what size cage?

[Pythons_N_Boas]

ok, what size cage will propley house a male burm? will a 6 foot one do? or do i need a 8 foot one?

[Dragon]

Cage sizing with Burms is one of those areas where everybody seems to have their own opinion. On the one hand there will be people telling you that you will need to give up a whole room, on the other hand there will be people telling you that 8x4 will do, others will quote a formula like 2 sq ft for every foot of snake etc... The thing to remember with giants is that depth is as important as length, if not more so. Their bulk is such that even when they coil up they will cover a 3ftx3ft area with ease. Personally I would recommend against giving up an entire room, simply because that in my experience they are territorial and entering the territory of a large and powerful predator is asking for trouble. Much better to have the more controlled environment of a glass fronted cage where you can clearly observe the animals location and behaviour before exposing yourself to the animal.

If you were to ask me, I would say that for an average male (13-15ft or so) something along the lines of a 10x3 or 8x4 would be enough, providing that regular excercise is allowed by handling or should I say supervised freedom of the herp room/house as handling them at that size is both tiring (they're HEAVY!) and difficult (they're REALLY HEAVY! ).

It's also worth noting, before you get the animal, that you WILL require at least one assistant during cleaning/handling/feeding procedures. This must be somebody who feels comfortable around the animal, preferably another experienced herper, but at the very least a friend/family member who is willing to be as committed to it's welfare as you are and who isn't afraid of the animal. Feeding time is particularly dangerous as it requires you to expose yourself to the animal while in the presence of food and, as any Burm owner will tell you, once they smell food they are not for fooling around!

The first thing you should do though is to contact somebody in your area that keeps giant snakes and go and help with the handling, feeding and cleaning etc... This will give you some idea of what you're about to let yourself in for and it's vitally important that you understand this BEFORE you purchase the animal. If you don't know anybody close enough to visit then talk to experienced giant keepers about their procedures and husbandry methods and financial outlay. Cost is one of the aspects of reptile husbandry that often goes overlooked, particularly in the case of the more specialised species.

I have no idea what your level of experience is, so if I'm preaching to the converted forgive me

Paul

[Dbutton]

Where do you live? I keep giants and they are a herp world all of their own. They are big and heavy and hard to handle if they get an attitude and oh yea, did I say BIG. They eat big things and they need huge cages. It is all very expensive and with a life span of over 20 years in captivity they are a long term commitment. I have 2, a 12 year old male that I have had since he was 12 hours old and an almost 3 year old female. They take up most of my snake room (13X12) and their cages take several people to move.
Think hard before you get one, but if you need help feel free to ask and I will give you all the information you want.

David

[toker]

They are big and heavy and hard to handle if they get an attitude and oh yea, did I say BIG.

[CheshireCat]

OP,
Please remember that burms should hopefully live a long life.
Sorry if Im wrong but I believe you're a teenager.
In the next 20 years.....
You may go to college. Will there be space in your single room student apartment? Will you have money to maintain higher food and heating bills.
You will probably meet several girlfriends, fall in love, give her a lot of attention and maybe forget your responsibilities to the snake.
You may get married and have children. Expensive and potentially problematic with kiddies.
Whatever... you WILL have several lifestyle changes between teenage and your thirties.

[JonnyArmani41]

Big Snakes mean lots of food time space money i have one adult burm and 2adult retics and I can tell you it is an every day habbit you must change there water daily and if you ever wanna go on vaction or something finding someone will to change the waterand take care of them is not easy there is alot to think about good luck

[Pythons_N_Boas]

yes. i am a teenager. you are right. alot will happen in 30 years. but heck alot can happen in a day. i have no problem feeding/ watering him. i feed and water my 2 iguanas, and my bci daily. the collage im going to is near my house. space will be my main consirn. lol my room is full of cages. LOL i got a 4 foot my 2 foot by 1 foot snake cage. and a 275 gallon reptarium, also a 6 foot by 6 foot by 3 foot iggy cages.

thanks for your help everyone

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[BrentB]

Hopefully it works out. I hope to not have a space problem with my African Rock python when i get older, i wont be going to a regular college, stay in a dorm, etxc. like a lot of people do, if anything ill live at home, save up my money for a place, do some kind of trade school, and or some college classes, but no dorm living for me. wont fit the lifestyle of me and my herps.

[Shuba]

Yeah I hate dorms and the idea of sharing toilets with filthy roomates doesn't float my boat. Poop space is an important neccesity for me. Oh wait.. are we talking about Burms?

[Pythons_N_Boas]

hahahaha shuba, you are funny. i agree, a toilet is a mans place. a place of peace, a place of happyness, a place where a man can be a man. LOL

brentB how old are you? how big is your rock ?