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{{Short description|Species of large, nonvenomous snake}}
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{{Speciesbox
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|status=VU
|status_system=IUCN3.1
|status_ref=<ref name="IUCN">{{cite iucn |
|genus=Python
|species=bivittatus
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The '''Burmese python''' ('''''Python bivittatus''''') is one of the [[List of largest snakes|largest species]] of [[snake]]s. It is native to a large area of [[Southeast Asia]] and is listed as [[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]] on the [[IUCN Red List]].<ref name="IUCN"/> Until 2009, it was considered a subspecies of the [[Indian python]], but is now recognized as a distinct [[species]].<ref>{{Cite journal |author1=Jacobs, H.J. |author2=Auliya, M. |author3=Böhme, W. |year=2009 |title=On the taxonomy of the Burmese Python, ''Python molurus bivittatus'' KUHL, 1820, specifically on the Sulawesi population |journal=Sauria |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=5–11}}</ref> It is an [[Burmese pythons in Florida|invasive species in Florida]] as a result of the [[pet trade]].<ref name="
==Description==
The Burmese python is a dark-colored non-venomous snake with many brown blotches bordered by black down the back.
In the wild, Burmese pythons typically grow to {{cvt|5|m}},<ref name="Smith" /><ref name="Campden"/> while specimens of more than {{cvt|7|m}} are unconfirmed.<ref name="Barker2012">{{cite journal |author1=Barker, D.G. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Barten, S.L. |author3=Ehrsam, J.P. |author4=Daddono, L. |title=The corrected lengths of two well-known giant pythons and the establishment of a new maximum length record for Burmese Pythons, ''Python bivittatus'' |journal=Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society|volume=47|issue=1|pages=1–6|date=2012|url=http://www.vpi.com/sites/default/files/Barker-et-al_CorrectPythonLengths_2.pdf|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> This species is [[sexually dimorphic]] in size; females average only slightly longer, but are considerably heavier and bulkier than the males. For example, length-weight comparisons in captive Burmese pythons for individual females have shown: at {{cvt|3.47|m|ftin}} length, a specimen weighed {{cvt|29|kg|lb}}, a specimen of just over {{cvt|4|m}} weighed {{cvt|36|kg|lb}}, a specimen of {{cvt|4.5|m}} weighed {{cvt|40|kg|lb}}, and a specimen of {{cvt|5|m}} weighed {{cvt|75|kg|lb}}. In comparison, length-weight comparisons for males found: a specimen of {{cvt|2.8|m}} weighed {{cvt|12|kg|lb}}, {{cvt|2.97|m}} weighed {{cvt|14.5|kg|lb}}, a specimen of {{cvt|3|m}} weighed {{cvt|7|kg|lb}}, and a specimen of {{cvt|3.05|m}} weighed {{cvt|18.5|kg|lb}}.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Van Mierop, L.H. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Barnard, S.M. |year=1976 |title=Observations on the reproduction of ''Python molurus bivittatus'' (Reptilia, Serpentes, Boidae) |journal=Journal of Herpetology |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=333–340 |doi=10.2307/1563071 |jstor=1563071}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Barker, D.G. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Murphy J.B. |author3=Smith, K.W. |year=1979 |title=Social behavior in a captive group of Indian pythons, ''Python molurus'' (Serpentes, Boidae) with formation of a linear social hierarchy |journal=Copeia |volume=1979 |issue=3 |pages=466–471 |doi=10.2307/1443224 |jstor=1443224}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Marcellini, D.L. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Peters, A. |year=1982 |title=Preliminary observations on endogeneous heat production after feeding in ''Python molurus'' |journal=Journal of Herpetology |volume=16 |issue=1|pages=92–95 |doi=10.2307/1563914|jstor=1563914}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Jacobson, E.R. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Homer, B. |author3=Adams, W. |year=1991 |title=Endocarditis and congestive heart failure in a Burmese python (''Python molurus bivittatus'') |journal=Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine |volume=22 |pages=245–248}}</ref><ref
===Diseases===
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[[Image:NAS Static US SF FLGVWDMZ014485631722126.png|thumb|United States range in 2007]]
[[Image:Burmese_python_%286887388927%29.jpg|thumb|A captured Burmese python in the Florida Everglades]]
