lots of info needed.

[johnb73]

I recently bought my first snake(no more parents to tell me "no snakes in the house") It is a very well behaved ball that is a great eater. and i am assuming a really good snake to start off with.

ever sense i was 8years old i have wanted an albino green...
Now that i have my own place and a decent paying job i would like some info.

I have done a LOT of reading on the internet that seems to be extremely negative towards these animals.
I do not plan on buying the snake for a long while but i want to know everything you guys have to tell me from your experiences

this includes but is not limited to average price per week for food and other supplies amount of space required for its enclosure(and rough amount of time before needing a larger space) and just anything else i should think about and look into before getting one of these behemoths.

Thank you very much.

[redtails]

Well, there are some great caresheets around including one here if you wanna read that.

Basically they can grow up to 6-8' a year for the first couple years if fed well, then they taper off gradually every year, although they never really stop growing. You can expect to need a big permanent home by 18 months old, roughly 6x3 floor space minimum for a male & 8x3 for a female. Burms don't need height really as their thick bodies aren't too suited for climbing although a young one might like to. Fairly good humidity is needed, around 60% if possible, and preferably a large water dish that they can soak in. Food will be cheap for a while; babies can eat rat pups, gradually increasing these in size/number until the snake is 6-8' long when they can take down small(2lbs or less) rabbits.

I'd suggest you find someone in your area that has a constant supply of small bunnies or start researching online rodent suppliers(more for larger collections) before you purchase your snake. Older adults might eat giant rabbits or piglets, so try to find a source for that as well, although you have some time. You might also want to think about breeding rodents yourself, as pet/reptile stores can and will charge you an arm and a leg for feeders($5/lb for rabbits here!) Plus with multiple snakes it just makes it easier.

Cost all depends on your area and how much you are willing to spend on the snake to keep it happy & healthy. Basics are a strong, well-built cage; 10% of their body weight a week in food; and preferrably an anual vet check/stool sample. They aren't going to be anywhere near as cheap as your ball python, but with some resourcefulness you can keep cost to a minimum. It costs me about $130+ to build a basic cage that big, and up to $20 a week to feed a large snake depending on supply of food at the time. Vet checks & fecal exams aren't really that much either, ranging from $75 to $150 plus any other tests/meds your snake needs. Find a reptile vet in your area with a good reputation & try to make him/her your "family" doctor. Ask around at some good pet shops that have reptiles, they always need a vet to consult and probably know who comes the most recommended.

Burms are a great, calm, attractive snake that can be very rewarding as a pet or even a breeder animal. They are still fairly misunderstood & persecuted, although they have been in the trade for decades and are one of the more popular species to keep despite their large size. Good luck on your future research & hope you pick a winner when/if you decide to get one. They were my first love when it comes to reptiles, but it took me 10 years before I got a couple, so I understand where you are coming from.

[johnb73]

wow.. i might actually be able to accommodate that as son as next year.
i still think i will wait considering the amount of responsibility and care that it will require. I do not want to have to euthanize a snake or any animal really. I think that is what i am most concerned about as i have read that is often the last resort for a lot of people.


thank you for your help...

[redtails]

No prob, it's best to wait if you still have doubts, they are I believe the number 3 rescued snake, behind boas & ball pythons, at least in my area. Far too many people don't know enough about them before they buy one in a shop or expo as a little baby & end up euthanizing, giving away, or releasing that once cute little snake. I'm happy to see you're willing to do the research & wait until you are ready for one.

[johnb73]

thats my way of thinking. i would rather make sure that i can take care of the 150+lb snake before i screw myself and the snake over.. i love the things to death but i don't want to kill them as a result of stupidity.

[damianthesnakeman]

thats my way of thinking. i would rather make sure that i can take care of the 150+lb snake before i screw myself and the snake over.. i love the things to death but i don't want to kill them as a result of stupidity.

Wow I wish more people would think like that. I ended up with a rabbit not too long ago because the owner didnt think that way (then my girlfriend fell in love with it so he is a permenant pet now).

[johnb73]

i have had friends get rid of animals because they smelt bad... they only smell bad if you do not take good care of them properly