Burmese size/growth question

[Bogertophis]

The veterinarians who run Snake Haus are amazing. I don't know of any other rescue facility that works with unwanted giant snakes. They do work with 'spotters' on their staff but also train the snakes to be carried with tail wrapped around handler's waist, one loop of the snake over a shoulder, and no snakes ever with any positioning across the handler's neck. Of course, even this won't work with some of their really big retics.

Yeah, some snakes just really need teamwork, lol. This is the only rescue I've heard of for the big ones- my hat's off to them. I'll bet they stay busy!

[Homebody]

She's kept for years and currently has an adult BCI and an adult Dumeril's. She has no experience with adults of the true giants, but she's an excellent keeper overall and does well with both of her Boas. She's just concerned about keeping a snake large enough to require a 'spotter'.

A Burmball would be an interesting addition to her collection. I can see why it would be tough to pass on a one, especially one she's bonded with.

[Bogertophis]

A Burmball would be an interesting addition to her collection. I can see why it would be tough to pass on a one, especially one she's bonded with.

Yes, but with a hybrid, even IF it's really a hybrid, it can get to any size, or maybe even exceed that of either parent snake. No guarantee... So that alone makes for a poor gamble, IMO.

[Spicey]

Yes, but with a hybrid, even IF it's really a hybrid, it can get to any size, or maybe even exceed that of either parent snake. No guarantee... So that alone makes for a poor gamble, IMO.

You could end up with a "liger" instead of a "tigon".

[bcr229]

Based on the picture I'd say it's not a burm-ball hybrid, it's a normal burm. A male could get up to and surpass 12 feet but it will take a while, they don't grow quite as fast as retics do.

Since it's chill and seems to have bonded with her - as much as snakes can - she could do a lot worse than that as a first giant python.

[Bogertophis]

Based on the picture I'd say it's not a burm-ball hybrid, it's a normal burm. A male could get up to and surpass 12 feet but it will take a while, they don't grow quite as fast as retics do.

Since it's chill and seems to have bonded with her - as much as snakes can - she could do a lot worse than that as a first giant python.

Well, except for the fact that she doesn't want a giant python at all. They're so appealing when small- I don't envy her decision.

[YungRasputin]

i am by no means an expert, but based on my research, there is a tremendous amount of misinformation on the actual sizes of giant snakes, particularly Burms insomuch as, for example, the largest scientifically verified mainland Burm was a wild female who was 18.10 feet - the average for wild mainland Burms is 12 feet - the averages for captive females is 12-16 feet, and for captive males it’s 8-14 feet - minimum length 7.9 feet - dwarf Burms range from 6 feet to a max of 8.2 feet but everything with giant snake sizes depends on diet, conditions of development, genetics, etc - a moderately fed, slow grown Burm will not be as large as an identical Burm who was power fed and overgrown on purpose - i think if it was crossed with a ball python it would be significantly smaller than a normal mainland or dwarf Burm and, if fed moderately, would not reach any giant size by any means

[Caitlin]

Yes, thanks, it's always helpful to refer to average lengths rather than maximums. I think a lot of internet references get the two muddled.

We're sure this lovely guy is not a hybrid Burm/Ball, but rather a pure Burm.

Just as an update, my friend has decided to try to keep him. She tends to feed all of her snakes 'lean' so he will be slow-growing; there is at least a reasonable hope that he won't get huge; no matter how big he eventually becomes, he isn't going to grow quickly so she will have plenty of time to evaluate how things are going with him; her two sons also adore this snake and are committed to helping out; we have a good mutual friend who is experienced with the giants and who will happily take him if it turns out that she feels she can't safely manage him.

I am really hoping this works out for her. She deals with a lot of snakes in her rescue work and has kept for a long time, but I am not sure I have ever seen her connect so much with an individual snake. And he definitely seems to be strongly habituated to her and trusts her. Fingers crossed.

[Bogertophis]

That's awesome, Caitlin- I hope it works out for everyone too -snake included.

[Caitlin]

Update on this young Burmese, who has turned out to have just a wonderful sweet temperament and outgoing nature.

He's so small because he was apparently severely neglected in his first couple of years of life. He was being given an injection at the vet for a minor injury (he cut himself climbing around the heat lamp cage), and while giving the injection, a large section of skin on his back just entirely degloved. It was pretty horrific; I don't think I will share the photos.

Thank all the heavens, his veterinary care is with the exotics specialists at Tufts University, so they gave him a light sedative and did an entire battery of bloodwork, X-rays, cytopathology, skin biopsy, etc. They are still waiting on final results from some of the labwork but preliminary evidence points to severe and prolonged malnutrition - so much so that the snake most likely actually has metabolic bone disease (MBD) which is usually seen in lizards like leopard geckos or bearded dragons who don't get enough UVB light, calcium, or D3. It is almost never seen in snakes because given any chance at adequate whole prey meals, they can produce sufficient calcium and D3 on their own.

He has multiple previously broken ribs - probably from fragile bones as opposed to abuse. And the very fragile skin that isn't properly adhered to underlying muscle is most likely all related to overall poor nutrition. He is currently getting injections of calcium, vitamins, painkillers, and antibiotics, and they have done as much repair as possible on the skin tears (more skin tore during the exams).

Snakes are incredibly resilient, and this little guy is getting outstanding care and has a keeper who adores him, so I am hopeful. I really suspect this sloughing skin/malnutrition disorder is not as rare as once believed. I just think most snakes so badly neglected are simply not seen - they just fade away.

Send positive thoughts. He really has quite a sweet personality; all of us who have come to know him are just crazy about him.