General questions about *giants*

Hello,
I am really curious about these giants you are all talking about. I read a little on the site and checked out all your photos and they look really cool. I don't think I'll ever want to own a giant though..

So a few questions...
How big is the biggest giant here? Can you show me your photos? I think I've seen 10 ft ones, and some 14 ft ones here. I would love to see more. How does their handling differ from a smaller snake? I know you definitely have to be more careful with them.

Is there any myths about giants that you would like to dispel for me? They look kind of terrifying. I did meet the 8 footer and he wasn't that bad. I think a snake larger than that would definitely be intimidating.

Do you all get them as babies so they are more "handleable"? What is feeding time like?

Anything else you would all like to tell me about your giants would be great. I'm just trying to get a feel for a bunch of different snakes.

Thanks,
Thea

Biggest one I know of in captivity at the moment is some 24'+.

I'll post some photos of a girl I had who was just over 10'.

Handling varies. Burms are generally 'lazy', while retics are much more active. It is highly recommended that you have at least 1 person for every 5'-6' of the snake because they are so powerful.

Myths. Hmm. A 49' retic was caught in Asia which turned out to be less than half of that. They can eat humans. Anyone care to share more?

I've owned three. One I got that was supposedly a year old and about 4'-5'. Another I got at a month or so old. And my latest one I got when she was about 7'. Usually myself and buddies recommend you try to get them as soon as possible. Some even right out of the egg. That way you wont have to stress out a baby by moving it to a brand new home.

Feeding time is generally crazy. I always recommend to hook train your giant snake. Start as early as possible. When the snake is not being fed, open the cage and gently rub your snake on the head and grab it. Eventually it will condition your snake that when it's head is not being rubbed when the cage is being opened, that it is feeding time. And when its head is being rubbed, it is not feeding time.

Additional info. A lot of people, myself included, consider retics to be semi-arboreal. They love to climb up in trees. Giant snakes are more than capable of eating larger meals. As with smaller snakes people would suggest the food item has to be the largest part of the snakes body, that rule is not pressured with retics, african rock pythons, and burms. They are capable of eating rodents that weigh just as much as them without regurgitation. Retics are also known for changing colors at certain parts of the day (see pictures).

Pictures...

This was my first retic
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ics/Retic2.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ics/Retic1.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ics/Retic3.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ics/Retic4.jpg

This is my latest retic
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/PICT0732.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/100_0702.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/PICT0831.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/PICT0834.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/PICT0836.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/PICT0608.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/100_0706.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/100_0638.jpg

With your gaint snakes you ALWAYS want another person there with you when they are bigger so you don't get into trouble. A lady a month or two back was killed while giving here retic meds and I think the retic was around the 10 foot range. When I was younger and not following the rule (to have someone there) my 12 burm bit and wraped my arm it took about 30min to get him off and there was alot of bruising and teeth marks all over my hand. Now I don't own any gaints, not to say I won't ever again but even now I am more watchful over my rtb and brb than the balls.

RKO, how did you get that retic out of the tree???? :O

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

RKO, how did you get that retic out of the tree???? :O

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Scented myself with rats and she came chasing after me.

J/K

She wasn't all that high up. About 6 feet off the ground. Didn't put up much of a fight to get down.

We have quite a few burms (ranging from hatchlings to 18 feet).
They are lazy for the most part-until its time to eat then the feeding franzy begins-burms are garbage disposals-they will eat and eat.
As babies, burms tend to be nippy and hissy but with consistent handling they tend to calm down rather quickly. Make sure you have a reliable food source. Caging is also important-make sure the cage can hold temps and humidity and has secure locks.
RKO is 100% correct-hook train!!!!
The bet bit of advice I can give is never ever let your guard down.

Here are some pics of my husband with some of our larger burms-
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...age00014-6.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-07_00014.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-07_00005.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ge00005-41.jpg

At my job we rescued a 10 foot albino burm that weighed only 8 lbs a year ago this month. She had mouth rot, mites, and stuck shed all over her, chewed up by rats, and we honestly didn't think that she would survive the hour drive away from her old owner to our reptile vet. Like I said, a year later, she weighs about 40 lbs now and has made a miraculous recovery, and she's sooo sweet. We use her for our educational programs. This is Gwen as of a few weeks ago.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...DSC00015-3.jpg

Wow, this ended up being a great thread. Killer pics everybody!!!

Wow. Thank you everyone. I really appreciate your kind responses. That large snake up above is hugely intimidating. I am not sure if I would be brave enough to get near it. I've only graduated to 8 footers. LOL. I'd love to actually come and see some larger ones up close though. Does anyone in Seattle have one I can check out? I'd love to come out there and get some information from you all.

