Bought New Male Burmese

Hello everyone! Went to the reptile show in Columbus today. My husband sent my by myself to get frozen rats, and mice, among other things. Haha big mistake. Called him and told him I was bringing home a new snake. I am super excited.

We have a 75 gallon tank for him right now, but within the next few years will be building one. The picture attached is of him in my transport container still in the car before I even left the parking lot.

I forgot to mention, I have done an extensive amount of research on them and the size they get and since we will be installing padlocks on the reptile room door because we have 2 kids I figure it will be fine. He is eating weanling mice frozen right now and is ready for a feeding soon. Looks like he is starting to turn to shed too. His underbelly is pinkish.

Congratulations. I always approach new Burma owners somewhat cautiously, because they
have not done their research. As you say you have I will only say...start working on that larger enclosure. Within a year they can get up to 8 feet long (it may not, but if you are feeding properly, it is possible). My opinion (and that is all it is) is that the everyday person has no idea about giant snakes until they actually get one and that is why they are often found on Craigslist and other places like that. Again, not trying to say anything against your Burms. I have two (rescues that the owner became afraid to keep when they reached a certain size), and they are so gentle and sweet, but I NEVER lose focus while handling them because they are sooo big and heavy. Good luck and if I can help you with anything please dpi not hesitate to let me know.

Thanks. I did do alot of research but it is my first larger snake so my philosophy is you can read all you want but you never really know until you experience it yourself. I have an understanding and appreciation of them definately. My biggest fear will always be for my children. But I understand I need to take steps for that. Padlocks, etc on doors. I know husbandry, and I understand the sheer size, general temperment as long as properly cared for and appropriately handled, but as I said earlier, I need to experience it. I would never get something I couldnt work through though. Im sure I will eventually have tons of questions for you though. Thanks!! It really means alot.

Locks are a definite! I have a four year old son and he is always around the cage... I don't have a herp room yet. I have had the Burms for close to 6 years now and they have never gotten out without my assistance. They go with me to educational shows and they are a huge attraction (no pun intended). I bring them to show everyone that the cute little 18 piece of rope can be a 12+ foot, 85 pound piece of steel cable that is solid muscle in no time at all. Mine were fully grown when I got them so I missed the growing stage. The male was 10 feet long and weighed 25 pounds and thehe is now the size listed above. The female was 6.5 feet long and weighed 12 pounds, she is now 8.5 feet and weighs 35 pounds. I have been bitten once by the male and twice by the female, of course they were half starved when I got them. Like I said before, DO NOT LOSE YOUR FOCUS ON YOUR BURM! I can not stress that enough. Many stupid people have been injured and died because they under estimated their Burmese python. I am not trying to scare you, just making sure that you don't become a negative statistic.

Congratulations on your new baby!
He's gorgeous!
My husband would flip if a brought home a snake, especially a burmese! I would have to start looking for a new home to live in!

Luckily enough, mine loves them too. We have offered 2 meals so far, but he hasnt taken it yet. We tried both stunned and frozen (frozen first). I think he is still getting acclimated to his new surroundings so hopefully soon he will eat.

Yes, as with every snake/reptile you need to leave him alone for a week so he can acclimate to his new home. There are strange smells, sights,vibrations. Perhaps the temperature is a bit different than he is used to. He is also probably trying to make sure the huge animal that is coming by is not going to have him for dinner. Give him some time and his appetite will get the better of him.

Tried again tonight. No luck so far. Hes been moving more around the cage. We also moved him in the corner so he would have more privacy. His temps are pretty good. I bought a temp gun thing and it says 85-90 usually on warm with 75 -80 on cool. He usually stays at 84 - 85 deg. Newspaper substrate and simple hides which he dont use at all. I figure he was in nothing like this before. I also made a point to only check temps twice a day and havent handled him at all. He snapped at my husband today but his belly is a little pink. Ive been trying ft weanling mice and i may try to get a live pinky or somehing tommorrow since he acts afraid of them. This is the second week he hasnt eaten. (breeder said itd been a week since he ate). Its worrying me though he isnt eating. from what i hear burmese have a big feeding response I dont understand. Any thoughts??

For starters, I would take David's advice and give him AT LEAST one week to "just settle in".....during that time, don't bother him or try to feed him anything at all.....
Think about it,....You brought him home on the 18th...it is now the 22nd, and in the 4 days he has been with you, you have moved his enclosure, offered him food on at least 3 separate occasions......and are now talking about trying to give him "live food" tomorrow because he isn't eating for you.
I realize what it is like to be worried with a new pet, but in all honesty, your worrying and attempting to feed it now isn't helping at all (and is very likely stressing the animal out even more).
I don't own a burmese, but I do know that like all other snakes, a burmese needs time to settle into a new environment.. And I think that you and your snake will really be much better off if you just leave it alone, and give it the needed time to just settle in.