The Burmese Python is one of the biggest snakes in the world, and can be found in your home! It is a matter of whether they be an appropriate snake for those who are just beginning?
Most often, a gentle giant this snake is surprisingly gentle in people. It may be big however, he’s popular as a pet and is relatively affordable. Most often, he has an animal-like, brown colour pattern, however, there is a possibility that he has an albino look too!
The snakes originate native to the southeast of Asia However, they are now an invading species that has spread to the southern part of Florida because of their warm climate permits them to flourish.
They need to be consistent however, this routine can be done if it is truly the right choice for you!
Burmese Pythons need an experienced and knowledgeable owner with a commitment to active care and fully equipped to manage the size of the Python. If you believe you’re well-prepared, continue reading for a thorough understanding of how to manage, feed and take care of this Python.
Are Burmese Pythons good pets?
The Burmese Python is among one of the biggest snakes that move around on Earth. They’re native to Southeast Asia and spread all over Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the southeastern region of China.
The snake was first identified as a species in 1820 by European naturalist Heinrich Kuhl in 1820. Kuhl identified this snake under the name Python bivittatus. However, it was not until 1910 that the snake was identified as a subspecies of Python mourus.
Since 1910, it was classified as Python bivittatus molurus The only other subspecies of the family is known as The Indian Python.
This huge Python can grow to be a massive 21 feet in length and weigh in excess of 200 pounds.
Typically, they are found with dark and light pattern of leopard like spots however recently, albinos and Burmese Pythons that are yellow and banana-colored have been identified.
This snake is distinctive in the reptile world for the way it eats very little. They might eat once few weeks or even for months and the food they consume could be as large as the animals they eat. When they eat, they almost increase in size. Due to this, they’ve been a subject of study for scientists who are fascinated by the exceptional adaptations of snakes.
Regarding husbandry they require lighting and heating, just like most serpents need (ball python). They also require well-maintained enclosure to avoid disease.
| Summary Table | |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Burmese Python |
| Scientific Name | Python molurus bivittatus |
| Adult Size | 15-21ft |
| Adult Weight | 40-200lb |
| Lifespan | Between 30 and 30 years old |
| Diet | Small mammals |
| Tank Size | 5 feet x 5 feet 10 ft (adults) |
| Temperature | Humidity 60 percent Temperatures ranging from 80 to 86 degrees. |
| Popular Alternatives | Indian Python |
Burmese Python Care Sheet
They are native to the tropical southeast region of Asia and their habitat comprises mangrove forest, tropical lowlands rainforest, wet grasslands as well as coastal plains. This natural habitat that has enabled for the species to flourish within Everglades National Park in Florida.
When taking care of the Burmese Python in captivity, you must remember that they live in the ground and, therefore, their enclosure must be much larger than its height and they will require an environment that is humid and warm (just as their natural habitat).
Housing Requirements
Baby Burmese Pythons are kept in individual twenty-gallon plastic tanks. As they get bigger, they’ll require relocation into larger enclosures (they will expand quickly):
- A 9-month python requires an area of at minimum 3 feet x 1.5ft in size 1.5ft
- Adult Pythons require an enclosure that measures 5ft by 5ft by 10ft.
For both enclosures at most one side of their tank must be made of glass as well as a sturdy top for the enclosure is an excellent idea to stop any escape.
Babies may require an soaking dish, however adult snakes don’t need the soaking dish as frequently. No matter if they soak in or out, you snake should always have access drinking water. Make sure you give branches and logs your snake, to provide them with places to conceal.
Heating and Lighting
Burmese Pythons require tanks that range from 80 and 86, with a high humidity around 60 percent. The tank must have 14 hours of sunlight as well as 10 hours of dark.
Heating under tanks can be a good option for snakes with younger age but adult snakes should be heated with ceramic or infrared lamps. They also require the space for basking that is around 90.
A few owners opt to gift them a blanket folded that they can lie in to feel more comfortable. The fluorescence light can also be used in addition to the bulb that is heated.
Substrate
The soil and synthetic grass is the ideal material to use for creating a stunning habitat. Both of them are hard to maintain and, when you think about the ease of maintenance for the caretaker the majority of people opt for newspapers or paper towels as their simple and quick replacement.
The benefit of using paper towels is that they show the growth of bacteria more easily than soil or grass and are also much easier to wash (especially in large tanks).
Burmese Pythons can be susceptible to respiratory infections caused by bacteria, regular care is crucial to keep them healthy. They require an environment that is clean and free of bacteria.
| Tank Tips | |
|---|---|
| Tank Type | Glass |
| Lighting | Lighting with fluorescence |
| Heating | Ceramic Heating Device |
| The Best Substrate | Soil |
What Food Should I Give To A Burmese Python?
