Introduction
The Burmese Python is one of the largest species of snake in the world. They are native to much of South and South-East Asia where they are commonly found in near bodies of water.
Just like other Pythons, the Burmese Python is a non-venomous constrictor snake, meaning it kills its prey by coiling its huge body around its prey and constricting it until it suffocates.
Burmese Python Description
This is a huge snake that can grow to be over 18ft in length. This is rare however, with most captive bred Burms reaching about 12ft in length. Burmese Pythons are dark in colour and usually have brown blotches all over their body. These brown patches are usually surrounded by a blackened outer layer. The colouration of these snakes is very similar to an African Rock Python, which often causes confusion outside of their natural range.
In captivity, the albino Burm is probably more common than the wild type. This snake is white with yellow blotches. They are a very heavy bodied snake and while generally docile, extreme care should be taken while handling them.
Females generally don’t grow too much longer than males although they are considerably heavier and bulkier than males.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
Burmese pythons are found throughout Southern and Southeast Asia ranging from Eastern India to Hong Kong, and down into countries such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
They thrive in a wide range of habitats and can be found in grasslands, swamps, woodlands, river valleys, marshes and jungles. They are usually found around bodies of water and are excellent swimmers.
They are considered an evasive species in Florida. It is believed that the snakes escaped a breeding facility and zoo during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and have gone on to establish a large population in the Florida Everglades. This is a big problem for native wildlife such as Foxes, Rabbits, Raccoons and White-Tailed Deer whose populations have drastically decreased since the introduction of the Burmese Python to the Everglades.
Burmese Python Behaviour
The Burmese Python is a nocturnal snake that is primarily found near bodies of water. They are exceptional swimmers and can stay submerged for up to half an hour without surfacing for air. They are mainly a ground dwelling snake but juveniles will spend much of their time in the trees.
They tend to be a solitary species and are usually only found in pairs when mating. They have heat-sensing pits along their lips that allow them to detect warm blooded animals. They will use this, along with scent to stalk their prey.
Burmese Pythons as Pets
The Burmese Python isn’t suitable for beginners due to its large size. They are the most popular large species in captivity due to their docile nature but should only be kept by experienced keepers. While docile, there is still the possibility that one of these powerful snakes can hurt you.
A bite from a Burmese Python can cause serious injury and their powerful muscles have the ability to constrict a human, so large specimens shouldn’t be handled without at least one other person present.
With proper care and safety measures, these snakes can make great captive animals. Their large size can be very impressive, while their docile nature make them a better option than other larger species such as the Yellow Anaconda.
Feeding a Burmese Python
A hatchling Burmese Python is capable of eating a large mouse on its first feed. As these snakes use heat sensing pits to detect prey, it is important to ensure that the food item is slightly warmer than the surrounding area. Placing the defrosted food in a sealed bag and submerging it in water is a good way to heat it up but do not cook the prey.
As the snake grows it will require more food to sustain it and will quickly consume a couple of mice at each feeding. At this point they should be moved up to appropriately sized rats. By the time the snake reaches about 6ft, it will be consuming large rats. As they continue to grow they will need to be fed appropriately sized rabbits or even chickens.
While hatchlings can be fed once or twice a week to accommodate growth, an adult Burmese Python only needs to be fed every two or three weeks. The food item should be around the same size as the thickness of its body.
You should not feed a Burmese Python live prey as it can injure the snake. Most prey items fed to snakes have sharp teeth and claws and can injure your snake if he doesn’t eat it straight away. In the wild, the rodent will have the opportunity to run away if the snake doesn’t choose to eat it. However, in a confined space, such as an enclosure, the rodent will be forced to defend itself against attack. This is cruel for both the snake and the rodent.
The most convenient option is to feed your snake frozen thawed prey. These are available from most pet stores or can be bought in bulk from suppliers. Another option used by some breeders is to feed freshly killed rodents. This would require you to breed your own supply of rodents and isn’t an option for most people. Never feed your snake wild rodents as they will likely carry disease and mites that can make your snake sick.
It is a good idea to feed a Burmese Python outside of its cage. This is a large reptile that can cause serious injury if you are not careful. Feeding your snake in their enclosure may trigger a feeding response when you open the cage. The chances of this can be minimised by feeding the snake in a separate container or enclosure.
Burmese Python Housing
As this is primarily a terrestrial snake spending most of its time on the ground, floor space is the most important factor when selecting an enclosure. The enclosure should be large enough for the snake to comfortably move around in. Keep in mind that these snakes grow very large so a juvenile will quickly be outgrown.
A hatchling Burmese Python can be comfortably kept in a 2 or 3ft long terrarium. The size of the enclosure will need to be increased as the snake grows with a large adult Burm requiring at least an 8ft x 4ft enclosure. You can put juveniles in larger enclosures so they don’t have to be upgraded too often as long as you ensure there are adequate hides for the snake to feel secure. However, hatchlings should be kept in relatively small enclosures to allow them to feel safe.
Wooden enclosures are the most popular choice for large snakes as they are the cheapest to buy or build. Wood is a good insulator which will make temperature control easier. The enclosure should have vents to allow for air exchanges, one vent on either end of the enclosure is enough. Too many vents will make it difficult to control humidity. The viewing panel whether made of glass or clear plastic must be thick and strong as this is a powerful snake.
