Is Often Miss Leading It Just Better To Research Any Animal Before Getting It

http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...2,288&ei=UTF-8

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Originally Posted by python kid

http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...2,288&ei=UTF-8Do you really want something this big in your house?

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Ok now that noone is willing to read this post I believe its time to lock that as there is no longer any usefull information left to post on this subject.