The metabolism and diet of this snake has caught the attention of a lot of researchers.
They have the ability to grow their mouths to accommodate a food that could be as large as the snake. They’ve been observed to devour big and small mammals alike and have even been known to devour alligators and deer whole.
Wild, Burmese Pythons typically consume the deer, monitor lizards and large rodents and ground-dwelling bird species.
Like most snakes, they’re an active predator that sits and waits. They are patiently waiting for their prey to come in rather than actively hunting for it. The animal will only eat every few weeks, or months.
The time they are spending on hunting is a result of the amount of energy they expend on digestion of their food within the stomach. The process starts as they capture their prey with a lung and digging their teeth into it. They destroy their prey by forming a web around it, crushing it and then suffocating it. Then , the python opens its jaws and swallows the entire meal and head first.
The eating behavior that is observed on the open range needs to be replicated in the captive environment. Your Burmese Python should eat each two weeks (if not less frequently) Their food must be around the same size as them:
- Babies, they should eat mice that are pink
- Juveniles, they ought to be eating several rodents, large rats, or rabbits of a smaller size
- Adults can enjoy a huge rabbit or even a whole bird
Their food must be fresh frozen and usually 30% to 50 percent of the snake’s body weight.
After you’ve Burmese Python has consumed his dinner, don’t be concerned when he appears to be larger! After eating their small intestines liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys and pancreas increase in size dramatically ( a trait unique to this particular species of snake).
| Diet Summary | |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Zero percent of the diet |
| Insects | The diet is 0%. |
| Meat | 100% of the diet Mice and rats, rabbits and even chickens |
Common Health Problems
As with all reptiles the Burmese Pythons are well-behaved in the wild. As long as they’re well cared for and good care, they can live for as long as 30 years but they are susceptible to some ailments. Certain breeds have various heart conditions and lesions. Signs of this include swelling around the mouth and the heart and a bluish color inside their mouths.
Burmese Pythons also are vulnerable to upper respiratory tract infections which can lead to pneumonia and bronchitis.
If your python has been wheezing or has nasal discharge, it could be a sign of respiratory discomfort. This is usually caused by bad husbandry, especially the dirty enclosure, or the frigid temperatures within their tank. Cold temperatures could cause death if temperatures are too low..
Another problem that snakes are vulnerable to is egg retention , or ruptured oviductal during the birth. To detect this, you will need an appointment with a vet as you need to be able palpate and feel the area where an egg remains stuck.
If you suspect one or more of these diseases in you Burmese Python, it is advised to talk to your vet and get an ultrasound or an x-ray should it be necessary.
Due to how little they consume food, they typically do not have a problem with obesity in comparison to the other types. But, you must keep an eye on their size, especially in the growth spurts of the early years of their lives.
Tank Cleaning
For keeping your Python healthy, ensure that you maintain the correct temperature, light times, and suitable nesting spot; avoiding these diseases is simple by maintaining a healthy environment and good sanitation.
Be sure to keep the enclosure clean and keep the right temp (between the 80 to 86 degrees). Clean the cage spot-on and make sure you provide water that is fresh every day. Don’t let the huge dimensions of the tank stop you from doing your cleaning!
Burmese Pythons usually feces 8-14 days after eating, their feces will be brown and quite solid. This is an opportunity to do an intensive clean and change the substrate.
| The Signs of Health | The symptoms of sickness |
|---|---|
| Sucking in prey completely | Unable to eat when given food |
| Breathing normally | Nasal discharge or wheezing |
| Growing in size after eating | Atypical swelling that is not connected to food |
Are Burmese Pythons aggressive?
When they are in the wild they’re alone and unmoving. They don’t tend to communicate with one another as mating time is usually the sole occasion you’ll see them in groups.
Cohabitation is a more complicated subject in the case of Burmese Python. The cohabitation of two snakes can increase level of stress. If it’s required the answer is yes. feasible, but we’d advise against it if it is possible to keep this out of the way.
If you have to house two of them for reasons of any kind, they should both be healthy adult Pythons. Because Pythons are known to be aggressive towards their prey while eating, it is hard to feed two Pythons together. Certain species have been known to turn to cannibalism in the event that they get involved in fights over food.
They don’t have a clear way to talk to each other. They are great swimmers and are near the water, but are mostly inactive. They do not actively hunt and the majority the energy they expend is consumed by digesting.
