Considering a Burmese Python of my own. Thoughts and advice?

[jamesa2580]

I liked this snakebytes video. Hopefully it gives you some perspective

http://youtu.be/10_zJ8Evskk

[Denial]

That video should in no way put anything into perspective. Yes big snakes are a handful and not for everyone but even ones with tempers can be worked with safely. It just helps with your not jumping around hollering and what not. Notice other videos when brian is in the picture by himself and going slow with her. Kind of like shes a different animal right? Brian even says in one video that once shes out shes fine. But with the other guys jumping around her like morons you cant blame her for being pissy. I would take a couple whacks at you to.

[mumps]

Yeah that video sucks.

Look at the poor snake's home. I'd be pretty pissed if I lived in a closet...

Chris

[jamesa2580]

That video should in no way put anything into perspective. Yes big snakes are a handful and not for everyone but even ones with tempers can be worked with safely. It just helps with your not jumping around hollering and what not. Notice other videos when brian is in the picture by himself and going slow with her. Kind of like shes a different animal right? Brian even says in one video that once shes out shes fine. But with the other guys jumping around her like morons you cant blame her for being pissy. I would take a couple whacks at you to.

Aologies. The perspective I was eluding to was size, not necessarily temperament. He showed a very docile burm at the end for contrast as well to illustrate both ends of the spectrum. 15 feet is a lot of snake regardless of temperament, so sometimes it's helpful to see what a big snake looks like. If that video doesn't do it for ya, there are a bunch more out there. I just saw that one recently.

[Riv]

Ive watched a few videos the one above included and frankly, "Satan" was the worst temperment I saw, and I feel they were pissing him off worse than he needed to be.

[dadstoys2]

I have 6 burms and almost all over 11-12ft and have had 16ft+. I love them and honestly only you know if your ready for a big burm or not. A lot of already mentioned stuff {++props on the snake hook...its a must} One thing I have learned is that it is not a question of "if" you take a bite.... its "when". Anyone who deals with a lot of burms or retics will agree. It is just part of the hobby.
Accidents usually happen durring feeding' I have taken several shots durring feeding.
I hate to sound negative cause my true love is always these big babies, but there is some realities that you gotta face when you deal with giant snakes.

[kfitz]

All snakes are different, our burmese is consistantly calm. We got him small, handled him alot, switched him to f/t early and only feed him at night in an area of his large enclosure that we never try to handle him from. We know when he is ready to feed, when he ready to explore, and when he doesn't want out of that cage because we brought him up. We have been very lucky, he is a good boy. That being he is a very powerful animal and alot of work. My fiance and I always handle him together and for us the burmese python has been an exciting and fun pet.

[zeion97]

I know this post is a little late, but advice is always good. I love our Burmese, and always recommend them to people who REALLY... understand how much commitment and care must be put into obw of these babies. And I agree with what dadstoy2 said... you will get bit. It took me a month of owning one and 5 years off and ob working with them but I got bit and bit hard, I'll honestly say if they get you it hurts, but if they hold on and especially near a pressure point it hurts more then you can imagine. Ill just say, cutting a 1/4" of the tip of my thumb off hurt less and I lost less blood. Lol. Don't let that sway you though. Give one of these gentle giants a good home. Just make sure you know truly what you're going to get

[Yeti]

Burms are great, my buddy has an albino female. But there's a few negatives to consider:

1) The cost of feeder rabbits (aren't cheap)

2) The size of the poo....like a dog or larger

3) The size of the snake (obviously)

4) Temperament isn't terrible but they ARE aggressive around feeding time. Just keep a hook handy to let them know you're not food. That being said, every snake is different. Some are MAJOR puppy dogs and others are rather pissy.
You don't want to get bit by an adult. I have, and it cost me a trip to the hospital and 13 stitches. Not fun.



...as said before they are great animals, but just keep in mind that they have SPECIFIC needs that need to be met and like any snake they live a long, long time. I can't say that I would personally, jump from a ball python to a burmese. Maybe consider a boa.

Just buy a baby....grow with the snake instead of buying an adult that you dont know anything about. When you grow with your snake you learn it's personality traits. You'll learn how to handle it as it grows so your not handed a 10 foot snake and not even know how to hold the thing. It will also save your ass on a hospital bill for stitches atleast once lol, yes burms are enormous friendly giants, but they still have their bad days just like everything else.

These are just my opinions but growing with my snakes I've only been bitten once and it was my fault. They joy of growing with your snake is you can find out what it does and doesn't like, without a lot of pain :p (who's with me on this one!!!???)

In the end none of what anyone has said matters, if your heart is set on a burm, your going to get a burm :p

[JSSYL]

Hi all,

Sorry to re-open an older thread but I am in a similar position and I have some additional questions. I have been keeping boas for ten years now and have been recently breeding ball pythons. I have always been enamored with burms though and want to add one to my collection. I have had experience holding a ten foot male, and felt comfortable at the time. My wife assists me with reptile duties and would be present to help with an adult burm. My question though surrounds the situation of an adult burm being in a house with children and dogs. I have a dedicated snake room and would obviously have a custom made and locked enclosure for the animal. However, I don't want to have a snake that in a few years would pose a large threat to my children and dogs. If you all could give me some insight into this that would be greatly appreciated.