Dwarf Burmese python: Difference between revisions

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The ''' dwarf Burmese python''' (''Python bivittatus progschai'') is an [[Insular dwarfism|insular dwarf]] subspecies of the [[Burmese python]]. The dwarf Burmese python is native to the Indonesian islands of [[Java]], [[Bali]], [[Sumbawa]], and [[Sulawesi]]. The dwarf subspecies seems to have a maximum length of {{convert|85.29|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="LangVogel">de Lang R, Vogel G (2005). ''The Snakes of Sulawesi: A Field Guide to the Land Snakes of Sulawesi with Identification Keys''. Frankfurt Contributions to Natural History Band 25, Edition Chimaira 2005. {{ISBN|3-930612-85-2}}. pp. 23-27, 198-201.</ref> In 2009, the dwarf Burmese python was officially recognized as a subspecies of the Burmese python.<ref>{{cite journal

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They are often found in forests, and sometimes near bodies of fresh or brackish water. The subspecies seems to prefer hiding among old logs and tree stumps.<ref name="LangVogel"/> However, like their larger mainland cousins, they also seem to enjoy the occasional dip in fresh or brackish water. They do seem to be mostly nocturnal, with increased active between the hours of dusk to dawn.

==Description==

Dwarf Burmese pythons differ in size, appearance and build, compared to their larger mainland cousins. Not only are the dwarf Burmese pythons shorter in length, but they are also slimmer in overallover all build. Also, the dwarfs tend to be lighter in coloration, with better defined markings, when compared with the coloration and markings of a normal mainland Burmese python.

While the largest dwarf Burmese python is recorded at being at {{convert|8.2|ft|abbr=on}}, The average for females of this subspecies seems to be about {{convert|5.5-6|ft|abbr=on}}. The average for adult male dwarf Burmese pythons seems to be about {{convert|4-4.5|ft|abbr=on}}.

==Distribution and habitat==

The subspecies has a [[disjunct distribution]], natively occurring on several Indonesian islands (Java, Nusa Barung, Bali, Sumbawa, possibly Lombok, and southernsouth Sulawesi). It does not inhabit peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra. The dwarf Burmese python can be found in grasslands, forested woodlands, jungles, marshes, swamps, and river valleys; it generally requires the presence of water.<ref name=IUCN/>

==Behavior==

{{unreferenced section|date=July 2017}}

Dwarf Burmese pythons are mainly nocturnal, forest dwellers, much like their larger mainland cousins. When young, they are equally at home on the ground and in trees, but as they gain girth, they tend to restrict most of their movements to the ground. They are also excellent swimmers, being able to stay submerged for up to half an hour. Burmese pythons spend the majority of their time hidden in the underbrush.

Dwarf Burmese pythons breed in mid-spring, with females laying clutches of 8-14 eggs in April or May. The females remain with the eggs until they hatch, wrapping around them and twitching their muscles in such a way as to raise the ambient temperature around the eggs by several degrees. Once the hatchlings use their [[egg tooth]] to cut their way out of their eggs, no further maternal care is given. In captivity, - the eggs can be taken from the female and hatched in about 56–60 days.<ref>Dwarf Burmese Pythons With Eggs by Bob Clark - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgP5_DB0aiU</ref>

==Diet==

{{unreferenced section|date=July 2017}}

Like all snakes, the dwarf Burmese python is [[carnivorous]]. Its diet consists primarily of appropriately sized items - i.e., small birds and mammals.<ref>http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Snakes/Burmese-Python/(ReptileMagazine.com{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} - website)</ref> The snake uses its sharp rearward-pointing teeth to seize its prey, then wraps its body around the prey, at the same time contracting its muscles, killing it by [[constriction]]. The main natural prey for the dwarf Burmese python seems to be mainly rats, mice and, other rodents, and small birds. In captivity, averaged- averaged sized adult dwarf Burmese pythons can be feed a regular diet of medium to extra large rats, once every 7–10 days. Only the larger females (6+ feet) should be feed on rabbits or other larger mammals,. althoughAlthough they can still eat chickens or small poultry.

==In captivityCaptivity==

Dwarf Burmese pythons have been kept in captivity since 2003, when they were first imported from Indonesia.<ref>http://www.tomreaganreptiles.com/Our_Projects.html(Tom{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Reagan Reptiles.com - website)</ref> While they are not nearly as common or popular as their larger mainland cousins,. theyThey still can be sold as pets;. however,However dwarfs tend to have the reputation of having a nasty disposition (hissing and& striking). This is mainly caused by wild- caught adults. Captive born and bred juveniles, tend be more similar to normal mainland Burmese pythons inis their temperament and disposition. CBB dwarfs tend to have a fairly docile, but curious personality. While dwarfs do not grow as largetheir as theirlarger, mainland cousins,. theyThey still reach full sexual maturity in less than 3 years.

While there are no known [[Polymorphism (biology)|color morph]]smorphs linked to the dwarf Burmese pythonpythons, at this time,. hybridsHybrids between the dwarf and nominal subspeciesforms do exist - often called half dwarfs. These hybrids are often slightly larger than the dwarf Burmese pythons. The hybrids also can produce various color morphs, starting in the 2nd generation. In 2005, the very first F1 half dwarf Burmese pythons were first produced in the United States. In 2008, theThe very first F2 half dwarfs were produced from F1 parents.<ref>http://www.reptiletalk.net/half-dwarf-burmese-pythons (ReptileTalk.net- website)</ref>

==Conservation==

The Burmese python species as a whole is classified as [[Vulnerable species|Vulnerablevulnerable]] by the [[IUCN]], mostly due to thehabitat illegaldegradation petthrough tradeslash and captureburn foragriculture consumptionin upland areas. Depleted populations may be put under additional pressure by habitatcapture degradationfor through slashconsumption and burnskinning agricultureas inwell uplandas areasthe pet trade.

In Florida, where Burmese pythons are invasive, it poses a threat to the ecosystem by consuming native wildlife.<ref name=IUCN>{{Cite journal | author = Stuart, B. | author2 = Nguyen, T.Q. | author3 = Thy, N. | author4 = Grismer, L. | author5 = Chan-Ard, T. | author6 = Iskandar, D. | author7 = Golynsky, E. | author8 = Lau, M.W.N. | name-list-style = amp | title = ''Python bivittatus'' | journal = [[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume = 2012 | page = e.T193451A2237271 | publisher = [[IUCN]] | date = 2012 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T193451A2237271.en | doi-access = free }}</ref>

==References==