Burmese python as a pet?

[dakski]

I took the following from your "About Me" section of this site.

About Linseylou

Interests:I am starting to get into the reptile keeping hobby! My collection is down below!!My Collection:I have one albino Ball python, as well as a German giant bearded dragon!
I used to have 4 Fowler’s Toads, but I had to let them go (they were wild caught) due to a sickness one already had and spread to the others! I am planning on getting a crestie in the new future, as well as a Leachie and Blue Tongue skink!

Look, I am not trying to be a downer, and some people literally started with Burmese Pythons, but it's probably a terrible idea to get one.

First of all, unless I am mistaken, you are new to the hobby. That's great and it's great to passionate and want to grow in the hobby. I did the same thing! I also started with a BP and a Bearded Dragon when I got serious in the hobby as an adult.

Secondly, the rule of thumb is over 8FT (certainly with constrictors) you need 2+ people to safely handle, feed, etc.

An 8ft female BI that's fed appropriately can be 15-25 pounds or more. They have an aggressive food response, but are manageable. That's still probably 10-20X the size of your BP, eating bigger food, pooping bigger messes, needing bigger tanks (but that can be bought), etc.

A Burmese Python at 10-15 feet is probably 80-250 pounds depending on age, sex, feeding regiment, etc. That's at least a two person job.

As Bogertophis addressed the living situation, long term, that's one consideration. However, there are others. Aside from the sheer mass, waste produced, food and humidity and temp requirements (as she also alluded to), and as you did, cage size, there is the obvious risks. A Boa bite for example, smarts for a minute or two. A burm bite probably needs many stitches, etc. It could be a food response bite (not defensive/aggressive) or could just be having a bad day. It doesn't matter. You are at risk.

If you can accept all this, and don't keep other animals in the house that would be mistaken for food, it's your prerogative to make a 20-30 year commitment to an animal like that.

For what's it's worth, I love Burmese. I've held large ones and they can have a great demeanor. However, I NEVER WANT ONE.

I've been keeping reptiles for well over 20 years and have 13 in my collection, with my boas being the largest (although some are smaller now). I've handled many boas, including large ones, and they are impressive animals, come in many colors and patterns, and are fun and inquisitive when out, but I can handle them on my own safely.

Not sure what you heard about Boa's temperament, but they can be nippy as babies (like most snake species), but most are total puppy dogs when bigger (and many are as youngsters too). Behira, my female ghost BI, is incredibly chill (almost 4 and has been since day 1), as is Jeff my male BI (he's about 1 year now), and Feliz, my BC. I've held many boas are unless food is involved, they are generally amazing pets.

There are others on here who have kept Burmese only to get have to rehome them when they got bigger. The same with even dwarf retics. Many have rehired their 8-10 foot SD Retics as they can be a handful. That's a 30 pound snake versus a 200 pound snake. Yes, can be different temperament, but still.

My advice to you is to keep being passionate, enjoy the hobby, and grow in it and see where it leads. Size of an animal doesn't necessarily equate to enjoyment. I love my corn snakes, and my leopard geckos, my leachie and chewie, my BP, and my carpet python, and my Blue Tongue too. They are all great in their own ways.

Do your research. There are many larger (and smaller animals) that are fun to keep and are impressive in their own right.

Go to shows, reptile stores, talk to people who do presentations, animals rescues, etc. Get the facts. Do not rely on me, or anyone else on here alone. However, keep asking questions, learn as much as you can, and enjoy the heck out of this awesome hobby.

I would hate to see you get in over your head, or anyone else for that matter (including me), by getting a Burmese, having to rehome, or worse, and losing passion in the hobby. Too many people get passionate and burn out well before their animals reach their life expectancy because they get too many too fast and/or they are too young and life changes.

Not to mention significant others. I was lucky to get 3 boas!