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{{Short description|Species of large, nonvenomous snake}}
{{excessive citations|date=August 2025}}
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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="Walters-2016" /> The current number of Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades may have reached a [[minimum viable population]] and become an [[invasive species]]. [[Hurricane Andrew]] in 1992 was deemed responsible for the destruction of a python-breeding facility and zoo, and these escaped snakes spread and populated areas into the Everglades.<ref>{{cite web |title=Democrats Hold Hearing on Administration's Plan to Constrict Snakes in the Everglades - House Committee on Natural Resources |date=2010 |url=http://naturalresources.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=177795 |publisher=Naturalresources.house.gov |access-date=9 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916202100/http://naturalresources.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=177795 |archive-date=16 September 2012 |url-status=dead
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="Walters-2016">{{cite journal |
▲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="Dove-2011">{{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="Dove-2011" />
One of the Burmese python eradication movements with the biggest influence was the 2013 [[Florida Python Challenge]]. 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 |
▲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="Walters-2016">{{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]]. 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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==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="Diamond, J.-1995">{{cite journal |author1=Secor, S.M.|author2=Diamond, J. |title=Adaptive responses to feeding in Burmese pythons: pay before pumping |journal=The Journal of Experimental Biology |volume=198 |issue=Pt 6 |pages=1313–1325 |date=1995 |doi=10.1242/jeb.198.6.1313 |pmid=7782719 |doi-access=free|bibcode=1995JExpB.198.1313S }}</ref> The snake grabs a prey animal with its sharp teeth, then wraps its body around the animal to kill it through [[constriction]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016 |author1=Szalay, J. |title=Python Facts |website=Live Science |url=https://www.livescience.com/53785-python-facts.html|access-date=2021-03-17}}</ref> The python then swallows its prey whole. It is often found near human habitation due to the presence of rats, mice, and other [[vermin]] as a food source. However, its equal affinity for domesticated birds and mammals means it is often treated as a pest. In captivity, its diet consists primarily of commercially available appropriately sized rats, graduating to larger prey such as rabbits and [[poultry]] as it grows. As an invasive species in Florida, Burmese pythons primarily eat a variety of small mammals including foxes, rabbits, and raccoons. Due to their high predation levels, they have been implicated in the decline and even disappearance of many mammal species.<ref name="Sarill, M.-2016"/><ref name="McCleery-2015"/> In their invasive range, pythons also eat birds and occasionally other reptiles. Exceptionally large pythons may even require larger food items such as pigs or goats, and are known to have attacked and eaten [[alligator]]s and adult [[deer]] in Florida.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/photo-in-the-news-python-bursts-after-eating-gator-update/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021124327/https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/photo-in-the-news-python-bursts-after-eating-gator-update/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2018|title=Photo in the News: Python Bursts After Eating Gator (Update) |date=2006|website=National Geographic News|access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref>
===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="Diamond, J.-1995"/> As digestive tissues are energetically costly to maintain, they are downregulated during fasting periods to conserve energy when they are not in use.<ref name="Beese, K.-2001">{{cite journal |author1=Starck, J.M. |author2=Beese, K. |title=Structural flexibility of the intestine of Burmese python in response to feeding |journal=The Journal of Experimental Biology |volume=204 |issue=2 |pages=325–335 |date=2001 |doi=10.1242/jeb.204.2.325 |pmid=11136618 |bibcode=2001JExpB.204..325S |url=https://jeb.biologists.org/content/204/2/325|url-access=subscription }}</ref> A fasting python has a reduced stomach volume and acidity, reduced intestinal mass, and a 'normal' heart volume. After ingesting prey, the entire digestive system undergoes a massive re-modelling, with rapid hypertrophy of the intestines, production of stomach acid, and a 40% increase in mass of the ventricle of the heart to fuel the digestive process.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Secor |first1=S.M. |journal=Journal of Experimental Biology |date=2008 |doi=10.1242/jeb.023754 |title=Digestive physiology of the Burmese python: broad regulation of integrated performance |volume=211 |issue=24 |pages=3767–3774 |pmid=19043049 |s2cid=5545174 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2008JExpB.211.3767S }}</ref> During digestion, the snake's oxygen consumption rises drastically as well, increasing with meal size by 17 to 40 times its resting rate.<ref name="Diamond, J.-1995"/> This dramatic increase is a result of the energetic cost of restarting many aspects of the digestive system, from rebuilding the stomach and small intestine to producing [[hydrochloric acid]] to be secreted in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid production is a significant component of the energetic cost of digestion, as digesting whole prey items requires the animal to be broken down without the use of teeth, either for chewing or tearing into smaller pieces. To compensate, once food has been ingested, Burmese pythons begin producing large amounts of acid to make the stomach acidic enough to turn the food into a semi-liquid that can be passed through to the small intestine and undergo the rest of the digestive process.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
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="Diamond, J.-1995" /><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Secor, S.M. |title=Gastric function and its contribution to the postprandial metabolic response of the Burmese python Python molurus |journal=The Journal of Experimental Biology |volume=206 |issue=10 |pages=1621–1630 |date=2003 |pmid=12682094 |doi=10.1242/jeb.00300 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2003JExpB.206.1621S }}</ref> Overall, the entire digestive process from food intake to defecation lasts 8–14 days.<ref name="Beese, K.-2001"/>
==Conservation==
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===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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