Burmese Pythons E-Book

Philippe de Vosjoli

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 94

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2001

Beschreibung

The Burmese pythons, the subject of this care guide, is a giant snake with specific feeding, housing, and handling requirements, that is not ideal for most hobbyists and an unusual choice as a pet. Nonetheless, author Philippe de Vosjoli notes in the first chapter that his favorite snake was indeed a Burmese python, as no other snake "has ever equaled this particular animal in terms of personality and responsiveness." Indeed, he says, the Burmese python's docile nature has done much to help dispel scary myths and misconceptions about snakes in general. For snake hobbyists interested in purchasing and keeping this gentle giant, Burmese Pythons is an excellent introduction to the selection and purchase of a healthy snake offering no-nonsense advice about handling, housing, feeding, and breeding these snakes. The author's chapter titled "How Accidents Happen" presents commonsense tips about handling Burmese pythons, discussing bites, the tail, and constriction, essential reading for all keepers, regardless of their experience level. Dr. Roger Klingenberg offers a chapter on diseases and disorders which proves useful and informative. A fully illustrated chapter dedicated to other large pythons offers information about size, longevity, morphs, maintenance, and breeding for the following giant snakes: the Indian python (a subspecies to the Asiatic rock python, like the Burmese python), the Sri Lankan python, the reticulated python, and the African rock python. Resources and index included.

Leseprobe

Karla Austin, Business Operations Manager

Nick Clemente, Special Consultant

Jarelle S. Stein, Editor

Jill Dupont, Production

Kendra Strey, Assistant Editor

Cover and layout design by Michael Capozzi

Indexed by Rachel Rice

Cover image by Paul Freed.

The additional photographs in this book are by James Gerholdt, pp. 6, 7; Isabelle Francias, p. 21 (bottom); Paul Freed, pp. 10, 15, 17, 21 (top), 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 35, 37, 39, 44, 58, 64–67, 70, 72; Roger Klingenberg, 24, 52, 54, 55; Bill Love, 62, 73; Maleta M. Walls, 18, 47, 48, 50.

Copyright © 2005 by Advanced Vivarium Systems, Inc.™

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording or any information and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

LCCN: 96-183295

ISBN: 1-882770-83-8

eISBN: 978-1-62008-043-6

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Before Buying a Burmese Python

1: Burmese Python Basics

2: Selection

3: Housing and Maintenance

4: Feeding

5: Breeding

6: Diseases and Disorders

7: How Accidents Happen

8: Notes on Other Large Pythons

Resources

About the Authors

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A tip of the herper hat goes to Bob Clark, who single-handedly was responsible for establishing most of the morphs of Burmese pythons and reticulated pythons in captivity, and whose articles provided essential information for this book. His pythons represent supreme examples of living art. Special thanks are due to Ernie Wagner of Seattle, Wash., who reviewed the original 1991 manuscript and provided valuable advice.

BEFORE BUYING A BURMESE PYTHON

During the early 1970s, the author was fortunate in obtaining a hatchling Burmese python that in time grew into an impressive 12-foot (3.7-meter) snake with an outstandingly docile temperament. Of all the snakes that the author has owned, none has ever equaled this particular animal in terms of personality and responsiveness. This Burmese python eventually appeared in a number of newspaper articles, in herpetological shows, and in several classroom and school presentations on amphibians and reptiles. This special animal performed innumerable services in helping to dispel myths and popular misconceptions about snakes, tolerating at times more than a dozen little hands trying to feel the skin of a living giant snake.

Beauty, slow movement, heavy body proportion, calm disposition, and a greater degree of responsiveness than demonstrated by most other snake species have made the Burmese python a favorite among those seeking to own a snake pet. Yet Burmese pythons are in several ways far from the ideal pet snake. In spite of the docile personality of many specimens (this may depend on genetics as well as frequency and quality of interaction), the fact is that Burmese pythons usually grow into large, heavy, powerful predators that have feeding, housing, and handling requirements that make them unsuitable as pets for many members of the general public. Just as with certain dog breeds, Burmese pythons are not recommended for everyone.

Today, with the rapid advances in herpetoculture, increasing numbers of captive-bred Burmese pythons are purchased by budding herpetoculturists as snake pets. The growing popularity of Burmese pythons is at one level an indication of a slowly growing change of attitude by the general population toward reptiles and reptile-keeping. At another level, the keeping of large snakes by members of the general population has become a concern of certain states, cities, and townships that question the wisdom of allowing private individuals to keep what they consider “potentially dangerous” large constrictors. The result has been the numerous legislative proposals put forth to various agencies every year in an attempt to restrict herpetoculturists from keeping large snakes.

The albino trait, shown in this Burmese python, can be combined with other traits such as patternless and labyrinth.

Evaluate Your Choices

Many people who buy Burmese pythons probably should not. They have no clear notion of the difference between the small hatchling that can be held in one hand and be housed in a 10-gallon (38-liter) vivarium, and the large adult that may require two people for handling and require a cage that will take up a significant portion of a room. Most first-time Burmese python buyers also don’t fully grasp the fact that they will start by feeding their baby snake a mouse and end up with having to feed it large rabbits.

