Burmese python facts for kids
The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is one of the biggest snakes in the world. It naturally lives in a large part of Southeast Asia. This snake is listed as Vulnerable, meaning its numbers are decreasing. Until 2009, people thought it was a type of Indian python. Now, it is known as its own unique species. In Florida, USA, it has become an invasive species. This means it is not native there and causes problems for the local wildlife. These pythons got to Florida because of the pet trade.
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About the Burmese Python
The Burmese python is a dark snake. It has many brown spots with black borders along its back. This snake is not venomous, so it does not have poison.
In the wild, these pythons usually grow to about 5 meters (16 feet) long. Some stories say they can be over 7 meters (23 feet), but these are not proven. Female pythons are usually a bit longer than males. They are also much heavier and wider. For example, a female python that is 4.5 meters (14.8 feet) long can weigh 40 kilograms (88 pounds). A male python of 3 meters (9.8 feet) might only weigh 7 kilograms (15 pounds).
Snakes over 5 meters (16 feet) are rare. The longest Burmese python ever caught was 5.79 meters (19 feet) long. This happened in Florida in 2023. The heaviest snake ever recorded was a Burmese python named "Baby." She weighed 182.8 kilograms (403 pounds) and was 5.74 meters (18.8 feet) long. This was much heavier than any wild snake. In some places like Java and Bali, there are smaller types of Burmese pythons. They usually grow to about 2 meters (6.6 feet) long.
Snake Health Issues
Burmese pythons can get a parasitic disease. It is caused by a tiny worm called Raillietiella orientalis. This disease affects them in both their native homes and where they have become invasive.
Where They Live
Burmese pythons live across Southern and Southeast Asia. This includes countries like eastern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of southern China. They also live on islands like Java and Bali in Indonesia.
These snakes are excellent swimmers. They need a constant source of water nearby. They live in many different places. These include grasslands, swamps, rocky areas, and jungles. They are also good climbers and have a tail that can grip things. They can stay underwater for about 30 minutes. However, they mostly stay on land.
An Invasive Species in Florida
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Burmese pythons have become a big problem in South Florida. Many of them now live in the Florida Everglades. Between 1996 and 2006, over 90,000 pythons were brought into the U.S. for the pet trade.
Some pythons escaped during Hurricane Andrew in 1992. They got out of a breeding center and a zoo. These escaped snakes then started to reproduce and spread in the Everglades. Now, there are so many that they are considered an invasive species. This means they harm the local environment.
By 2007, these pythons were found in other parts of Florida too. In 2012, the United States banned bringing Burmese pythons into the country.
These pythons eat many native animals. In areas where pythons live, animal populations have dropped a lot. For example, raccoons have decreased by 99.3%. Opossums are down by 98.9%, and white-tailed deer by 94.1%. Even bobcats have decreased by 87.3%. Rabbits have almost disappeared in some places. Pythons also compete with native predators like the American alligator for food. They have even been seen attacking and eating alligators.
Researchers found that pythons in the Everglades eat at least 25 different types of birds. This includes the wood stork, which is an endangered bird.
People are trying to remove the pythons from Florida. One big effort is the Florida Python Challenge. This is a contest where people hunt and remove pythons. In 2013, 68 pythons were removed. The challenge gives prizes for the longest python and the most pythons caught. It helps people learn about the problem and get involved. In 2023, 209 pythons were removed by over 1,000 participants.
Scientists are also finding new ways to track pythons. One method involves checking mosquito blood. Mosquitoes bite pythons, so their blood can show where pythons are.
Pythons in Florida also face challenges. Unlike pythons in Asia, they eat all year round because there is always food. But they are sensitive to cold. Cold winters can kill many of them. Scientists are studying how pythons are adapting to these cold snaps.
These invasive pythons also brought a parasite with them from Asia. It is called Raillietiella orientalis. Now, other reptiles in Florida are getting this parasite too.
Large pythons are still being found. In 2019, a python over 5.18 meters (17 feet) long was caught. It weighed 63.5 kilograms (140 pounds) and had 73 eggs inside. In 2021, an even bigger python was caught. It weighed 97.5 kilograms (215 pounds) and was 5.49 meters (18 feet) long. It had a record 122 eggs. In 2023, a 5.79 meter (19 feet) python weighing 56.7 kilograms (125 pounds) was caught.
Python Behavior
Burmese pythons are mostly active at night. They live in rainforests. When they are young, they can climb trees and move on the ground. As they get bigger, they mostly stay on the ground. They are also great swimmers. They can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes. Most of the time, Burmese pythons hide in thick plants.
In colder areas, pythons may go into a special sleep during winter. This is called brumation. They hide in hollow trees or under rocks. Brumation helps them survive the cold. It also prepares them for breeding. Pythons in Florida also go through brumation.
