Burmese Python Care Guide

Burmese pythons are one of the most popular of big snakes in the pet trade. Growing to lengths of over 20 feet these snakes really demand respect from anyone who is around them. Although Burmese pythons do tame down pretty easily they are 200lb or more of muscular animal that has the ability to injure or kill a human with ease.

Most injuries caused by Burmese pythons are caused by improper keeping conditions such as allowing the snake to free roam or misjudging the animal when feeding it. For the safety of the snake and people around it Burmese python or any giant breed snake should never be allowed to free roam and should always be kept in a secure snake proof enclosure. No matter how long a snake is kept or how well someone thinks they "know" their "pet" it should always be kept in mind that they ARE wild animals.

Beginner reptile keepers should never purchase one of these giant snakes due to the fact that these snakes are extremely powerful. Burmese pythons also need very big enclosures and not a lot of people are willing to provide their snakes with a room or a good portion of a room as an enclosure. Burmese pythons need very big enclosures at a minimum of of 8 feet long by 4 feet wide and 4 feet tall. The bigger the enclosure the better. Some keepers convert walk in closets or a good portion of a room to a snake enclosure. No reptile stops growing because it is kept in a small tank. These snakes will and do become very big no matter what!

Burmese pythons, like every other snake do require a basking area along with a "cool" area of their habitat. Basking areas can be made with a clamp lamp and a light bulb or a ceramic heat emitter. Temperatures in the basking are should reach 90-95 degrees. The "cool" area of the tank should reach around 75-80 degrees. UV lighting is optional since it is not proven snakes need UV light to survive. Burmese pythons are diurnal and should have a photoperiod of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark.

For substrate, lose material should be avoided to keep the snake from eating any bedding accidentally when they eat. Indoor/outdoor carpet, linoleum, aspen, newspaper, and butcher paper can be used. NEVER use anything, including sticks or logs made out of pine or cedar because it could kill your reptile! If a lose substrate such as aspen bedding is used it is not recommended that the snake be fed on the bedding due to the risk of the snake becoming impacted by eating bedding on accident.

As hatchlings Burmese pythons will eat mice. When they get to be adult size they will require feeder rabbits and chickens. Some keepers like to feed quail and prekilled pigs. All food should be prekilled and frozen to kill any bacteria or parasites before it is fed to your snake. Along with killing bacteria frozen food is a lot safer due to the fact that something that is dead can not bite and injure your snake. It is recommended that you feed the snake outside of their habitats to prevent any accidental biting due to food aggression.

Burmese pythons do require humidity to be a bit higher since they are from a rain forest area. Providing a large bowl of water big enough for the snake to soak in and a humid hide normally does the trick. Humid hides can be created by cutting a hold big enough for the snake to enter into the side of a large plastic tote or a large trash can. Moss can be kept in the bins but needs to be replaced often to help prevent molding and bacteria build up.

The enclosure should be spot cleaned daily and waste should be removed daily to prevent bacteria build up. Full cage cleans should be done once a week. Accessories can be washed using a 5% bleach solution. Rise everything well and allow it to dry before allowing your snake to have contact with it.

Although easy to care for Burmese pythons grow to excessive sizes. These giant snakes are natural predators and should always be treated with respect. Beginners stay clear of this species!