There was a program on Giants on Animal Planet but I missed it. Does anyone have a copy of it they can send me? I'd be more than happy to pay for shipping. If there are any other snake programs you have let me know. There has been a lot on but I missed them all. The one on Giants I only saw the end it and it was about a guy who almost was killed by it.

I know that these snakes are strong and have a prey drive. On this show called "Peculiar Pets" there was a little boy who had a 15 footer. She wouldn't leave the compound even though the dad tried to place her back in the forest. It was really interesting to see.

Anyways, I loved your photos. Very cool!
Thanks so much!
Thea

Our burmy boy is a delight...I just love him to bits. =) Very inquisitive and he really seems to enjoy exploring (or he's just hungry and looking for MORE FOOD! most likely, hehe).

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...desdec7_02.jpg
This picture is over a year old (sorry =P), but he looks the same...just a bit longer and a bit heavier.

My boy was a few years ago when I got him and not hook trained; I never thought about trying to train him...dunno if it would stick at this point (well his teethys would definitely stick in my hand as I tried to rub his head). But he knows when it's feeding time. When it isn't feeding time, we let him just slither out of his cage and he knows it's "no fuzzies" time.

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Originally Posted by cassandra

Our burmy boy is a delight...I just love him to bits. =) Very inquisitive and he really seems to enjoy exploring (or he's just hungry and looking for MORE FOOD! most likely, hehe).

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...desdec7_02.jpg
This picture is over a year old (sorry =P), but he looks the same...just a bit longer and a bit heavier.

My boy was a few years ago when I got him and not hook trained; I never thought about trying to train him...dunno if it would stick at this point (well his teethys would definitely stick in my hand as I tried to rub his head). But he knows when it's feeding time. When it isn't feeding time, we let him just slither out of his cage and he knows it's "no fuzzies" time.

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That's pretty cool. How big is he? How big do the Burmese pythons get? I forgot. Does he just come out of his cage and hang out with you? Do you have other animals in your home as well? What sort of cage do you keep him in? Do you have others there to help you with him in case he gets crazy?

burms have the typical python size difference between males and females, with females being generally longer and heavier-bodied as adults.

You can probably expect a burm to hit 18+ feet as an older adult. I know I've read of 24 and 27 footers existing in captivity as well.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

burms have the typical python size difference between males and females, with females being generally longer and heavier-bodied as adults.

You can probably expect a burm to hit 18+ feet as an older adult. I know I've read of 24 and 27 footers existing in captivity as well.

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WOW. That is massive. I wouldn't want to be alone with it. I know they're strong and powerful. Where are they kept? Are they in seperate rooms or something? I am pretty sure that one of the pet stores here in washington sell the Burmese Pythons. Not Petco or Petsmart. Just a local one. Too often people buy them because they are cool and than end up giving them away because "oops..they got too big!" I wouldn't have them, but they are interesting.

Our bigger burms are kept in 6-8 feet Animal Plastic cages. Most burms that get that big usually do not move around a whole lot. Our biggest girl at 17 feet only moves when there is food involved.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheaN526

That's pretty cool. How big is he? How big do the Burmese pythons get? I forgot. Does he just come out of his cage and hang out with you? Do you have other animals in your home as well? What sort of cage do you keep him in? Do you have others there to help you with him in case he gets crazy?

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Thanks! Our guy is 12' and 45lbs. He is in a custom 8' x 3' x 2' cage heated by 2 large radiant heat panels. After 2 days rest after eating, we usually get Lourdes out once a day or every other day for a slither. We have a cat who gets closed into another room when any of the snakeys come out. And yes, we always make sure both of us are home when we get him out because you must respect what the animal is capable of. =)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cassandra

Thanks! Our guy is 12' and 45lbs. He is in a custom 8' x 3' x 2' cage heated by 2 large radiant heat panels. After 2 days rest after eating, we usually get Lourdes out once a day or every other day for a slither. We have a cat who gets closed into another room when any of the snakeys come out. And yes, we always make sure both of us are home when we get him out because you must respect what the animal is capable of. =)

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Has your guy had any aggressive streaks? I'm just wondering. Where did you acquire him? Did you have smaller snakes before you decided on a giant? What does he eat? How many times a month? Live or frozen? Anymore photos of him?

Anyone else have more giants they can tell me all about? Size? Pics? Thanks to everyone who has shown me their giants. I always check out this board because I am very curious.

here is a pic of my retic, if it works, never posted a pic before
he is 14ft and 31 lbs
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...ticincage2.jpg

typo he is a she

here is another pic
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...akes/retic.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

burms have the typical python size difference between males and females, with females being generally longer and heavier-bodied as adults.

You can probably expect a burm to hit 18+ feet as an older adult. I know I've read of 24 and 27 footers existing in captivity as well.