In captivity, they’ll also be inactive. Most often, they will play or hide within branches or logs.
Handling Advice
In terms of the handling of their prey, they’re gentle animals and seldom attack their owners. Burmese Pythons aren’t venomous.
Prior to and after dealing with any reptile You must always clean your hands. This ensures proper hygiene for you as well as your pet. You should handle your pet regularly from an early age to ensure that they are familiar with being handled. This can help avoid the unmanageable 100-pound animal in the near future.
These massive snakes require appropriate handling. As he grows into an adult size, it is essential that he have the assistance of at minimum two persons. They are large and weighty to be handled by just only one person. It is not recommended to handle him when eating or while digesting food that could last for many days.
Many people allow them to go, or in euthanasia because the owners are unable to handle this large of a beast. This is the reason the python is now an invading animal in Florida.
Appearance
Burmese Python Burmese Python is a subspecies of Python Molurus, and is very similar in terms of species. One of the few noticeable distinct features is their rectangular head shape in comparison to rattlesnakes water snakes and cottonmouths.
What makes the Burmese Python apart from other snakes for pets is its impressive dimension! The only real difference between the two species is the fact that females are generally larger than males.
The pythons have a light color and dark brown spots. Their blotches are lined with black. The pythons bellies are always light. Their tops on their heads are dark and have lighter stripes either side of their heads, beginning from the temporal area. Albino Pythons sport the same designs, however they come with banana-yellow and white colors instead of brown shades.
How Big Does Burmese Pythons Grow?
Its size Burmese Python is their most well-known characteristic. Females of average age measure 21 feet and weigh anywhere from 80 to 200 pounds. Males are around 15 feet tall and weigh between 40 and 110 pounds.
| Age | Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchling | 10-30 inches | 100-115 grams |
| 3 months | 16-40 inches | between 190 and 650 grams |
| 9 months | 40-50 inches | 570-780 grams |
Females attain sexual maturity around 18 months. Any snake that weighs more than 200 pounds and with a length of more than feet larger that 21 feet or more is thought to be to be large.
Purchase a Burmese Python
They are thought to be in danger in their homeland, as they are regularly hunted down and killed to preserve their skin.
In the late 90s to 2005 between the mid 90s and 2006 in the US around 100 000 Burmese Pythons came into the US. Although they are considered to be exotic reptiles but they are widely breeding in the pet trade , and established in the southern part of Florida.
To ensure that you do not interfere with their home To avoid any further interference with their native habitat, you must purchase your Burmese from a person with a captive breeding program as well as is knowledgeable about handling. The reason why this snake is dominating in the Florida Everglades is because many reptile owners aren’t equipped to handle such a huge snake.
What is the cost of Burmese Pythons Price? ?
They are quite affordable when compared with other pet snakes , and can be purchased for as low at $20 US. Some pet stores will sell them at prices ranging from $65-$80.
They are, of course, species variants that are more expensive. The albino coloration is somewhat higher at $500 USD.
Young Burmese Python
Males will entice females by using tongue flicks. He may raise his head towards her dorsal aspect, and she could react with jerks of her body. The courtship process begins when the male takes females and reassembles his body into an shape of a c. He continues to move by sliding his body called Writhing.
Burmese Pythons typically breed between November and March..
They lay eggs for 65-120 weeks after breeding. typically being laid between the broad variation of eggs between 8 and 107 per clutch. Eggs hatch between 53 and 88 days after they’ve laid. Temperature doesn’t alter the sex of eggs that hatch.
>>>Snakes lay eggs? 3 ways snakes give birth
Care Guide Summary
| Why We Our Hearts | What makes them difficult? |
|---|---|
| Very calm and gentle | A routine of care demands commitment |
| Popular and affordable | The risk of infection is increased. |
| Massive size and weight | A size that is too large for many |
The Burmese Python is a gentle snake that can be an excellent, though huge, addition to a home.
Their huge cage demands an ongoing cleaning schedule, and despite their infrequent eating but they do eat a lot of food that need to be provided by their owners.
Reptile owners who aren’t prepared to handle this snake are the reason for the spread of this species in the southern part of Florida Anyone who is considering purchasing the Burmese Python must be 100 100% confident in their handling skills and handling abilities.
It is feasible for a novice to possess some of them however, they need to understand that they’re taking on a responsibility to a period of time that could last for 30 years.
A snake that is as gentle but is smaller in size is the fad Ball Python, one which is the most popular snake for beginners to start with. If you already have or are contemplating purchasing the Burmese Python do let The Reptile Bay know via the form below.
