Burmese python

Burmese python
Two albino Burmese pythons
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Ophidia
Family:	Boidae
Subfamily:	Pythonidae
Genus:	Python
Species:	P. molurus
Trinomial name
Python molurus bivittatus Kuhl, 1820

The Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) is a very large python native to southern Asia, and common in the exotic pet trade. It is semi-arboreal, but heavy-bodied. A Burmese python at Serpent Safari Park in Gurnee, Illinois, USA holds the record for heaviest living snake, with a weight of 182.76 kg (403 lb) at a length of 8.23 m (27 ft) as of 2005.^[1] Females are typically larger than males.

They are light colored snakes with many dark brown blotches covering them in an attractive pattern, which has further increased their popularity with both reptile keepers and the leather industry. The pattern is similar in color, but different in actual pattern to the African rock python, sometimes resulting in confusion of the two species outside of their habitats.

Their natural prey are birds and mammals. They are often found near villages 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 not always welcome.

The Burmese python is capable of raising its body temperature while incubating its eggs; by twitching its muscles it increases the temperature to slightly above that of the ambient air.

Burmese Python

Burmese pythons as pets

Juvenile Burmese pythons are often sold as pets, and are made popular by their colour and apparently easy-going nature. However, these animals have a rapid growth rate, and will often exceed 7 feet in length by their first birthday 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. In more mundane concerns, they 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. Cage cleaning can be difficult, as the faeces 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.

Ecological concerns

Due to the difficulties of raising these as pets, some owners have released them into the wild. This has caused wide spread concern as they occupy a place at the top of the food chain. Over 230 (National Geographic - October 28th 05) 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]

They are listed as a CITES Appendix II species, which restricts their exportation from their native habitat, but due to the ease of captive breeding, taking animals from the wild is not as common as it once was.

Variations

The Burmese python is frequently captive bred for color, 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 colored "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 retain the coloration and gentle nature of their mainland relatives, but do not grow much over 7 feet (2.1 meters) long.

The most sought-after of these variations is the leucistic Burmese. This particular variety is very rare and as of 2006 a leucistic Burmese will likely cost many thousands of dollars if available at all. This snake is entirely bright white with no pattern and black eyes.

Gallery

• 
  Two albino Burmese pythons
• 
  Burmese Python
• 
  Burmese python at Alligator's Adventure.
• 
  Burmese python at Alligator's Adventure.

See also

• Exploding snake

References

• Mattison, Chris (1999). Snake. DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7894-4660-X.