Python invasion has been particularly extensive, notably across [[South Florida]], where a large number of pythons can now be found in the Florida [[Everglades]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 10 Invasive Species |date=2010 |magazine=Time |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1958657_1958656_1958659,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206203125/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1958657_1958656_1958659,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 6, 2010 |access-date=27 April 2010}}</ref>{{r|invspinfo}} Between 1996 and 2006, the Burmese python gained popularity in the pet trade, with more than 90,000 snakes imported into the U.S.<ref name="
By 2007, the Burmese python was found in northern Florida and in the coastal areas of the [[Florida Panhandle]]. The importation of Burmese pythons was banned in the United States in January 2012 by the [[U.S. Department of the Interior]].<ref name="U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2012">{{cite press release |title=Salazar Announces Ban on Importation and Interstate Transportation of Four Giant Snakes that Threaten Everglades |url=https://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Announces-Ban-on-Importation-and-Interstate-Transportation-of-Four-Giant-Snakes-that-Threaten-Everglades |website=doi.gov |access-date=April 26, 2022 |date=2012}}</ref> A 2012 report stated, "in areas where the snakes are well established, foxes, and rabbits have disappeared. Sightings of [[raccoon]]s are down by 99.3%, [[opossum]]s by 98.9%, and [[white-tailed deer]] by 94.1%."<ref name="Adams">{{cite news |author=Adams, G. |date=2012 |title=Pythons are squeezing the life out of the Everglades, scientists warn |___location=London |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pythons-are-squeezing-the-life-out-of-the-everglades-scientists-warn-6297653.html
By 2011, researchers identified up to 25 species of birds from nine avian orders in the digestive tract remains of 85 Burmese pythons
Numerous efforts have been made to eliminate the Burmese python population in the last decade.{{when|reason=the phrase "in the last decade" is meaningless without reference to a specific date or range of dates|date=February 2020}} Understanding the preferred habitat of the species is needed to narrow down the python hunt. Burmese pythons have been found to select broad-leafed and low-flooded habitats. Broad-leafed habitats comprise cypress, overstory, and coniferous forest. Though aquatic marsh environments would be a great source for prey, the pythons seem to prioritize environments allowing for morphological and behavioral camouflage to be protected from predators.{{clarify|date=October 2020}} Also, the Burmese pythons in Florida have been found to prefer elevated habitats, since this provides the optimal conditions for nesting. In addition to elevated habitats, edge habitats are common places where Burmese pythons are found for thermoregulation, nesting, and hunting purposes.<ref name="
▲By 2011, researchers identified up to 25 species of birds from nine avian orders in the digestive tract remains of 85 Burmese pythons found in Everglades National Park.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |vauthors=Dove CJ, Snow RW, Rochford MR, Mazzotti FJ |date=2011 |title=Birds Consumed by the Invasive Burmese Python (''Python molurus bivittatus'') in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA |journal=The Wilson Journal of Ornithology |volume=123 |issue=1 |pages=126–131 |doi=10.1676/10-092.1|jstor=23033493|s2cid=55495469}}</ref> Native bird populations are suffering a negative impact from the introduction of the Burmese python in Florida; among these bird species, the [[wood stork]] is of specific concern, now listed as federally endangered.<ref name=":0" />
One of the Burmese python eradication movements with the biggest influence was the 2013 [[Florida
▲Numerous efforts have been made to eliminate the Burmese python population in the last decade.{{when|reason=the phrase "in the last decade" is meaningless without reference to a specific date or range of dates|date=February 2020}} Understanding the preferred habitat of the species is needed to narrow down the python hunt. Burmese pythons have been found to select broad-leafed and low-flooded habitats. Broad-leafed habitats comprise cypress, overstory, and coniferous forest. Though aquatic marsh environments would be a great source for prey, the pythons seem to prioritize environments allowing for morphological and behavioral camouflage to be protected from predators.{{clarify|date=October 2020}} Also, the Burmese pythons in Florida have been found to prefer elevated habitats, since this provides the optimal conditions for nesting. In addition to elevated habitats, edge habitats are common places where Burmese pythons are found for thermoregulation, nesting, and hunting purposes.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |vauthors=Walters TM, Mazzotti FJ, Fitz HC |date=2016 |title=Habitat selection by the invasive species Burmese python in Southern Florida |journal=Journal of Herpetology |volume=50 |issue=1 |pages=50–56|doi=10.1670/14-098 |s2cid=86327588}}</ref>
