Burmese Python
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Burmese Python
Conservation status
Vulnerable
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species: P. molurus
Subspecies: P. m. bivittatus
Trinomial name
Python molurus bivittatus
Kuhl, 1820
The Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 biggest snakes in the world, native to
rain forest areas of Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees.
The Burmese python is one of the largest of all snakes, growing up to 8 metres (25 feet) and weighing up to 180 kg (400 pounds). It continues to grow
throughout life and the great length is due to the presence of a large number of vertebrae. Females are typically larger than males.
A Burmese Python at Serpent Safari Park in Gurnee, Illinois, USA holds the record for heaviest living snake. As of 2005, it weighs 182.76 kg (403 lb) at a
length of 8.23 m (27 ft).[citation needed]
Contents [hide]
1 Description
2 Geographic range and habitat
3 Behavior
4 Diet
5 In captivity
6 Burmese handling
7 Variations
8 Conservation
9 See also
10 Footnotes
11 References
12 External links
Description
Burmese Pythons are light-coloured snakes with many dark brown blotches bordered in black down the back. The perceived attractiveness of their skin
pattern contributes to their popularity with both reptile keepers and the leather industry. The pattern is similar in colour, but different in actual pattern to
the African Rock Python (Python sebae), sometimes resulting in confusion of the two species outside of their natural habitats.
Geographic range and habitat
The Burmese Python is found throughout Southeast Asia including Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. This python is an
excellent swimmer and needs a permanent source of water. It can be found in grasslands, marshes, swamps, rocky foothills, woodlands, river valleys,
and jungles with open clearings. They are good climbers and have prehensile tails.
Wild populations are considered to be "threatened" and are listed on Appendix II of CITES. All the giant pythons (including the Indian Python, the African
Rock Python, and the Reticulated Python) have historically been slaughtered to supply the world leather market, as well as for folk medicines, and
captured for the pet trade. Some are also killed for food, particularly in China. In more recent years extensive captive breeding of the Burmese Python
has made the importation of wild caught specimens for the pet trade uncommon.
Due to the difficulties of raising these as pets, some owners have released them into the wild, creating an established breeding population in Florida.[1]
This has caused widespread concern as they occupy a place at the top of the food chain. Over 230 (National Geographic - October 28, 2005) have
been captured in the Florida Everglades where they are competing with alligators as the dominant predator. In recent years this competition has resulted
in what officials describe as a draw.[2] Recent estimates put the wild population of Burmese Pythons in Florida at approximately 30,000.
Albino Burmese Python at Alligator's Adventure.
Behavior
Burmese Pythons are mainly nocturnal rainforest dwellers.[3] When younger they are equally at home on the ground and in trees, but as they gain girth
they tend to restrict most of their movements to the ground. They are also excellent swimmers, being able to stay submerged for up to half an hour.
Burmese Pythons spend the majority of their time hidden in the underbrush. In the northern parts of its range it may brumate for some months during the
cold season in a hollow tree, a hole in the riverbank or under rocks. Brumation[4] is biologically distinct from hibernation. While the behavior has similar
benefits, specifically to endure the winter without moving, it also involves preparation of both male and female reproductive organs for the upcoming
breeding season.
Burmese Pythons breed in the early spring, with females laying clutches which average 12-36 eggs in March or April. She will remain with the eggs until
they hatch, wrapping around them and twitching her muscles in such a way as to raise the ambient temperature around the eggs by several degrees.
Once the hatchlings use their egg tooth to cut their way out of their eggs, there is no further maternal care. The newly hatched will often remain inside
their egg until they are ready to complete their first shedding of skin, after which they hunt for their first meal.
Diet
Like all snakes, Burmese Pythons are carnivorous. Their diet consisting primarily of appropriately sized birds and mammals. The snake uses its sharp
backward pointing teeth to seize its prey, then wraps its body around the prey at the same time contracting its muscles, killing the prey by asphyxiation.
They are often found near human habitations due to the presence of rats and other vermin as a food source. However, their equal affinity for
domesticated birds and mammals means that they are often treated as a pest. In captivity their diet consists primarily of commercially available,
appropriately sized rats, and moving up to larger items such as rabbits and poultry as they grow. Exceptionally large pythons may even require larger
food items, such as pigs or goats. Larger snakes often save energy by swallowing small, easily-managed prey animals live, without constricting them first.
In captivity
Burmese Pythons are often sold as pets, and are made popular by their attractive colour and apparently easy-going nature. However, these animals
have a rapid growth rate, and will often exceed 7 feet in length in a year if cared for and fed properly. By age 4, they will have reached their adult size,
though they continue growing very slowly throughout their lives, which may exceed 20 years.
While this species has a reputation for docility, they are very powerful animals, capable of inflicting severe bites or even killing a keeper by
constriction[5]. They also consume large amounts of food, and due to their size, require large, often custom-built, secure enclosures, which can be very
expensive.
