Burmese Babysitter?

[Samba]

Hi all! I am going out of town to Las Vegas on Wednesday and I have tormented myself over what to do with my burm, Bandula. I have never left him alone before but I figured my best course of action would be to lock him up in my bathroom, and feed him before I leave. I was also going to fill the tub with some water for soaking and drinking in addition to filling his water bowl. Any ideas? I am also thinking of getting someone to check in on him while I'm gone to make sure he's fine. I've cleared all soaps, detergents and the like from my bathroom, so does this sound ok with everyone? Thanks in advance for your ideas and feedback!

[marisa]

Why not just leave him in his normal enclosure??

Marisa

[Big_V]

Id say leave him in his enclosure too. If the temps are stable and everything the whole time why not. If it isnt able to get out now it most likely wont get out when your away.

[Samba]

Well, the thing is, since Bandula can't run the room anymore (peeking out of the windows) he has been moved to a temporary enclosure (100 gallon tank) that is really too small for him. I let him out whenever possible for as long as possible while I'm around, but I don't want him to go a whole week without being able to get out and stretch. I figured I have a fairly generous-sized bathroom he can be in until I come home, and I have some reservations about having anyone coming over and caring for him (for several reasons). That's my only question... he should be fine, right? =)

[leoncurrie]

How big is your burm?

Leon

[lostwithin]

Unless you know somebody who really knows what there doing I wouldn’t have people come check on him. As for the bathroom if you can get the right temps, and make sure everything’s all sealed up, (windows ,toilets, ect) too prevent him getting out. It should be fine. If I were in your scenario I would simply give him a nice meal and let him sit in his normal enclosure for a week. If it’s only a week he should be fine, then you don’t have too worry about him. and if he’s cages up you could even have somebody come take a look at him without having too worry about them not closing the bathroom door or him getting away on them.

Good luck,
Devon

[Samba]

Thanks, Guys. Bandula is about 14 feet long and has a very docile temperment, yet I still wouldn't want to ask anyone to handle him, even my experienced family members. I just don't want him to be all cramped up inside his tank while I'm away for a week... I figure if I tape down the toilet bowl and shut the door he'll be fine, I'll leave his human heat pad in there on the lowest setting, just in case. He spends a lot of time in the bathroom anyways... Thanks for you ideas, guys. Maybe I do just worry too much LOL =)

[likeal0stchild]

Good luck with the bathroom idea but i dunno I have seen some scary cases of exposed heaing pads on snakes.......a frined had a ball python begin to eat.....his heating pad
c ya

[HeatherRose]

There's no such thing as worrying too much ;)

Maybe you could put a blanket or towel over the heating pad to prevent it from being exposed and a possible danger to your burmese. If you're stille worried, maybe it's best to just leave the snake in the enclosure. Its only a week after all. Perhaps someone could just look in on him once and a while?

Heather.

[ReptiZone]

My personal Oppinion would be to cancel the trip to vagas and build that animal a better cage so it dosent need to be out all the time. I am sure that is not good on the animal stress wise.
8 X 3 X 3 would be a decent cage to set up and if you feal that is not big enught just go bigger man My burm comes out once a week if that.

I might have miss understode you compleatly but I understand that that python is a free roaming animal 80% of the time and a word of advice that is not a good thing unless you home is like 82*F all the time.

Free roaming Burm = Dead keeper = Dead Snake+Bad Reputation
you might want to keep that in mind it may not be today may not be tomarow but one of these days the snake will smell somthing funny on you and bang everything you7 may have worked so hard to have is gone as fast as a snake can strike. then we will have your obituaries posted up as a reminder not to leave large snakes free roaming. But as I said I may have miss understoud you.

But I still say if you have to choos betwean a 100 Galon and your bathroom Cancel the trip and build a better cage so you will have no wories put timers on your heat units and all the good stuff then when it comes time to have fun you will have no wories cause the cage is self effitient.

The ReptiZone
Marc Doiron

[weinerboy12]

I think you're exaggerating a bit there Teptizone.. Sure a free roaming 14' burm could constrict and kill you.. But then again.. It could try to eat you one day when you decide take it out of its enclosure..

[ReptiZone]

Trust Me I am not exagerating take a look o the net how many ppl are killed by there "Nice" Burmese ppl need to take precautions around here with thows animals and I feal a Bathroom is fare from taking the appropriat actions.

