Logistics and basic needs:
Animal: Burmese Python
Method of obtaining animal: We plan to acquire our snake from another zoo or an adoption
charity, if we go with the first option, then we will need to contact another zoo in our area with a
Burmese Python and buy an egg or two. It can cost around 800 – 1000 CAD. Another option is
to buy it from pet stores, they are commonly sold but there are restrictions, if you are caught or
convicted of such a crime, you can be imprisoned for up to 7 years or fined up to $500,000 USD.
Transport is also a large
Food Requirements: Like all snakes, the Burmese Python is a carnivorous reptile. Although its
diet mainly consists of birds and mammals, it will eat fellow reptiles and amphibians. It hunts
by staying still, and then striking forward when it sees its prey. It kills the prey by biting it with
its teeth and then kills it through constriction and then swallows it whole. They are relatively
easy to feed as they only consume food every 1-2 months, and sometimes fasting up to 18
months (about 1 and a half years) when it eats exceptionally large prey, such as the American
Alligator.
Habitat Requirements: Burmese Pythons like to live close to bodies of water like swamps or
wetlands, A good habitat will have to be very humid and have lots of room for the animal to live
in. Strong lighting and heating are needed for the snake to bask in “the sun.” Pythons need lots
of grass, logs, reeds, and underbrush for them to hide in and hibernate. They are quite adaptive,
easygoing and can easily adapt to zoo life if cared for properly.
Requirements/permits needed: The Burmese Python is an extremely invasive species; however,
it has been in decline recently and its numbers have dropped by 30% over the past 10 year due
to over-harvesting (for selling) and loss of habitat due to global warming, logging, etc. It has
been on the Endangered Species List.
Social Interactions: Burmese Pythons are secretive and do not require lots of accompaniment. If
you want to breed them however, then another python of the opposite gender is needed.
Safety: Pythons are mostly docile, but if it thinks it is in danger it will bite you, so we plan to
keep it in a glass enclosure with 4-5 mm wide air holes at the top with a filter.
Costs:
Cost of animal: It can cost around $800 – 1000 CAD. Another option is to buy it from pet stores,
they are commonly sold but there are restrictions, if you are caught or convicted of such a crime,
you can be imprisoned for up to 7 years or fined up to $500,000 USD. Transport is also a large
factor in the price.
Cost of Food: four snake feed (mice) can cost up to $13; a python can eat up to 4 – 5 mice every
month or so. Which means we shall feed our Burmese Python(s)
Cost of Habitat: a habitat log can cost $10 - 20, grass may also cost about $10, heating light
bulbs can cost $20 – 35.
Cost of Enclosure: Glass for the enclosure can cost over $180, additional lighting for viewing
purposes can cost $20.
Humane Actions:
Humane Requirements: We will provide more than enough room than needed (1-25 gallons or a
3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet) for the python(s) and maintain the interior plants for a good living
environment, we will feed the python every 1-2 weeks by hiding a dead mouse somewhere in the
enclosure for it to find. We will meet modern zoo regulations by following all Fraser Health
guidelines ([Link]
Topics/Petting-Zoo/petting_zoo_checklist.pdf?rev=4b7a53c8cc9c48db98673c707215276b )
And work with the Vancouver Humane Society to improve our treatment of the animals. We will
keep their enclosure clean, healthy, and safe by cleaning it every 3 weeks. We will also reinforce
a rule that the animals must not be disturbed, taunted, or treated badly by any guests.
Map of Zoo:
*Note this is a map of the entire zoo, not the Burmese Python enclosure that is noted above.
We will also make sure that they are not overwhelmed by the number of tourists and are given
plenty of free time, which is (not including their sleep time) 2 hours per day at bare minimum.
Some zoos/animals' parks allow visitors to look at animals while they are catching their prey or
eating, we are not going to allow that and will allow our Burmese Python(s) to eat and enjoy
their high-quality food in peace. As stated above, they are to be fed 5 fresh white mice every
month and are going to make sure they stay healthy and are in top condition. If it ever comes to
the day when they are going to pass away, we shall make sure that they are gently euthanized
and given a gravestone.
Miscellaneous:
Salary of our workers: Our salaries are very generous and their wage can range from $70,271 to
$100,753 USD with an average base salary of $85,512 USD. Which is quite generous and high.
As the median income a year is around $60,000 a year, so if you work for us you are guaranteed
to make at least $10,000 above average income. You are also guaranteed 1 week of paid vacation
day as well as only 7 hours of minimal work a day. Of course, if required, they may have to work
overtime. However, the possibility of that is quite low as we plan to hire more than enough staff.
Reproduction of Burmese Pythons: Female Burmese Pythons give birth to an average 40
hatchlings a year and they have very little natural predators, this is because the hatchlings at
usually about 18-36 inches long, (about 46 cm – 91cm long) too large for most predators to
consume. They have a lifespan of 25 –35 years (they reach adulthood size at age 4.) They give
birth to an average of 1040 offspring in their lifespan. Most of those should be able to reach
adulthood in our safe enclosures. However, it also means that we may need to sell some of them
off to certified and safe zoos/pet stores.
Our plan in case of an emergency: If anything, unfortunate happens, such as an earthquake, we
are prepared to evacuate all our animals in our enclosures in a safe yet quick manner.
Our escape route is above:
