hey George! Congrats on the new job! Sounds like lots of fun.
Ok, I'll throw in my two cents about you getting a Burmese python. I too wanted a burm at one point. I had a friend who had one, so I started asking him what it was like to live with such a wonderful beast. He replied saying that burms made fascinating pets, but they really do change your life. He told me how hard it was to get someone reliable to care for the burm if he wanted to go on vacation. He told me he had been evicted from two different apartments because he tried to keep the snake a secret from his landlord, and how hard it was to get an apartment that would allow the snake at all.
He continued on and on with a huge list of reasons why I shouldn't get one, including food for the snake, housing, assistance when handling, etc...
They are truly amazing animals, and their gentle temperament make them much easier to do with - considering their enormous size... but this is an animal that could severely injure or kill you without intending to do so. - Not to mention caring for such an animal is a huge responsibility. Plus, when considering purchasing an animal like this, you must try to see things from the snake's point of view. Will you be able to provide an environment in which a snake of that size will be truly "at home."
Of course, the choice is yours whether or not to get a burm... If you do, allow me to offer this final bit of advice: Next to the snake's enclosure, always keep a bottle of pure grain alcohol (I'm talking at least 100 proof). If the snake ever latches onto you or anyone else, pour the alcohol around the mouth and nose of the snake. This willl cause the snake to release it's jaws and typically retreat away from you or whomever it has bitten. This is a much better alternative to killing the snake, should it ever decide to sink its enormous jaws into anyone.
The alcohol will more than likely inebriate the snake, but no long term damage has ever been experienced in using this method.