It only takes one miss hape and all the hard work we herpers did in the past 10-15 years is flushed straight down the to the porcelan good.

MAn My baby is only 9 feet and she could take down a dog probebly myself if she tried hard enugh. Yet she never ever bit me. Does that meen I can start to be care less. I dont think so.

weinerboy12
you are right Sambas burm can easaly take him/her down in a heart beat. Any time he/she takes it out that is why you never do so unprepared, be with at least another person is posible more.

But what I am trying to say is why put a 14' burm in a bathroom for X amount of day and then pop it back in a 100 Gallon tank come on would you not get pissed off if you were the snake.
But as I said B4 this is purely My oppiniondo Samba will do what he/she wants it is realy none of my buisnes.

P.S this is My baby Angel think she aint verry big but man she will knock you over for a joke on feeding day.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/1410June_34_-med.jpg

[Samba]

OK, Let me make sure you understand a few things before you jump to conclusions here, ReptiZone. How did you get the idea that my burm is free-roaming 80% of the time? He does have an enclosure, which I have admitted is too small, that he is in while I'm not around. Even when he is out of his cage, under my supervision, he is not free-roaming. He is absolutely restricted to the bedroom and bathroom. I am in the process of constructing a larger enclosure for him at this moment.

Secondly, don't caution me as if I am an inexperienced keeper. A simple question to this forum has lead you to believe I don't know what I'm doing. I know my animals and treat them by the book. I rescued this snake many years ago; it's not like we don't interact regularly, each time with careful preparation. I am always careful not to have the scents of my other pets on me while handling my snake. I do have basic common knowledge of my pet; I did my research before I got him. I know that he is a liability.

I don't worry much about him striking at me; as I believe that's a keeper's carelessness, not a snake's unpredictability. I have never been struck by this, or any other snake I have owned, so I guess that's testimony not only to my skills and methods; but also to Bandula's well socialized and docile nature, despite the fact that several terrible things happened to him before he came to live with me.

The next time you feel the need to critcize a person, make sure it's constructive. I feel you have done nothing but prove to me that you will judge a person's knowledge and technique based only on one question. I wish I had that amazing power of yours.

[Cruciform]

If you knew what you were doing and treating them by the book, then why do you have the burm in too small an enclosure? If you don't have the space for a proper enclosure, why do you have the snake?

And why would you consider keeping it in a bathroom for a week?

Before you get all offended you might want to consider the contradictions within your own posts.

[weinerboy12]

well in sambas defence .. "I am in the process of constructing a larger enclosure for him at this moment." so I'm guessing she does have the space for a proper enclosure.. also she said that she got the snake many years ago so the enclosure she has now probably was fine not toooo long ago seeing that snakes grow and dont start off at 14' heh

[weinerboy12]

oh and you should post a pic of yer burm.. :)

[ReptiZone]

Thanx Cruciform I am gald you see where I was coming from. I guess it is just Me I would NEVER even consider leaving a 14' in a bathroom let alone going on a Trip to vegas. I just feel it was a recipe for dissaster. But like I said that is just me.

[Samba]

We all have different thoughts and opinions on keeping and raising snakes. For me, I feel the best I could do for my baby was put him in a locked bathroom and have someone check in on him while I was gone.

I took precautions such as removing all things chemical from the bathroom, taping down the toilet bowl (like he could fit his fat snake butt down there anyways) and leaving plenty of soaking and drinking water. I don't live in a ghetto apartment building, so there aren't any cracks or crevices to be concerned with, and overall I believe it was sucessful.

Obviously it isn't the best absolute idea out there that's why I was asking for ideas and suggestions; perhaps someone would have a better solution. You can look at it any way you want to, I'm not going to tell you that your opinion is wrong. If it wasn't for me in the first place this snake wouldn't exist.

By the way if you want to seem like an authority on this subject try learning to spell. If your linguistic skills improved I might actually be moved by your position.

(By the way, don't assume my trip to Las Vegas was purely recreational... some of us do have jobs that require travel, much of which isn't optional).

[ReptiZone]

I said it once and I will sai it again when all you can find wrong about me is My spelling I am a happy Man. The snakes don't read my Post, they just see the effects of My knowlege now if you want to think I have some sort of athoraty that is all good with me. If you want to think I am a punk that just has a Burm for the Heck of it that is also cool with me. But what I am saying is that I am not spreading false information if you dont want to do it by the BOOK then all the power to ya.