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Nope, no way. Bob Clark's Fluffy is in the 21-22' range. No way a Burm is going to grow larger than a Retic.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

I know I've read of 24 and 27 footers existing in captivity as well.

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24ft -27ft burms?
maybe a retic but i don't think there are any 27ft burms in captivity.
i have heard of 22ft burm. most of the time they are not as big people say they are when someone measures them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakewrangler

Nope, no way. Bob Clark's Fluffy is in the 21-22' range. No way a Burm is going to grow larger than a Retic.

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Yes, they can and do.

Lately i've taken a fondness to olive pythons! I was curious as to whether or not any of the members here have any???

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Originally Posted by juddb

Lately i've taken a fondness to olive pythons! I was curious as to whether or not any of the members here have any???

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I think bearhart has one. I remember a story about getting it out for pics and it got stuck in a rock wall or something. It was pretty cool, and everything ended up alright.

I have a serious question about GIANT pet snakes... Like the two in these pics.
If you were home alone and handling one of these big boys (for whatever reason), and he decided to put the squeeze on you (for whatever reason) would you be able to free yourself without any help? Great pics by the way. :gj:

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Originally Posted by burmmamma

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...age00014-6.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-07_00005.jpg

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We do not handle them alone-we always make sure both of us are home and when we do bring them out we make sure there is a bottle of alcohol, listerine, jug of hot water or something near by in case one decides to bite. This is my husband in the picture with them-he is very cautious.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning your knowledge or abilities as good keeper. Maybe I asked the question wrong... Let me ask it another way.

Let's say Guy-A and Guy-B have one of these huge burms out handling it. And Guy-A goes into another room to answer the phone leaving Guy-B alone, and the snake decides to put the squeeze on Guy-B. Could Guy-B free himself without any help? And if not, are these big boys capable of killing a man?

I guess that's my question in a nut shell... Are these large pet burms big enough to kill a person if they wanted to?

assuming there is no means of help anywhere in the room (ie, alcohol, knife, etc) and the guy that left is not within hearing distance, absolutely. although, snakes are truly wild animals that go on instinct, rarely do they attack a human, unless the human is doing or did something not smart. as long as you hook train them, take them out and socialize them on a regular basis and feed them properly, they should be fine. i cant think of one attack that had "100% snakes fault written all over the story". it is usually, if not always, the handlers/owners fault or misconduct

Thanks Tiger. That's what I wanted to know.

if a 12-13 ft snake has your arms pinned,,your screwed,,bottom line,they kill thier prey,s a human is no different,,i believe it was an anaconda they tested on discovery,put sensors on a mans arm,then had the snake constrict his arm,and it came out as being the same pressure as a school bus being parked on him,,just to give an idea...also,,many experts in the field have said a large snake 16ft plus,could more then likely swallow a small child,,or midget i suppose,,and if it starts at the feet,,more then likely a small adult,,and here is a link,if you look at the fact box,,see what it says about baby,the burmese python,,so yes,over 20 ft is completely and easily obtainable


http://animals.nationalgeographic.co...se-python.html

and heres a pic the other night of my burm,,the hook on the bed next to him is 3ft long

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...8_12040002.jpg

here is one on holloween,,the burm helped me greet trick or treaters

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...8_06260084.jpg

and here is a friend of mine's green anacondas

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...8_12080023.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...8_12080005.jpg the one with us holding it,is the small one,,the pic of just my hand is the big one

When they get to a certain size it becomes a work out to just get them out of the cage and try to get them in a rubbermaid while you clean there tub. I usualy handle mine alone but my fiance is always in the house so if I need her I can yell and she will come especially when I cant get one out of the cage. They like to wrap there tail around the middle parts of visions. They are amazing animals and great to keep. They just get huge. I have two albino greens that are the same age and the female is 16 feet and the male is only 12 feet. And the male eats rabbits and the female eats rats. So most of the time a male isnt going to get bigger then females but I have seen 16-18 foot males before. THe biggest burm Ive ever seen in person was actually a male!

I can't believe this thread is still going. LOL. Pretty cool though as I have a curious nature.

Can I ask an honest question without anyone getting offended? What is the reason for owning such large snakes? It is just the same as any smaller snake? Do you ever feel your beloved pet will make a snack out of you? I know that many of the snake related deaths have been due to negligence on the keepers part. Are the Burmese Pythons ill mannered or generally pretty docile?

I know that Anacondas can get pretty nasty as well. Is that true? I've read the Anaconda forum quite a bit as well. Is it the greens that stay on the smaller side?

More questions from a curious about large snakes girl..