Pythons usually live alone. They only come together to mate. They breed in early spring. Females lay 12 to 36 eggs in March or April. The mother python stays with her eggs until they hatch. She wraps her body around them and twitches her muscles. This helps keep the eggs warm. Once the babies hatch, the mother does not care for them anymore. The baby pythons often stay in their eggs until they shed their first skin. Then, they go hunting for their first meal.
Asexual Reproduction
Sometimes, Burmese pythons in zoos can reproduce without a male. This is called asexual reproduction. The babies are exact copies, or clones, of their mother. This happens through a special change in how their cells divide.
What They Eat
Like all snakes, Burmese pythons are meat-eaters. They mostly eat birds and mammals. They also eat amphibians and other reptiles. They are "sit-and-wait" predators. This means they stay still and wait for prey to come close. Then, they strike very quickly.
The python grabs its prey with its sharp teeth. Then, it wraps its body around the animal. It squeezes the animal to kill it. This is called constriction. After that, the python swallows its prey whole.
Pythons are often found near people's homes. This is because there are rats, mice, and other small animals there for food. But they also eat farm animals like chickens and goats. So, people sometimes see them as pests.
In Florida, invasive pythons eat many small mammals. This includes foxes, rabbits, and raccoons. Because they eat so much, they have caused many mammal populations to decrease or even disappear. They also eat birds and sometimes other reptiles. Very large pythons can even eat bigger animals like pigs, goats, alligators, and adult deer.
How They Digest Food
Burmese pythons are amazing at digesting large meals. Scientists study them to learn about digestion. These snakes often go a long time without eating. They might eat every month or two. Sometimes, they can even fast for 18 months!
When a python is fasting, its digestive organs shrink to save energy. But after it eats a big meal, its whole digestive system changes quickly. The intestines grow, the stomach makes a lot of acid, and even the heart gets bigger. This helps them digest the huge meal.
Digesting food uses a lot of energy. The snake's breathing increases greatly. This is because it takes a lot of energy to restart the digestive system. It needs to rebuild the stomach and intestines. It also needs to make a lot of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This acid breaks down the food. The python needs to break down the whole animal without chewing it.
The most energy is used in the first few days after eating. The whole digestion process takes about 8 to 14 days.
Protecting Pythons
The Burmese python is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN Red List. This means its wild population has dropped by at least 30% in the last 10 years. This is due to losing their homes and being hunted too much.
To protect them, experts suggest stronger laws to stop too much hunting. They also recommend more research into how many pythons are left and what threatens them. In places like Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia, the Burmese python is a protected species. However, they are still common only in Hong Kong and Thailand. In other areas, they are rare.
Burmese Pythons as Pets
Burmese pythons are often sold as pets. People like their colors and calm nature. But they grow very fast. They can reach over 2.1 meters (7 feet) in just one year if they are fed a lot. This can cause health problems later. By age four, they reach their adult size. They can live for more than 20 years.
Even though they seem calm, these snakes are very strong. They can bite badly and even kill by squeezing. They also eat a lot of food. Because of their size, they need very large, strong cages.
Sadly, some owners let their pythons go into the wild. This is how they became an invasive species in places like Florida. Because of this, some places have rules about keeping Burmese pythons as pets. In Florida, breaking these rules can lead to big fines or even jail time.
Burmese pythons will eat almost any time food is offered. They often act hungry even if they just ate. Because of this, pet pythons are often overfed. This can lead to them becoming overweight.
Burmese pythons are generally calm or shy. If they are cared for well, they can get used to being around people.
Handling Large Pythons
Pythons are usually afraid of people because of their size. They try to avoid humans. But you still need to be careful when handling them. Because they are so strong, it is best to have many people help. Some suggest one person for every meter of snake. Some places require special licenses to own them. It is important to treat these large animals with respect.
Different Types of Pythons
People who breed pythons often try to create different colors, patterns, and even sizes. The "amelanistic" type is very popular. It is white with yellow and orange patterns. There are also "labyrinth" pythons with maze-like patterns. "Green" pythons are khaki-colored, and "granite" pythons have many small spots.
Breeders are also working with smaller pythons from islands. These "dwarf Burmese pythons" have slightly different colors and patterns. They usually do not grow much over 2.1 meters (7 feet) long.
One very special type is the "leucistic" Burmese python. These are very rare. They are completely bright white with blue eyes and no pattern. The "caramel" Burmese python has a caramel-colored pattern and "milk-chocolate" eyes.
See also
- Inclusion body disease, a sickness that affects pythons
Images for kids
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A female Burmese python protecting her eggs.
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Map showing the native home of the Burmese python (in green).