[Cruciform]

By the way if you want to seem like an authority on this subject try learning to spell.

You pretentious jackass.

There are several users on these forums for whom English is a second or even third language.

Considering the number of registered members there are probably at least several dozen users who suffer from dyslexia or some other learning disability.

And then there are people who just don't spell very well, because they're wired for other skills.

If your linguistic skills improved I might actually be moved by your position.

Well, his linguistic skills will only improve as he gets older, but chances are you'll still be a jackass.

[Samba]

Call me what you want, you're entitled to your opinions. I wouldn't resort to name-calling.

Reptizone assumed many things about me, and that is fine with you; I assume something about him and I'm a jackass. I think you're a hypocrite.

By the way, Reptizone, I NEVER said you were spreading false information.

[Cruciform]

How would I be a hypocrite?

He doesn't like your husbandry methods. Well "Waaaah Muffin", I feel so bad for you. If you've got a burm that has attained that size and haven't gotten around to providing a proper enclosure by now, then I have to agree that your husbandry methods are rather poor. It doesn't matter that you take him out of the current enclosure whenever you can. It's too small.

And you're a jackass because you attacked him over something that he may or may not be able to change.

You could start taking proper care of your burm right now. So why don't you get off the forum and finish that enclosure before your trip.

[ReptiZone]

Hey Cruciform Thanx MAn for your continuous suport I realy apriciat all you do and say on my behalf after 10 years the whole spelling thing has never realy botherd me any one who knows me personaly they know I am not a hack. And that is all I need to know

[Samba]

Originally posted by Cruciform:
How would I be a hypocrite?

~You think I'm a 'Jackass' because I may have assumed something about Reptizone. (Which I never assumed, I only stated an opinion, which is wrong for me to do, apparently). He made many assumptions about my level of knowledge to my personal and professional life and yet that appears acceptable to you.~

If you've got a burm that has attained that size and haven't gotten around to providing a proper enclosure by now, then I have to agree that your husbandry methods are rather poor.

~On the surface I’d agree with that point, but you’re missing one thing here, Cruciform. Had you read my earlier posts you would have seen that my Burm had been set up very well, and only recently was located to his current enclosure while a new one being built.~


And you're a jackass because you attacked him over something that he may or may not be able to change.

~I refuse to believe I attacked anyone. I stated an opinion which is: I give little merit or credit to those with poor grammatical skills. Now, if I called him stupid because his spelling was off, that would be attacking someone for something they may not be able to help. Believe it or not, I am not a bully, I am just honest and unafraid to state my beliefs.~

You could start taking proper care of your burm right now. So why don't you get off the forum and finish that enclosure before your trip.

~Well put but a little late. I have already gone and returned. (Again, if you had read my earlier posts you’d be caught up on this information). I am not building the enclosure, I’ve hired someone to do it for me. Trust me, I am concerned about the project finishing up as quickly as possible.~

[Cruciform]

Since I didn't read any previous threads, then I have been without complete information.

The spelling comment really, REALLY ticked me off though. I've made my living as a writer for the last few years, and spelling is not a big problem for me. But I have had friends who suffered from dyslexia to the point of being unintelligible, and known others who won't contribute their wealth of knowledge to paper or forums because they are embarassed about their writing abilities.

A little something to thing consider:

Thomas Edison and Einstein both had learning disabilities.

-edit: added text-

And as a peace offering. Hope you have a nice trip to Vegas. Stay out of that nutty casino on TV.

[ReptiZone]

Hi all! I am going out of town to Las Vegas
ok trying to make me look bad by editing things will not work Samba your Going out of town was at one time referd to as Vacation.

Now dont tell me it was not a free roaming Burmese Python cause you said it your self in your secound reply to this thread.
Well, the thing is, since Bandula can't run the room anymore (peeking out of the windows) he has been moved to a temporary enclosure (100 gallon tank) that is really too small for him.

You can't give a burmese python the run of a room and tell me it is not a free roaming python.

ok I might not be able to spell but dont try and pull a fast one on me I did not Asume nothing I saw only waht you let me see so stop trying to make ME look bad. At least all My animals have the right cages man that 14 foot burm should of had a proper cage at like 9-10 feet needles to say you are a bit behind in the times. just say it say you Messed up. it is realy easy when I am wrong I admit it.

food for thaught when you edit somthing we all see the edit signature so you can not hide it.