A study from 2017 introduced a new method for identifying the presence of Burmese pythons in southern Florida; this method involves the screening of mosquito blood. Since the introduction of the Burmese python in Florida, mosquito communities use the pythons as hosts even though they are recently introduced.<ref>{{cite journal |
▲One of the Burmese python eradication movements with the biggest influence was the 2013 [[Florida Python Challenge|Python Challenge]] in Florida. This was a month-long contest wherein a total of 68 pythons were removed. The contest offered incentives such as prizes for longest and greatest number of captured pythons. The purpose of the challenge was to raise awareness about the invasive species, increase participation from the public and agency cooperation, and to remove as many pythons as possible from the Florida Everglades.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Mazzotti FJ, Rochford M, Vinci J, Jeffery BM, Eckles JK, Dove C, Sommers KP |date=2016 |title=Implications of the 2013 Python Challenge® for Ecology and Management of ''Python molorus bivittatus'' (Burmese python) in Florida |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |volume=15 |issue=sp8 |pages=63–74|jstor=26454670|doi=10.1656/058.015.sp807|s2cid=90352897}}</ref> The challenge has run a few times again since then and is now an annual event over the duration of ten days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Florida Python Challenge - Python Challenge |url=https://flpythonchallenge.org/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Florida Python Challenge |language=en}}</ref> Recently, in 2023, it resulted in 209 pythons removed by 1,050 participants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ICYMI: Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez Announces Winners of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge® |url=https://myfwc.com/news/all-news/python-challenge/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission}}</ref>
Invasive Burmese pythons also face certain physiological changes. Unlike their native South Asian counterparts who spend long periods fasting due to seasonal variation in prey availability, pythons in Florida feed year-round due to the constant availability of food. They are also vulnerable to cold stress, with winter freezes resulting in mortality rates of up to 90%. Genomic data suggests natural selection on these populations favors increased thermal tolerance as a result of these high-mortality freezes.<ref>{{cite journal |
▲A study from 2017 introduced a new method for identifying the presence of Burmese pythons in southern Florida; this method involves the screening of mosquito blood. Since the introduction of the Burmese python in Florida, mosquito communities use the pythons as hosts even though they are recently introduced.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Reeves LE, Krysko KL, Avery ML, Gillett-Kaufman JL, Kawahara AY, Connelly CR, Kaufman PE |title=Interactions between the invasive Burmese python, ''Python bivittatus'' Kuhl, and the local mosquito community in Florida, USA |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=e0190633 |date=2018-01-17 |pmid=29342169 |pmc=5771569 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0190633 |bibcode=2018PLoSO..1390633R |veditors=Paul R |doi-access=free}}</ref>
▲Invasive Burmese pythons also face certain physiological changes. Unlike their native South Asian counterparts who spend long periods fasting due to seasonal variation in prey availability, pythons in Florida feed year-round due to the constant availability of food. They are also vulnerable to cold stress, with winter freezes resulting in mortality rates of up to 90%. Genomic data suggests natural selection on these populations favors increased thermal tolerance as a result of these high-mortality freezes.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Card DC, Perry BW, Adams RH, Schield DR, Young AS, Andrew AL, Jezkova T, Pasquesi GI, Hales NR, Walsh MR, Rochford MR, Mazzotti FJ, Hart KM, Hunter ME, Castoe TA |title=Novel ecological and climatic conditions drive rapid adaptation in invasive Florida Burmese pythons |journal=Molecular Ecology |volume=27 |issue=23 |pages=4744–4757 |date=2018 |pmid=30269397 |doi=10.1111/mec.14885 |doi-access=|bibcode=2018MolEc..27.4744C}}</ref>
They have carried ''Raillietiella orientalis'', a [[pentastome]] parasitic disease, with them from Southeast Asia. Other reptiles in Florida have become infested, and the parasite appears to have become endemic.<ref name="Waymer-2019" />
