lol Lacey the ever concrned herper - don't worry about having a big snake wrapped roudn your head just take a pic so other people can be reminded you got eaten heheheheee

Good luck wit the feeding thing - I hope you resolve your problems and manage to calm him down a touch

There have been several studies concerning the difference between red meat and white meat. Red meat has more protein and other needed enzymes etc, where as white meat (chicken) unfortunately does not. We had a 22 foot burmese python (not recommended unless experienced handler and never handle alone) we fed a variety of foods all were frozen-dethawed rabbits, jumbo mice, chicks, g. pigs, we also allow the snake to get exercise to keep the muscles taut and healthy. One of the provlems with the larger snakes is lack of exercise and improper diet. Yes you can feed chickens, turkeys, etc but it must equal the amount of red meat(50% to 50%). This will ensure the proper amount of fats and protein for your snake. We will search for the articles on this subject. Check out reptiles magazine there are some good dealers that offer a variety of frozen prey. Rodent Pro is one that we recommend, they have sales on rabiits that can be purchased occasionally for $3.00 a piece. Burmese should be lean and slick not short and fat. Before purchasing a large snake like a burmese it is always a good idea to investigate the foods and the costs of keeping these snakes.
This is a great site wher we can discuss all these issues.
Thank
Pets Are Us Rescue

A small peice of cotton string. It is digested.

Well said indeed!
It costs a lot to feed one of the big boys.
Fluffy, Bob Clark's big retic, gets 40lb PIGS!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

That's a good point, of course, but if I remember correctly, Ssativa inherited her Burm from her brother when he passed away.

Ssativa, I think you've done a great job handling Dubious so far. I would be nervous too at any snake that was striking at my face. Protect yourself with whatever it takes to keep from getting bitten.
As far as feeding: I agree that F/T jumbo rats, guinea pigs or rabbits would be the best food for him and keeping him well-fed might slightly reduce the risk of getting bitten.
What is VERY important is that he doesn't smell the food thawing or warming up before you've got him in the shower or wherever you feed him. They can smell food in another room, so if possible thaw as far away as you can. Otherwise, he smells warm rat in the air and your warm hand comes near his head... bang... you're bit.

Good luck!!

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Andrea

Yes, thankyou Blackjack.

I did not know how the snake was acquired but we included that statement to prevent anyone from accidently purchasing a big snake without considering the costs.
Another trick we use to feed our big snakes is to ensure that our hands have alchol on them. We keep a spray bottle of alchol handy at all times just in case of a large snake bite.
You can also place a towel over the head and keep there until you get the snake to feeding area.
We are here to help

As are we.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

That trick is out of the question. For some reason, he always strikes at towels. If they were nutritious I would just feed him those. I am now locked out of my own bathroom. I opened the door slowly to get him out the day after he ate, and he struck at and proceeded to wrap around a bathrobe that was hanging on the back of the door. I swear he was trying to eat it. When he realized that it wasn't moving, he turned to me with that same look. I guess I will have to feed him some more rats before returning him to his enclosure.

This is all very disappointing since up until recently, I had no problems with him. I never feared him even when he would come up to my face and flick his tongue. He has become aggressive seemingly over night. I hope that adjusting his meals will do the trick. I want my Dubious back; he's becoming a monster.

OK we can't do the towel looking over my notes I have had some snakes actually bite and attempt to swallow the towel, it was a moving object and it assumed it was food. Although he is only 7 feet the snake may be going into puberty especially if a male, they breed in early spring.
Just a few questions, you were handling him everyday? It is essential to do so. We deliberately put rubbing alchol on our hands and let the snake sniff it through the screening (only done with aggressive snakes) this is done several times a day. This is done so the snake will get used of us smelling like alchol so we can take them out without a problem.
Burmese pythons are endless pit eaters they can eat until they regurgitate although we have never had that happen.
I think I would purchase a large plastic container for feeding and not give the snake so much room to hunt.
Another issue we occasionally have with these snakes is the feeding frenzy, this is when they maybe getting a growth spurt and need more food, most of them are starved by the time we get them. We feed them almost everyday until they don't want the food. We would rather they be full and maybe throw away a rat or too than have them hungry and strike.
Are you afraid of the snake when you go near him now that it has gotten aggressive?
It is very unusual for a docile burm to get aggressive after being docile, but handling is the key.
These are just a few more suggestions to help you. We have been known to use a box or anything that is flat when the snake decides to strike and hits a flat object they don't like that. I would recommend having another person with you until he decides to settle down.
You are welcome to contact us any time our number is on our web page. we will do everything we can to help you.
Thanks
Noreen
Pets Are Us Rescue

LOL. That is exactly what he tried to do with the bath robe that was hanging on the back of the door.

How big are they typically when they go into puberty? and how old?

What about when the snake is digesting? I always assumed that my snake should be given time for digestion and was uncomfortable being handled after eating for at least three days?

I always just wash my hands first with dish soap. I think he is used to the smell of that.

I will definately look into that. How big of a container would you suggest?

Me too but unfortunatly the $20.00 a week that I pay for the two jumbo rats is all that I can afford. As it is I've been feeding off the pet gerbils in my household. There are only two left. I consisered breeding them for more food, but they take a long time to grow and at their adult size, they are hardly an appitizer.

I'm not afraid of the snake as far as me getting close to him. I just worry about anyone else. I'm afraid, for Dubious, that he would bite someone accidently and that someone might hurt him. That is one reason I why I don't have help when I am feeding him. The box sounds like a much safer shield to use when necessary than a towel which or other cloth which he will see as a target.

Thanks for all the advice.