[Matt_K]

LOL, im not sure if the first post did say vacation or not, but i found this funny..

~*SaMbA*~


Last edited by Samba on 07-01-04 at 01:17 PM

Whether it was vacation or not, i don't think it makes much of a difference, it was only one week...

[Samba]

Cruciform, there is no need to be 'ticked' off about my comment. It is my opinion, you don't have to like it or agree with it.

I am not, in any way, shape or form, making fun of, or putting down persons with disabilities, or who suffer poor grammatical skills. I only said I would give less merit and/or credit to them and their ideas. It may sound incredibly closed mined, I'm sure, but I won't sit here and sugar-coat it. That's not who I am.


I have no problems with persons who may be physically or mentally incapacitated. As a matter of fact, I am physically disabled. It is something I've had to struggle with, particualrly in the upkeep of my Burm.

I, too, am a writer, and studied linguistics in college; perhaps my backround has shaped my opinions. If I think for a second, that I am being unfairly judged, particularly if the criticism isn't helpful or informitive, I will not hesitate to defend myself. That is human nature.

I have respect for your compassionate defense of Reptizone. It is trait I admire, even though I think you were a little mislead.

Thank you for your well wishes, I did stay away from that casino, as a matter of fact. I didn't get that much time outside the conferences I was attending to look around much. Maybe next time, after Bandula has his new enclosure. =)

[Samba]

Reptizone, I did not consider my python to be free-roaming in his 'room' becuase that was his enclosure. Snake-proofed in every way imaginable. Things changed because he began to regularly sit in the window. I do not want to scare my neighbors, or lead them to believe that they were in danger because he did not appear to be caged. Most of all, I didn't want to risk losing him. That is why things are changing for him.

As for the edit, you guys are funny. If you look at my other posts you will see I frequently edit posts for grammatical reasons (it's something I'm very passionate about). I will not try to hide anything and if I am wrong and called on it I will have no problems admiting it.

[VooDooMafia]

Wow is strange how one question turned into this lol.

As for your trip well IMO I would leave the snakes in the 100gal tank if its only a week. 1 less thing to worry about and if you feed him before you leave teh snake will prolly just sit and digest its meal for most that time anyway.

I do see retizones point though about tossin it all down the toilet. The stats show that more ppl are hurt/injured but cats and dogs in anygivin year then from reptiles but more ppl like keeping them so you just dont hear about them.

One thing happens with a reptile and all hell breaks loose.

Example; I have been keeeping reptiles (some venomous) for a good part of 10 years. Also in my area there are alot of the "Oldtime" Canadian herpers who also keep alot of venomous and large reptiles.

We went years without any problems, just keeping our animals and haveing fun and BBQ's.

Well one idiot decides to forget to put the lid back on his sawscale viper up in Toronto (about 1.5 hours away from here) and that was the end.

Ever since then things have beeen diffferent, we cant openly express our love for these animals cause then all teh nonherpers think they are in Danger although they have been living around these animals for 25+ years ( that refering to some of the Oldtimers).

Now I know that the snake was venomous but do you think the reaction would have been any different if it was a 14 foot burm that was loose?

A 100 gal tank might be to small but atleast you can be sure that nothing will happen.

I would also like to point out that I am not saying something "will" happen, just thats its better safe then sorry.

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by Samba

As for the edit, you guys are funny. If you look at my other posts you will see I frequently edit posts for grammatical reasons (it's something I'm very passionate about). I will not try to hide anything and if I am wrong and called on it I will have no problems admiting it.

I appologize if my post came off as accusing.. I didn't mean for it to seem that way.. I just found it funny that you had edited your post, and he was accusing you.. :D No ill meaning behind any of it..

And as stated, it was only one week, leaving it in that cage wasn't a big deal.. And judging by your previous posts, you DID have your snake properly cared for, but have decided to build it a better enclosure rather then having run of the room. I personally see nothing wrong with that.. I can imagine what your neighbours and passers by would say if they saw a 14' burm looking out the window.. LOL..