If you want a large snake, there are other species that don’t grow quite as large and are easier to handle as adults, such as boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), Dumeril’s boas (Acrantophis dumerili), rainbow boas (Epicrates cenchria), ball pythons (Python regius), and carpet pythons (Morelia spilota). Granted, Burmese pythons also have great qualities: large and impressive sizes, beauty, and many (when captive-raised from juveniles) have about the nicest personalities you can find in snakes. But is a giant snake really what you want?

Large snakes require large prey. While you’ll start out feeding a hatchling Burmese small mice, an adult specimen will require larger prey; for instance, large rats or rabbits.

This type of decision is no different from the one that confronts a dog buyer. Before purchasing a snake, consider your lifestyle, such as whether you live in an apartment or a large home, whether children are in the home, how much free time is available, and the ease of obtaining required food items; finally, consider selection of the proper species. Is the Burmese python going to end up in your studio apartment or in a special room on the bottom floor of the house? Are your young children likely to tamper with it? If you’re an older person, will you be able to handle the adult animal when it exceeds 60 pounds (27 kilograms) in weight? Will there be someone there to help you? These are the things you should think about if you intend to be a responsible snake owner.

Being a Responsible Snake Owner

Each year, hundreds of pet snakes in the United States escape from their inadequate cages. Many are never found by their owners. Others end up making the news, including many escapee large constrictors (the state of Florida seems to be number one on the list of reported escaped large constrictors). Every time this happens, it fuels those who are opposed to the keeping of exotic animals, including large constrictors, by the private sector. In addition, bad publicity is caused by individuals who take their snakes out in public places (outside of the proper forum for such displays) and by individuals who intentionally aim to shock people. News media love incidents that involve reptiles. The public subconsciously must look forward to these incidents, as they give them something to talk about without even having to read the National Enquirer.

The now defunct but once pioneering American Federation of Herpetoculturists (AFH) years ago established guidelines for the responsible keeping of large constrictors. These guidelines have been presented at several public hearings and served as models for sound regulation. An updated version of the guidelines follows:

• In consideration of the right of the public to not unexpectedly be exposed to snakes such as large constrictors, and realizing the irresponsible behaviors demonstrated by some snake owners, it is recommended that no snake shall be openly displayed in a public setting outside of proper and established forums, such as herpetological shows, educational displays, pet stores, and events whereby members of the public are forewarned that snakes may be openly displayed.

• All large snakes must be housed in secure enclosures with either hinged doors, sliding tops, or sliding glass fronts that include a locking mechanism. Such enclosures should preferably be contained in a room modified to prevent snake escapes and with a door that shall be kept shut or locked when the room is not occupied by the owners. As herpetoculturists, we all benefit from practices that prevent the escape of pet snakes.

• All snakes must be transported in a manner that prevents the possibility of escape. They shall be contained in a sturdy cloth bag free of holes or tears and placed inside a box or similar container with holes for aeration. The container should then be sealed or locked shut. Care must be taken to use cloth bags with a weave that allows for adequate air exchange. When shipping snakes by air, the airlines must be consulted as to their packing requirements.

• When handling or performing maintenance of any of the giant snakes more than 8 feet (2.4 m) (green anacondas, Asian rock pythons including Burmese pythons, African rock pythons, reticulated pythons, and scrub pythons), another person should be present or at least within easy calling range. An additional person should be present for every additional 4 feet (1.2 m) of snake, i.e., two people when handling or maintaining a 12-foot (3.7-m) python.

• No boids (pythons and boas) that can achieve an adult length more than 8 feet (2.4 m) should ever be owned by or sold to minors.

• As with other potentially dangerous animals, such as dogs, owners of large constrictors should be aware that they can be liable for the medical costs of treating injuries as well as additional financial damages.

Be Responsible—Preserve Our Hobby

Between Jan 1, 2000 and Jan 1, 2005, there were more than thirty-six news reports relating to escaped large pythons. These reports are compiled by anti-herpetoculture organizations (Humane Society of the United States, Animal Protection Institute, etc.) and used as arguments to support legislation that would remove our rights to keep and breed reptiles. Only responsible pet-keeping, self-regulation by the pet industry and by the private sector, support of pro-pet organizations such as the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), and involvement in related politics can prevent the steady creep of legislative restrictions.

Regulations

There appears to have been a trend in the last few years for cities and states to draft ordinances or regulations that control or restrict ownership of large snakes. Various agencies and organizations directly or indirectly support these regulations, particularly with regard to the ownership of large constrictors (typically boas and pythons that can achieve an adult length of more than 8 feet [2.4 m]). Those opposed to large snake-keeping contend that the public should be protected from the remote possibility of danger from these animals. Most of these proposed regulations conceal the underlying persistent bias against snakes that to this day permeates the attitudes of many people.

Although reported snake-related deaths are few, cities across the United States have drafted regulations that control or outlaw the keeping of large constrictors. Practicing responsible herpetoculture will help educate the public that these large snakes are no more dangerous than are dogs and cats.