Burmese Pythons
Posted by Sarah on September 22, 2008
I’ve come across quiet a few people lately who’ve been trying to get rid of their 10+ foot long snakes lately.
One person I’ve talked to has been trying to get rid of his Burmese Python for over 15 years - unfortunately not very many people are equipped to handle a snake that big, so once you get one that’s grown that big it’s hard to find someone else to take it.
I’ve seen several people who recommended donating large unwanted snakes to the zoo - but most zoos already have enough snakes, or if they don’t already have snakes, they don’t have people who are equipped to care for the snakes.
Even when zoos have zookeepers who are experienced things can still happen - an apprentice zookeper was killed after entering a 10 foot long Burmese python’s cage in August.
I have to tell you that even though I’ve always known I never want a snake in my house that I can’t handle myself, hearing that Burmese Pythons can get up 20 feet long, and weigh over 200 pounds is way different than actually seeing a 18 foot long burmese python up close and personal.
And seeing an 18 foot long snake is completely different from trying to pick up a 165 pound 18 foot long snake and realizing how heavy the thing really is.
Now that I’ve held part of a burmese python I know that there’s no way I’d feel comfortable keeping one - because if anything happened and the snake started constricting me or someone else, I’m not sure that I could stop it.
Before I got up close and personal with a Burmese Python I would have recommended that someone who was considering purchasing one actually visit a full grown snake and see if they thought they were equipped for that.
Now - I think they should hold the snake!
If you’re interested in a Burmese Python look around and see if you can visit with someone who has an adult Burmese Python.
Ask them how they care for the snake, where they keep it, and what they do with the snake when they clean the cage.
Make sure you know how to feed the snake while minimizing danger to yourself, and the person who is there to make sure that nothing happens to you.
Also realize that the lifespan of a Burmese Python is 20 years - and you’ll be feeding, and housing, and cleaning up after the snake for a very long time, and that very long time may seem even longer if you realize that you don’t want the snake any more, and you can’t find anyone else that wants it either.
If you decide that you are interested in a Burmese python check out your local reptile rescues, exotic vets or classifieds sections.
They often have snakes available for adoption, or know of someone who doesn’t want their large snake any more, and they should be able to let you speak with the snakes owner so that you can get a good idea of the care required for the snake, and the snakes treatment while he was in their care.
And oh yeah - if you want a really big snake talk to me.
I know someone who’s been looking forward to getting rid of one for at least 15 years.
You can read more about Burmese pythons at The Keeping or Large Pythons, and Burmese Python.
J said,
That is great advice, it is scary how easy it is to by a snake that is going to get so big in a pet store. I think any pet store that sells large snakes should have a full size one there so you can get a real idea of what you are getting into.
Sarah said,
Hi J, that would be a great idea.
Can you imagine what would happen if that was a requirement.
I bet I know a few people who would quit going into pet stores if there was a 20 foot snake in them :-).
Hellan said,
Good advice, it is scary how easy it is to buy a baby burmese and the pet shops dont offer enough advice on how big they actually will get, so many are being rehomed, zoo’s cant take more on as they are full of rehomed large snakes,a friend of mine who runs a reptile rescue is asked almost daily if he can rehome large snakes, but he is full too. More needs to be done to educate people . Great post
Sarah said,
Thank you Hellan, it is sad that so many people are buying these snakes without realizing how big they will get, how much care they will need, and how long they will live.
The fact that someone is trying to give their snakes to rescue reptiles daily says a lot about the state of things that are going on right now.
Unfortunately I think that most of the people who need to see this post won’t research the snakes before they buy them, but hopefully we can educate some people, and make a difference somewhere along the way.
Robert said,
Would anybody be interested, and how if it is done, in starting a reptile rescue in f/m area?
Sarah said,
I’m definitely interested in helping to start a reptile rescue - but that brings you into a whole other ball game.
I know there are quiet a few people offering to “rescue” reptiles, or adopt them into their reptile rescue locally, but they never adopt any aminals out of the rescue.
Iin order to be a real reptile rescue you have to actually adopt the animals out so all of the information about how you will adopt animals out needs to be set in place before you start taking reptiles, to minimize arguements within the group - and to help the people who are relinquishing their animals feel comfortable that the animals will be going to a good home.
I’m also don’t know anything about the monetary implications of running a rescue, so that’s something to consider as well.
Of course if you’re just thinking about an informal resuce - that’s a differnt story.
What are your plans for the rescue Robert?
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