In the wild the Burmese Python is found in India to lower China, the Malay Peninsula (Burma or Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam), and East Indies. The presence of a large number of breeders means that you can find captive bred pythons easily. However, the skin trade and folk medicinal practices still cause exploitation of any wild specimens. Burmese pythons are listed as a threatened species by both the I.U.C.N. (International Union For Conservation of Nature and Natural resources), and C.I.T.E.S. (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species).
Anatomical Characteristics:
Burmese Pythons have a bold coloured pattern in brown and yellows. They have small anal spurs. These single claws are the vestigial remains of hind legs which the snakes lost during evolution from lizards to snakes. Hatched from eggs, baby pythons grow rapidly to an average length of 20 feet (6 meters) and weigh as much as 200 pounds (91 Kg). They have heat sensors on their upper lip and have a very good sense of smell. Their jaws can unhinge in order to be able to swallow prey larger than their head. Their method of killing is by holding the prey steady with their mouths and coiling themselves around it and then squeezing their prey until it stops breathing, thus suffocating it to death. The lifespan of a Burmese python is around 25 years if kept in good conditions.
Burmese Pythons are diurnal and carnivores. Being cold-blooded, they soak up the early morning sun to get them started and also to help them digest any food in their bellies. Living naturally in rainforests, they like water and are excellent swimmers.
These snakes should be handled frequently since a young age. Although generally considered as docile pets, they have killed their owners or an owner’s relative on more than one occasion. Children should not have the possibility to access the Python. When Burmese Pythons grow to over 8 feet long, it is recommended that 2 people be present during handling, just in case it is having a bad day!
Sexing:
Female Burmese Pythons are usually larger than males. Males have longer anal spurs and a wider tail at its base than do females.
Feeding:
In the wild, Burmese Pythons eat a variety of food, including lizards, amphibians, birds, mammals and even other snakes. However, wild pythons also develop an immune system resistant to viruses, something a captive Burmese cannot do. Therefore in captivity, they should be fed only purposely bred mice, rats and rabbits. These can be bought from pet stores. Avoid giving it food which is wider than its body. Also avoid handling it after it has fed, as it may regurgitate its food. After feeding a Burmese Python, make sure to provide a warm area which it needs to go to in order to digest its food.
Health:
Any Burmese Python in good health should have clear, firm skin; a rounded body shape; clear vents and eyes and that actually flickers its tongue when handled.
Buying:
Remember that Burmese Pythons will become very, very large pets, so make sure that you have enough potential space where to keep it in comfort. The area it will be kept in should be secure enough as to not allow children to enter, and also so as to prevent the Burmese Python to escape.