A large water bowl should be present in the enclosure at all times. This water bowl will have two functions. It will provide clean water for your snake to drink and it will also help increase the humidity of the enclosure. Juveniles will enjoy soaking in the water bowl but as the snake grows it may not be possibly to supply a water bowl large enough for this. In such an instance, the snake should be given regular baths. They will enjoy being submerged in the bathtub and may not surface for air for up to half an hour.
Light and Heat
A Burmese Python requires a basking area of around 32oC (90F). The cooler end of the enclosure can be around 29oC (85F). At night temperatures can drop to 26oC (80F). The most common methods of applying heat is through a heat mat or heat lamp.
A heat mat or heat tape can be used to supply belly heat to the snake. This is achieved by the snake resting on the heat source. An overhead heat lamp or ceramic bulb can also be used to heat the enclosure. Overhead lamps heat the enclosure by raising the air temperature.
Whatever heat source you choose, ensure it is set up at one end of the enclosure. This provides a thermal gradient within the enclosure, with the temperature decreasing as you move further from the heat source. This gives the snake the option to regulate its body temperature.
Substrate
A Burmese Python will do well on a wide range of substrates. It is very difficult to provide a naturalistic vivarium for these snakes due to their size. But if you choose for a natural looking substrate, aspen shavings or Beech chippings are a good option. Both these substrates can be easily replaced when soiled by spot cleaning and should be completely replaced every month or so. However, it will take a large amount of shavings to cover the floor area of the enclosure.
Newspaper or paper towels are an inexpensive option. They work great and can easily be replaced when soiled. For such a large snake, keeping things simple is probably the best option.
Artificial grass is another great option if you are looking for a naturalistic look. You should have two or three different pieces for each enclosure. This allows you to rotate the pieces for cleaning as they become soiled. A great advantage of artificial grass is that the cheaper versions are often the most suitable for reptiles. Cheaper artificial grass is generally softer and more flexible than expensive realistic looking artificial grass. This makes it less likely to harm the belly of your snake.
Do not use Soft Woods such as Cedar for substrate in a reptile enclosure. While it is a very common substrate for small mammals and birds, it is toxic to reptiles. Several species of Cedar are known to be particularly dangerous, such as White Cedar, Japanese Cedar and Western Red Cedar. Pine and other Eucalyptus trees produce aromatic phenols which are reportedly toxic to reptile.
Shedding
Juvenile Burmese Pythons will shed quite often as they grow quickly. This is completely natural and does not harm the snake in any way. Older snakes will shed less frequently but will continue to do so for the duration of their life.
After your snake has finished shedding, do a quick examination to ensure there is no stuck shed. Common areas for stuck shed include around the eyes and the tail. Stuck shed can be easily removed by giving your snake a warm bath. During the bath the stuck shed can be easily rubbed away.
Handling a Burmese Python
The Burmese Python is regarded as the most docile of the large snake species. However, it is important to remember that this is still a snake that has the ability to seriously injure you. When handling a large Burmese Python, you should always have at least one other person present in case something goes wrong.
If you do not handle your snake regularly and most of your interactions with it are for feeding, it can become conditioned to associating you with feeding time. This doesn’t mean that it views you as its next meal but that it is expecting a meal when you open the cage. This is the leading cause of snake bites amongst docile snakes.
Breeding Burmese Pythons
The Burmese Python has been successfully bred in captivity for a long time and much has been learned about the process. Most Burmese Pythons reach sexual maturity at about 3-4 years of age. Males should be at least 6ft before breeding while females should be at least 9ft.
Burmese Pythons go through a cooling period to promote breeding and only snakes in top condition should be put through this as it will take a lot out of them. Most breeders start the cooling period in November, where temperatures can be reduced to about 24oC (75F). Daylight hours can also be reduced to 8-10hrs and you should not offer your snake any food. This is completely normal and mimics the snakes breeding pattern in the wild.
In mid-November, gradually start increasing the temperatures and daylight hours back to the normal range. It is at this time you should introduce the male to the female. You can continue to breed the snakes until you are sure you got a successful lock.
It can take up to a month for the female to ovulate. At this point, pairing should stop. The female will have her pre-lay shed 2-3 weeks after ovulation and the clutch is typically laid about 30 days after this shed. Clutch size typically ranges anywhere from 20-80 eggs. Be very careful handling the female around this time as they can get very protective of the eggs.
The eggs should be removed and incubated at 32oC (90F). The eggs will typically hatch anywhere between 55 and 70 days. The hatchlings can be setup in individual enclosures. They can be offered their first meal about a week after hatching and are capable of eating a large mouse.
It is recommended to do as much research as possible before purchasing your reptile. If you are planning to purchase one of these snakes, read as many Burmese Python Care Sheets as you can in advance.
Conservation
The Burmese Python is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This designation reflects concerns about its declining population due to habitat loss, overhunting for their skins and the pet trade.
Despite being native to Southeast Asia, they have become an invasive species in Florida, where they pose a threat to native wildlife. Conservation efforts focus on managing their populations in their native range and controlling their spread in areas where they are invasive.