Burm vs Yellow Anaconda? First BIG snake.

[shescountry89]

Alright guys. So I am considering getting myself my first actual BIG python/boa this weekend at the show. I have the extra money, cage, and everything ready for whichever I choose.

Biggest snake I've owned is my 7.5 ft peruvian, and i've handled many other large constrictors over 11ft. I watched my exs baby burmese for awhile and fell in love. But I also have a passion for yellow anacondas.

Which one would you say is the best to start off with? A normal burmese python, or yellow anaconda? I'm not afraid to get bit or anything, will be handling them everyday once they settle in.

I will keep them in my rack for awhile, then I do have a 4ft and 6ft cage. The 6ft is custom built out of melamine with 2 doors that have 2 locks on each window. It's a strong, and heavy cage. It also has wheels

What do ya'll think?

[redstormlax12]

If you want something bigger than your peruvian then it would have to be a female yellow annie. Males get around 6-8 feet. I was looking at getting a yellow annie but I was looking for something that is calm most of the time. If you get a yellow annie make sure you get a CBB hatchling. Mistreated annies can become the spawns of satan and same with WC individuals. Also ive heard that they have a weird way or striking. It most like lashing, the strike side to side and can leave a nasty mark.

On the other hand with the burm, if i was to choose, i would deffinetly choose the burm. I love the look of the normals burms and some of the morphs are amazing. A burm will get much larger than your peruvian. Im going to be getting a half dwarf burm soon and i can't wait. I always wanted a burm, but couldnt deal with a 12+ foot individual.

[shescountry89]

Yeah, I know the females get a lot larger. Female Yellows can get up to 13/14 feet am I correct? I have heard that if your Anaconda does not bite you once or twice, it's not healthy. Same goes for blood pythons. So I am prepared for that part, lol. Brace myself.

I do love the burms, too. Their colors are awesome and I would probably get a male, not a female. It's going to be just me handling it, don't really have anyone else close to me that is really into reptiles.

[redstormlax12]

Yeah that is about right for females. An individual may be a little smaller than that, maybe around 11-12 feet, but annies are very robust and even a 6-8 foot individual is pretty large.

Im sure you know, but most people advise once a constrictor gets around 8-10 feet, you should always have a second person there to help in case of an emergency. Im sure your experienced, but a 10 foot burm grabbing you in the wrong way could end tragically.

[shescountry89]

Mm yeah, either way it's a large animal. Hopefully by the time it get's that large i'll have someone who can come over and help me with it when needed. I work the reptile shows here, so I am sure I could grab a guy to come help me out.

I shall be careful, haha.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I have a rescued burm at my house right now. I personally have always loved burms but this one is testy. I had an albino male years ago that was completely kitten tame. I loved him to death. I knew a guy that had a green anaconda but this was a very unusual snake. It would take its food from your hand very slowly and gently. Id never seen anything like it. They same guy had a huge adult burm that was mean as could be. I think any big snake that has a good temperament as a baby will retain that as it gets older as long as you treat it right and handle it regularly. The choice is yours. Once you handle a couple different ones you will fall in love with one in particular and none of the others will matter

[Seru1]

I'll be totally honest when I say I am saying all of this with no first hand experience. Just personal preference and what I have read.

But I had zero interest in big snakes until I saw Yellow and Green annies. If I knew the best way to house and heat such a large animal I'd own a yellow right now. But as it stands I am still clueless and searching for info.


But yeah I'd say yellow annie.

[Inugohan]

I would say burm most likely. Anacondas like to have a small to large basin their cage for soaking in, thought not always necessary, it is a nice thing for them to have. I might be confusing them with green anacondas though i am sure both like to swim. A burm will swim too but not as much as i would consider an anaconda would. Also, I don't think a 6 foot cage is big enough for either as an adult though it is good to grow up in. I would say no less then 8x2 for an adult, but maybe thats not necessary either. Best of luck, but I vote burm! ~Caylan.S.~

[shescountry89]

I have a rescued burm at my house right now. I personally have always loved burms but this one is testy. I had an albino male years ago that was completely kitten tame. I loved him to death. I knew a guy that had a green anaconda but this was a very unusual snake. It would take its food from your hand very slowly and gently. Id never seen anything like it. They same guy had a huge adult burm that was mean as could be. I think any big snake that has a good temperament as a baby will retain that as it gets older as long as you treat it right and handle it regularly. The choice is yours. Once you handle a couple different ones you will fall in love with one in particular and none of the others will matter

I would have to agree with you, I was just curious about what other people's opinions were. I have heard both good and bad about both species, and it really all depends on how they are raised. I believe with the proper handling like you say, as you raise them from babies either or can be just as great of a pet.

I'll be totally honest when I say I am saying all of this with no first hand experience. Just personal preference and what I have read.

But I had zero interest in big snakes until I saw Yellow and Green annies. If I knew the best way to house and heat such a large animal I'd own a yellow right now. But as it stands I am still clueless and searching for info.


But yeah I'd say yellow annie.

I will take that into account, definatly always do your research on whatever you get lol.

I would say burm most likely. Anacondas like to have a small to large basin their cage for soaking in, thought not always necessary, it is a nice thing for them to have. I might be confusing them with green anacondas though i am sure both like to swim. A burm will swim too but not as much as i would consider an anaconda would. Also, I don't think a 6 foot cage is big enough for either as an adult though it is good to grow up in. I would say no less then 8x2 for an adult, but maybe thats not necessary either. Best of luck, but I vote burm! ~Caylan.S.~

Male yellow anacondas don't get nearly as large as females, I am pretty sure they can do alright in a 6ft cage as long as you take them out regularly to stretch and give them exercise. With a burmese, they would need a larger cage eventually.

[nextherp13]

Yellow anacondas are awesome, that is one of my dream snakes, dont know exactly why its just something about them that makes them awesome, so i would say yellow anaconda =)