[JHherpetofauna]

Dont know about your bathroom but mine is tiled and tile is cold no matter what you do. I would think a bathroom is a poor choice even for aweeks time. If it is tile what are you going to put dont to keep this snake off the tile cause a 14 foot burm will move any news paper or mats you may have down. Also if you fill up the tub with warm water chances are it will be cold in 2 days time, and one heating pad wont do the trick unless its bigger then a normal heating pad. Not sure how long it takes for respritory problems to take place but our bathrooms couldnt hold heat if we turned the air off itself. I just dont see how a cage could be thrown together in a bathroom, and work out. JH

[Samba]

LOL, I know!!!!

I totally agree with you, VooDoo. My Burm was almost euthanized because of his first owner. I'm the one who begged and pleaded and did everything I needed to do to save him, and obligated myself to him for the rest of our lives. He was found roaming on a College Campus here in New Mexico a few years back. Animal Control was going to euthanize him on the spot, never giving him a chance to find a home, and all because he was 8 or 9 feet at the time, (and non-aggressive, I might add). So believe me, I am aware of what could happen if he ever escaped.

I do not know how he came to be crawling around on Campus, but several ideas include escape, let loose, etc. So I know what happens to the animals in these situations. I will do everything in my power to make sure he never does that while in my care!

I took all the precautions that could be taken, and at worst, if Bandula had escaped from the bathroom he still would have been locked in a bedroom. He was fine, I was fine and hopfully his new enclosure will be completed soon.

Thank you for your imput.

[Samba]

No need to apologize, Matt. I thought it was funny too. I really don't care what anyone else thinks. At this point and time it's an amusement to me.

JHherp - My bathroom is carpeted =) Not only that but I'm fortunate enough to have control over the temperatures in various areas of the apartment, including the bathroom. JH, a cage wasn't 'thrown together' as you suggested; I stated ealier that my burm is no stranger to the bathroom because he spends a lot of time in the anyways. Our bathroom has been made to accomodate him and his many needs. As for the cold water... I live in the desert dude!!

[JHherpetofauna]

Well ok, i should have looked to see you where located in New mexico. Sounds like with alittle work that bathroom could be the burms inclosure instead of a temporary one week. But then again if this is an apartment and thats the only bathroom i am sure guests wouldnt want to be halfnaked around a 14 foot snake.

[Linds]

To answer the original question...

Problems I see with the bathroom is what if your big boy starts climbing the wall and knocks the thermostat in to a dangerous temperature? What about mirrors and towel racks and all other bathroom accessories? How about shower rods? Toilet pipes and other plumbing? What if he turns on the water? Big snakes can easily turn or break anything like that while trying to squeeze past or climb around. I really cannot see how a bathroom that is actively used by people can be adequately snake-proofed. What about the human heat pad? One human heat pad isn't enough to heat a whole snake of 14'. How will it be secured in place, or any heat source for that matter? Will your snake pull it out of the socket? Another major issue is using tape for anything. It's been proved time and time again that snakes and tape do not mix. Those are just a few concerns off the top of my head I see with housing a burm in a bathroom for even a short period of time.

[ReptileManiac07]

When you bought this burm you knew it will reach lengths of 14 feet and more. When you see your snake is about to outgrow the enclosure you usually start thinking about building or buying a new one, not dropping off the snake at different parts of your house for some time. Housing a snake that large in a bathroom is an accident waiting to happen just like Linds stated all the problem to accure aswell as a handfull of others. Dropping a large constrictor off in a bathroom that cant really be snake proofed is lower than bare minimum. Your choice and your snake but i see the snake causing allot of damage to the bathroom or worse, to itself. best of luck- Jason

[Samba]

Jason - OBVIOUSLY you didn't read the other posts in this thread.

Linds - No, my bathroom isn't ENTIRELY snake-proofed, but much of the bathroom has been modified to suit him while he has 'bath-time'. Carpeting has been installed, human heat mats are located underneath and are permenantly affixed away from the tub. (They are there so he doesn't get too cold after soaking). They are adjustable and plug in outside the bathroom (so we can leave outlets free for other equipment such as electric shavers and blow dryers, which are present when Bandula is elsewhere.

The curtain rods have been replaced by doors on tracks (mounted onto the bathtub and ceiling). The toliet plumbing really hasn't been touched, but maybe that's something I need to look into. The towel racks also have been a non-issue but I will research that. Thanks for the ideas...

It's not like I keep my snake in there all the time. This last week when I went to Vegas was the first time Bandula was left alone in the bathroom for more than an hour or so. Everything, snake included, was still in one piece when I got home. And I did have family members check in on him and my other pets while I was gone...