Burmese pythons need extra care when being handled by their owners. These snakes are very sensitive to their living areas, especially when they are shedding skin. So make sure that you are prepared to take care and properly handle a Burmese python before purchasing one as a pet.When picking out a Burmese python to bring home, choose one that has clear and firm skin. Check its body shape, making sure that it is rounded. Also check the animal’s eyes, which should be clear. The Burmese python should look healthy and its forked tongue should be actively flicking when its being handled. Check if your snake grips you firmly when you are moving around too, and it should also be alert to its surroundings.
Make sure that you have a strong enclosure available before buying your first Burmese python. In order to properly take care of your Burmese python, buy an enclosure or terrarium that’s specifically designed for housing snakes. The standard size for a Burmese python hatchling is about 55 gallons, as these snakes grow rapidly and require a lot of space to move in. As soon as your Burm starts growing, you will eventually go through many different enclosures for it to live in. Just make sure that its new home is always a few feel bigger than the snake’s length.
Within the confines of its new home, the Burmese python should have a hiding place provided for it. Pet stores usually sell half-logs, which should be perfect hiding places for younger snakes. Empty cardboard boxes or opaque plastic containers may also be used if half-logs are not available. Burmese python owners usually make do with large kitty litter pans or modified garbage cans as soon as their Burmese pythons are maturing. When the snake reaches the length of about ten feet or more, a little bit more imagination is necessary, and some hard work involving hammers and nails.
Burmese pythons should also be kept in a proper temperature range, as it is necessary in keeping your cold-blooded pet healthy. The ambient temperature inside the enclosure should stay at around 85F to 88F during the day, and should have a basking area with a temperature kept at around 90F. During the evening, the ambient air temperature inside the enclosure may drop down to 78F to 80F at the lowest. One can even purchase special reptile heating pads in order to maintain a temperature about 20F higher than the air temperature inside the enclosure.
And finally, don’t forget to follow guidelines and rules when feeding Burmese pythons. Also, always have water available for your Burmese python, as these aquatic reptiles need them for drinking and for cooling off.