The Yellow is the smaller of the 'condas,and thats what i own,and she is,,well,,she used to be really sweety,,not shes hit or miss,and unfortunatly,she rarely misses.I like the big snakes,i dont know why i am drawn to them actually,but i always have been,but always swore i would never own a snake over 8 feet,,that lasted 7 months after i got my first snake.Now i own the burm,want a couple females to go with him,and want to get into retics.As for temperment,when i got my burm he was 4ft,and i couldnt go near him without him trying to get me,but as soon as he was out of his cage,he was incredibly calm,and now hes not even as hard to get out of his cage,just need a hook at times.I think part of it for me,is that its an animal that can easily put the squeeze on you,but is so calm and laid back,it has no interest in doing so,its just really awesome,

Burms usually always calm down. And make great pets. No I have never felt my snakes are going to make a snack out of me I know they could if they wanted to but after keeping them for a while you start to get a feel of there boundaries and you know when your pushing it and doing something you shouldnt. Its best to raise a baby up to a giant so your comfortable with that individual snake.

Also there are 4 sub species of anacondas the greens and yellows are just the only ones in the pet trade.

the "giant" snakes make great pet. as stated, get them as hatchling, get them cbb, handle them frequently early on, keep their environment optimal, and keep them well fed, and they make fantastic pets

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Originally Posted by burmmamma

Our bigger burms are kept in 6-8 feet Animal Plastic cages. Most burms that get that big usually do not move around a whole lot. Our biggest girl at 17 feet only moves when there is food involved.

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I don't know anything about burms but I'm wondering... Is that healthy?
Or natural?

In the wild would a burm that big naturaly not move around very much? Or is that a horrible effect of keeping them in captivity? It just doesn't sound right to me. Although I guess some of my BPs don't seem terribly active... I don't know... It just sounds weird. No offense intended, like I said I don't know anything about burms.

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Originally Posted by dizzy

I don't know anything about burms but I'm wondering... Is that healthy?
Or natural?

In the wild would a burm that big naturaly not move around very much? Or is that a horrible effect of keeping them in captivity? It just doesn't sound right to me. Although I guess some of my BPs don't seem terribly active... I don't know... It just sounds weird. No offense intended, like I said I don't know anything about burms.

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Burms could be considered one of the LAZIEST snakes on the planet.....take that as you will.

I agree. Burms are lazy they were made to eat,mate, and lounge around and digest

LOL! Well thank you for clearing that up.

I don't think that they become lazy until they reach a certain length, a friend has a 8ft Burm, and it's not really lazy, then again they have a petstore with a 13ft Burm that is lazy, it doesnt move at all.

I have a rack full of baby burms and I will admit they are not as lazy as the adults I have. The only time my adults move is on saturday and sunday becuase those are feeding days at my house. And they will pace the cage back and fourth. However my reticulated pythons move nonstop. They are alot more active then my burmese pythons or my green anaconda and there digestive system is also ALOT faster then the other two.

Keep in mind,,a 18ft 280 pound snake,,,yeah,,i'd be pretty damn lazy too

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakewrangler

Nope, no way. Bob Clark's Fluffy is in the 21-22' range. No way a Burm is going to grow larger than a Retic.

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baby the burmese was 28' and over 400 pounds the last time I saw her. that was 6 years ago.

btw, she's the largest snake in captivity ;)

That's why. A heavier snake isn't going to move as much as a lighter bodied snake. Burmese Pythons & Anacondas weigh more then a Retic.

If an animal attacked, even a 10ft animal tried to wrap around someone to hurt them, what would you advise the steps be to get them off?

If you keep a bottle of Listerine or rubbing alcohol ready, is that really enough? I know it's all unlikely, but if I ever got a large animal like one of these, I would want to teach my family what to do if for some reason, I was unable to explain to them.

I'm slightly concerned for my small dog, when my boa gets full size. Even my cats.

I thought baby passed away?

Me and my fiance have listerine, alcohol, and it does usually work but if you work with your snake from day one you and you dont make any errors then there should not be a problem. The only time my giants ever act up is when food is present and yes its scary seeing a retic fly out the cage for there rabbit lol but as long as you take precautions nothing should happen and if it does just be prepared have all your spray bottles ready and maybe keep a good ole knife on you just incase that fails. BUt like I said earlier I think the people that killed by large constrictors are the ones that shouldnt have them. There either trying to give them medication by there selves, feeding errors, or I also heard a kid in colorado got killed by his burm in his sleep becuase he let it freeroam his room. These are not animals that need to free roam with you. Mine are under lock and key if they somehow manage to break out of there cages theres no way there getting out of there room. I have two small children and If I ever thought anything bad would happen I would not own my animals. BUt you just have to take precautions with owning these animals. And I wouldnt advice letting dogs around them. My huskys get my retics rilled up but my burms dont seem to mind the dogs.