Dwarf Burmese python: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:39, 19 July 2017

Revision as of 19:48, 19 July 2017

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They are often found in forests, and sometimes near bodies of fresh or brackish water. The sub-species seems to prefer hiding among old logs, and tree stumps.<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. {{cnISBN|date=July 20173-930612-85-2}}. pp. 23-27, 198-201.</ref> butHoewver, like their larger mainland cousins, they also seem to enjoy the occasional dip in fresh or brackish water. They do seem to mostly nocturnal, with increased active between the hours of dusk to dawn.

==Description==

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==Behavior==

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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 the 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>

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==Diet==

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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 - 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 by [[constriction]]. It isThe main natural prey for the Dwarf Burmese Python seems to be mainly rats, mice, and other rodents, and small birds. BecauseIn itscaptivity smaller- sizeaveraged sized adult Dwarf Burmese can be feed a regular diet of medium to extra large rats, inonce captivityevery 7-10 days. Only the Dwarflarger Burmesefemales rarely(6+ feet) should be feed on rabbits or other larger mammals. Although they can still eat chickens or small poultry.

==Captivity==

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 Reagan Reptiles.com - website)</ref> While they not nearly as common or popular as their larger mainland cousins. They still can be sold as pets. However Dwarfs tend to have the reputation of having a nasty disposition (hissing & striking). This is mainly caused by wild caught adults. Captive born and bred juveniles, tend be more similar to normal mainland Burmese is their temperament and disposition. CBB Dwarfs tend to have a fairly docile, but curious personality. While dwarfs do not grow as their larger, mainland cousins. They still reach full sexual maturity in less than 3 years.

While there are no known morphs linked to the Dwarf Burmese Pythons, at this time. Hybrids between the Dwarf and Nominal forms do exist - often called Half Dwarfs. These hybrids are often slightly larger than the Dwarf Burmese Pythons. The hybrids also can produce various 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, The very first F2 Half Dwarfs were produced from F1 parents. <ref>http://www.reptiletalk.net/half-dwarf-burmese-pythons (ReptileTalk.net- website) </ref>

==Conservation==