These snakes, like others, will attempt to hunt, and as pets this means that they will attempt to get out of their cages. Male Burmese pythons will often
attempt escape during their breeding season, which may fall anywhere between September and April.
Cage cleaning can be difficult, as the feces of the snake are large, and adult pythons can produce droppings large enough to require a shovel to pick up.
While this species is gentle, tractable, and attractive, its sheer size and power make it an unsuitable choice for beginning snake keepers, who are all too
often lured into buying one by unscrupulous pet shop owners and their relatively low market value.
A secondary problem with feeding Burmese Pythons is that many owners believe if a snake acts hungry, that it should be fed. As Burmese Pythons are
opportunistic feeders, they will typically eat almost any time food is offered, and often act hungry even when they have recently eaten. This often leads to
overfeeding, and obesity related problems are common in captive Burmese Pythons.
Burmese handling
During a live reptile show, at Reptilia, volunteers from the audience are requested to assist in the handling of a 5 m (approx. 16.5 ft) long female
Burmese Python.Although pythons are typically afraid of people, due to their high stature (especially given that snakes are usually low to the ground),
and will generally avoid people, special care is still required when handling them. A five metre (around 16.5 feet) long Burmese Python is certainly
capable of overpowering and killing a fully grown adult, so it is not advisable to handle such a large snake alone. If the snake does wrap around an
individual, others should be present to unwind the snake, starting at the tail. Many reptile zoos demonstrate proper snake handling technique. Usually the
demonstrator handles the head, while non-professionals can handle the rest of the snake's body. Snakes should be supported firmly but gently.
Variations
The Burmese Python is frequently captive bred for colour, pattern, and more recently size. The albino form of the Burmese Python is especially popular
and is the most widely available morph. They are white with patterns in butterscotch yellow and burnt orange. There are also "Labyrinth" specimens,
which have mazelike patterns, khaki coloured "Green" Burmese pythons, and "Granite" Burmese pythons, which have many small angular spots.
Breeders have recently begun working with an island lineage of Burmese Pythons. Early reports indicate that these "Dwarf" Burmese have a slightly
different colouring and pattern than their mainland relatives and do not grow much over 7 feet (2.1 meters) long. The "Dwarf" Burmese were first
captively reproduced by Beau Lewis of Arizona, USA. One of the most sought-after of these variations is the leucistic Burmese. This particular variety is
very rare, and has not been reproduced in captivity. This snake is entirely bright white with no pattern and black eyes.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Burmese python)
Jump to: navigation, search
Burmese Python
Conservation status
Vulnerable
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species: P. molurus
Subspecies: P. m. bivittatus
Trinomial name
Python molurus bivittatus
Kuhl, 1820
The Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 biggest snakes in the world, native to
rain forest areas of Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees.
The Burmese python is one of the largest of all snakes, growing up to 8 metres (25 feet) and weighing up to 180 kg (400 pounds). It continues to grow
throughout life and the great length is due to the presence of a large number of vertebrae. Females are typically larger than males.
A Burmese Python at Serpent Safari Park in Gurnee, Illinois, USA holds the record for heaviest living snake. As of 2005, it weighs 182.76 kg (403 lb) at a
length of 8.23 m (27 ft).[citation needed]
Contents [hide]
1 Description
2 Geographic range and habitat
3 Behavior
4 Diet
5 In captivity
6 Burmese handling
7 Variations
8 Conservation
9 See also
10 Footnotes
11 References
12 External links
Description
Burmese Pythons are light-coloured snakes with many dark brown blotches bordered in black down the back. The perceived attractiveness of their skin
pattern contributes to their popularity with both reptile keepers and the leather industry. The pattern is similar in colour, but different in actual pattern to
the African Rock Python (Python sebae), sometimes resulting in confusion of the two species outside of their natural habitats.
Geographic range and habitat
The Burmese Python is found throughout Southeast Asia including Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. This python is an
excellent swimmer and needs a permanent source of water. It can be found in grasslands, marshes, swamps, rocky foothills, woodlands, river valleys,
and jungles with open clearings. They are good climbers and have prehensile tails.
Wild populations are considered to be "threatened" and are listed on Appendix II of CITES. All the giant pythons (including the Indian Python, the African
Rock Python, and the Reticulated Python) have historically been slaughtered to supply the world leather market, as well as for folk medicines, and
captured for the pet trade. Some are also killed for food, particularly in China. In more recent years extensive captive breeding of the Burmese Python
has made the importation of wild caught specimens for the pet trade uncommon.
Due to the difficulties of raising these as pets, some owners have released them into the wild, creating an established breeding population in Florida.[1]
This has caused widespread concern as they occupy a place at the top of the food chain. Over 230 (National Geographic - October 28, 2005) have
been captured in the Florida Everglades where they are competing with alligators as the dominant predator. In recent years this competition has resulted
in what officials describe as a draw.[2] Recent estimates put the wild population of Burmese Pythons in Florida at approximately 30,000.
