Quote Originally Posted by mumps View Post
I know this thread started on the subject of eating a hen (my burm is very picky and will only take whole chickens on his own - I stuff rabbits in his mouth when he's almost swallowed the chicken), but seems to have strayed into the ever popular housing debate.

Certainly people keep their animals in different ways. Some people keep their snakes only to make money. Some people strive to provide the best possible environment for their charges.

I think providing a large, zoo-like enclosure for one's burm is awesome. I think the notion that providing a square foot per foot of snake is absolutely deplorable. An 8x3 is sufficient for a 24 foot snake? You've got to be kidding. I think those guidelines might work for hidebox dimensions!

And whoever said burms aren't arboreal? Give them the space, and they'll use it. A lot of people want to make themselves feel better for providing crappy living conditions for their animals, and suggest these terrible cage dimensions, saying the animal doesn't have to look for food therefore doesn't have to move at all. What a crock! If your animals are so happy in these enclosures, how about leaving the door open; see what happens. Oh my god! It moved!

Anyway, just taking the opportunity to rant a little. Sorry.

I also think a 7 year old male burm should be larger than 11 feet, but that's a whole other post.

Chris
Minimum space requirements are stated, not what I suggested. I personally believe with these giants, the more room you have for them, the better. As for them not being arboreal I didn't say that. I said they aren't really arboreal. They are semi arboreal by nature. But the truth is, with a snake 100+ lbs and over 10ft, thats a lot of meat to hang on to branches. I can't imagine a snake nearing 200lbs attempting to climb much of anything. I would LOVE to see a picture of a giant hanging in a tree in captivity, or especially in the wild. If anyone has any please post! Sorry for the thread hijack

I am guilty of taking it in the wrong direction. My bad! Maybe we should move this housing discussion elsewhere, or just give it up since none of us will ever agree entirely