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In April 2019, researchers captured and killed a large Burmese python in Florida's [[Big Cypress National Preserve]]. It was more than {{cvt|17|ft|m|order=flip}} long, weighed {{cvt|140|lb|order=flip}}, and contained 73 developing eggs.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Mettler, K. |date=2019 |title=A 17-foot, 140-pound python was captured in a Florida park. Officials say it's a record |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/04/07/foot-lb-python-was-captured-fla-state-park-officials-say-its-record/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref>
In December 2021, a Burmese python was captured in Florida that weighed {{cvt|215|lbs|kg|order=flip}} and had a length of {{cvt|18|ft|m|order=flip}}; it contained a record 122 developing eggs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=A. B. |title=Caught! Record-breaking 18-foot Burmese python pulled from Collier County wilderness |url=https://www.news-press.com/story/tech/science/environment/2022/06/22/record-breaking-18-foot-burmese-python-caught-florida-everglades/7694354001/ |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=The News-Press}}</ref>
In July 2023, local hunters captured and killed a {{cvt|19|ft|m|order=flip}} long Burmese python that weighed {{cvt|125|lbs|kg|order=flip}} in Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve.<ref name=
==Behavior==
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They tend to be solitary and are usually found in pairs only when mating. Burmese pythons breed in the early spring, with females laying clutches of 12–36 eggs in March or April. They 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. The newly hatched babies often remain inside their eggs until they are ready to complete their first shedding of skin, after which they hunt for their first meal.<ref>{{cite web|vauthors=Ghosh A|title=Burmese Python|date=11 July 2012 |url=http://www.animalspot.net/burmese-python.html|publisher=AnimalSpot.net|access-date=27 December 2012}}</ref>
===Parthenogenesis===
The Burmese python is able to [[asexual reproduction|reproduce asexually]] when in captivity.<ref name = Groot2003>Groot TV, Bruins E, Breeuwer JA. Molecular genetic evidence for parthenogenesis in the Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus. Heredity (Edinb). 2003 Feb;90(2):130-5. doi: 10.1038/sj.hdy.6800210. PMID 12634818</ref> Offspring are clones of their mother and reproduction appears to be by a [[parthenogenesis|parthenogenetic mechanism]] that involves a modification of the [[meiosis|meiotic process]].<ref name = Groot2003/>
==Diet==
[[File:Burmese Python photographed at Bardiya National Park1.jpg|thumb|Burmese python photographed in Bardiya National Park, Nepal]]
Like all snakes, the Burmese python is [[Carnivore|carnivorous]]. Its diet consists primarily of birds and mammals, but also includes amphibians and reptiles. It is a sit-and-wait predator, meaning it spends most of its time staying relatively still, waiting for prey to approach, then striking rapidly.<ref name="
===Digestion===
The digestive response of Burmese pythons to such large prey has made them a model species for digestive physiology. Its sit-and-wait hunting style is characterized by long fasting periods in between meals, with Burmese pythons typically feeding every month or two, but sometimes fasting for as long as 18 months.<ref name="
The energy cost is highest in the first few days after eating when these regenerative processes are most active, meaning Burmese pythons rely on existing food energy storage to digest a new meal.<ref name="
==Conservation==
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Although the species has a reputation for docility, they are very powerful animals – capable of inflicting severe bites and even killing by constriction.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Python Kills Careless Student Zookeeper in Caracas|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2622427/Python-kills-careless-student-zookeeper-in-Caracas.html|date=2008-08-26|work=The Telegraph|agency=AP|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2622427/Python-kills-careless-student-zookeeper-in-Caracas.html |archive-date=2022-01-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2019-02-18|___location=London|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| vauthors=Chiszar D, Smith HM, Petkus A, Doughery J |date=1993|title=A Fatal Attack on a Teenage Boy by a Captive Burmese Python (''Python molurus bivittatus'') in Colorado|journal=The Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society|publisher=Chicago Herpetological Society|volume=28|issue=#12|page=261 |url=http://www.chicagoherp.org/bulletin/28(12).pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218202006/http://chicagoherp.org/bulletin/28(12).pdf |archive-date=2019-02-18|issn=0009-3564}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.anapsid.org/coloburm.html |title=The Keeping of Large Pythons: Realities and Responsibilities|vauthors=Kaplan M|date=1994 |website=www.anapsid.org|series=Herp Care Collection|access-date=2019-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/python-caused-death-in-ontario-home-in-1992-case-1.1328205 |title=Python Caused Death in Ontario Home in 1992 Case|date=2013-04-13|work=CBC News|access-date=2019-02-17|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Commission|agency=Canadian Press|department=Toronto News|___location=Toronto|issn=0708-9392}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/python-linked-deaths-raise-questions-over-exotic-animal-laws-1.1349119|title=Python-linked Deaths Raise Questions over Exotic Animal Laws|vauthors=Davison J|date=2013-08-07|work=CBC News|access-date=2019-02-17 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |department=News|___location=Toronto|issn=0708-9392}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/748680/pages/nevilles-p1-normal.gif |title=Dr. D. H. Evans, Coroner of Ontario, "Inquest into the Death of Mark Nevilles: Verdict of Coroner's Jury" (Brampton, Ontario: June 1992)|website=documentcloud.org|access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref> They also consume large amounts of food, and due to their size, require large, often custom-built, secure enclosures. As a result, some are released into the wild, and become invasive species that devastate the environment. For this reason, some jurisdictions (including Florida, due to the python invasion in the Everglades<ref>{{cite news |vauthors=Burrage G |title=New law makes Burmese python illegal in Florida |url=http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/state/new-law-makes-burmese-python-illegal-in-florida |date=30 June 2010 |website=Abcactionnews.com |access-date=9 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501023817/http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/state/new-law-makes-burmese-python-illegal-in-florida |archive-date=2013-05-01}}</ref>) have placed restrictions on the keeping of Burmese pythons as pets. Violators could be imprisoned for more than seven years or fined $500,000 if convicted.
Burmese pythons are opportunistic feeders;<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Orzechowski SC, Romagosa CM, Frederick PC |date=2019-07-01|title=Invasive Burmese pythons (''Python bivittatus'') are novel nest predators in wading bird colonies of the Florida Everglades|journal=Biological Invasions|volume=21|issue=7|pages=2333–2344|doi=10.1007/s10530-019-01979-x|s2cid=102350541|doi-access=free|bibcode=2019BiInv..21.2333O }}</ref> they eat almost any time food is offered, and often act hungry even when they have recently eaten. As a result, they are often overfed, causing [[obesity]]-related problems to be common in captive Burmese pythons.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
Like the much smaller [[ball python]], Burmese pythons are known to be easygoing or timid creatures, which means that if cared for properly, they can easily adjust to living near humans.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gbif.org/species/144100053|title=''Python bivittatus'' (Kuhl, 1820)|website=www.gbif.org |access-date=8 April 2019|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073544/https://www.gbif.org/species/144100053}}</ref>
===Handling===
Although pythons are typically afraid of people due to their great stature, and generally avoid them, special care is still required when handling them. Given their adult strength, multiple handlers (up to one person per meter of snake) are usually recommended.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anapsid.org/handling.html|title=Playing with the Big Boys: Handling Large Constrictors|website=www.anapsid.org|access-date=8 September 2017}}</ref> Some jurisdictions require owners to hold special licenses, and as with any wild animal being kept in captivity, treating them with the respect an animal of this size commands is important.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aldf.org/focus_area/captive-animals/|title=Captive Animals - Most states have no laws governing captive wild animals.|website=[[Animal Legal Defense Fund]]|access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref>
===Variations===
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== See also ==
* [[Inclusion body disease]], a viral disease affecting pythons
* [[Burmese pythons in Florida]]
* [[Florida Python Challenge]]
== References ==
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[[Category:Reptiles as pets]]
[[Category:Apex predators]]
[[Category:Everglades]]
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