Albino Burmese Python at Alligator's Adventure.
Behavior
Burmese Pythons are mainly nocturnal rainforest dwellers.[3] When younger they are equally at home on the ground and in trees, but as they gain girth
they tend to restrict most of their movements to the ground. They are also excellent swimmers, being able to stay submerged for up to half an hour.
Burmese Pythons spend the majority of their time hidden in the underbrush. In the northern parts of its range it may brumate for some months during the
cold season in a hollow tree, a hole in the riverbank or under rocks. Brumation[4] is biologically distinct from hibernation. While the behavior has similar
benefits, specifically to endure the winter without moving, it also involves preparation of both male and female reproductive organs for the upcoming
breeding season.
Burmese Pythons breed in the early spring, with females laying clutches which average 12-36 eggs in March or April. She will remain with the eggs until
they hatch, wrapping around them and twitching her muscles in such a way as to raise the ambient temperature around the eggs by several degrees.
Once the hatchlings use their egg tooth to cut their way out of their eggs, there is no further maternal care. The newly hatched will often remain inside
their egg until they are ready to complete their first shedding of skin, after which they hunt for their first meal.
Diet
Like all snakes, Burmese Pythons are carnivorous. Their diet consisting primarily of appropriately sized birds and mammals. The snake uses its sharp
backward pointing teeth to seize its prey, then wraps its body around the prey at the same time contracting its muscles, killing the prey by asphyxiation.
They are often found near human habitations due to the presence of rats and other vermin as a food source. However, their equal affinity for
domesticated birds and mammals means that they are often treated as a pest. In captivity their diet consists primarily of commercially available,
appropriately sized rats, and moving up to larger items such as rabbits and poultry as they grow. Exceptionally large pythons may even require larger
food items, such as pigs or goats. Larger snakes often save energy by swallowing small, easily-managed prey animals live, without constricting them first.
In captivity
Burmese Pythons are often sold as pets, and are made popular by their attractive colour and apparently easy-going nature. However, these animals
have a rapid growth rate, and will often exceed 7 feet in length in a year if cared for and fed properly. By age 4, they will have reached their adult size,
though they continue growing very slowly throughout their lives, which may exceed 20 years.
While this species has a reputation for docility, they are very powerful animals, capable of inflicting severe bites or even killing a keeper by
constriction[5]. They also consume large amounts of food, and due to their size, require large, often custom-built, secure enclosures, which can be very
expensive.
These snakes, like others, will attempt to hunt, and as pets this means that they will attempt to get out of their cages. Male Burmese pythons will often
attempt escape during their breeding season, which may fall anywhere between September and April.
Cage cleaning can be difficult, as the feces of the snake are large, and adult pythons can produce droppings large enough to require a shovel to pick up.
While this species is gentle, tractable, and attractive, its sheer size and power make it an unsuitable choice for beginning snake keepers, who are all too
often lured into buying one by unscrupulous pet shop owners and their relatively low market value.
A secondary problem with feeding Burmese Pythons is that many owners believe if a snake acts hungry, that it should be fed. As Burmese Pythons are
opportunistic feeders, they will typically eat almost any time food is offered, and often act hungry even when they have recently eaten. This often leads to
overfeeding, and obesity related problems are common in captive Burmese Pythons.
Burmese handling
During a live reptile show, at Reptilia, volunteers from the audience are requested to assist in the handling of a 5 m (approx. 16.5 ft) long female
Burmese Python.Although pythons are typically afraid of people, due to their high stature (especially given that snakes are usually low to the ground),
and will generally avoid people, special care is still required when handling them. A five metre (around 16.5 feet) long Burmese Python is certainly
capable of overpowering and killing a fully grown adult, so it is not advisable to handle such a large snake alone. If the snake does wrap around an
individual, others should be present to unwind the snake, starting at the tail. Many reptile zoos demonstrate proper snake handling technique. Usually the
demonstrator handles the head, while non-professionals can handle the rest of the snake's body. Snakes should be supported firmly but gently.
Variations
The Burmese Python is frequently captive bred for colour, pattern, and more recently size. The albino form of the Burmese Python is especially popular
and is the most widely available morph. They are white with patterns in butterscotch yellow and burnt orange. There are also "Labyrinth" specimens,
which have mazelike patterns, khaki coloured "Green" Burmese pythons, and "Granite" Burmese pythons, which have many small angular spots.
Breeders have recently begun working with an island lineage of Burmese Pythons. Early reports indicate that these "Dwarf" Burmese have a slightly
different colouring and pattern than their mainland relatives and do not grow much over 7 feet (2.1 meters) long. The "Dwarf" Burmese were first
captively reproduced by Beau Lewis of Arizona, USA. One of the most sought-after of these variations is the leucistic Burmese. This particular variety is
very rare, and has not been reproduced in captivity. This snake is entirely bright white with no pattern and black eyes.
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