Do I need to have lisence if I want to buy a burmese phyton?

Question

I'm planning to buy a burmese phyton. Some of my friends say that I must have a lisence and the rest says I don't. Can somebody please tell me?

Answer 1

Generally no, but you will probably have to register it when it gets over 12 ft long.  Why do you want to get something that is going to get that big?  It's going to need a cage the size of a bedroom and you won't be able to handle it with out someone else present because of the risk of it squeezing you too hard and killing or injuring you.   Also its going to be very expensive to feed.  If you think you can handle it go ahead but I think it would be wiser for you to stick with a red-tailed boa or a ball python.

Answer 2

Depending on where you live, you might not be able to even own one.

Unless you are prepared to have a snake that you may need to purchase goats or pigs to feed it down the line, will  need an enclosure that will be a minimum of 10'x6' feet with a baby pool in it for soaking, and understand you may have a 20'+, 200lbs+, snake for over 20 years, I recommend that you do not get one.

There are hundreds of Burmese pythons put to sleep, or dangerously abandoned because of how large they get, every year. Many people are naive to believe that a zoo will just take it, not knowing that many zoos have already taken in extremely large snakes and have no room for anymore, or even have waiting lists to take in such creatures, or think that once  the snake reaches a certain length, they can put an ad in a newspaper and someone will want it. Please, unless you are prepared to take in and keep such a large creature, clean its cage religiously, and handle it everyday so it will not mistake you for prey, get something smaller such as a red-tail boa, or even smaller then that, a ball python, instead.

EDIT: here we go again, thumbs down for truth telling. It breaks my heart to see such ignorance to the plight of such beautiful creatures. Many of them end up dead as a result of ignorant owners. I just wanted to make sure this person knew what they were going to get into before purchasing such an animal that requires so much work and care. Doesn't make me evil now does it? But in many selfish people's minds, I am a threat to their little, ignorant bubble.

Answer 3

Definitely check your local herp society.

But also, really you have to ask yourself if you're prepared for an animal that's going to get over 20ft long.

They are beautiful animals but so many people get them then try to give them up to zoo's and other places when they eventually get too large.

Know what you're getting into, and start preparing for it now if you are.  

They can be amazing animals and great pets, but be prepared for a monster snake.

Answer 4

It is going to depend on where you live. If you are in the USA this can vary not just from state to state but by county and city as well.

Your local Herpetological society should be able to provide you with the information.

Answer 5

Depends where you live really. Here in the UK you don't need a Dangerous Wild Animals licence or any other kind of permit. Not sure about the states though. I think it differs from state to state. :)

hope i helped :)

Answer 6

Have you looked in to Dwarf Burmese Pythons? My cousin has one and they only get around 6 ft. -7ft. but have the same patterns. You don't need a enclosure the size of a bedroom. Even professional breeders keep retics and burms that are over 20' in 8'x4'x3' cages . Snakes that large don't really move around alot. If you put a 20' Ft. Python in a big room, it would just curl up in a corner and just lay there. If you keep the humidity up you don't need a soaking tub except for maybe anacondas. People should get their facts straight before trying to scare others out of getting big snakes. On the other hand big pythons aren't for everybody.