Burmese Python Snakes

Burmese python snakes that are one of the world’s six largest snakes and are the biggest subspecies of Indian pythons are known for their size. Typically native to the Southeast Asian regions of the rain forests, they are mostly found either near water or around the semi aquatic regions. However sometimes they might also be seen on trees.

These snakes can grow up to twenty five feet in length and can weigh about four hundred kgs or even more. The reason why these snakes are so long is because of the fact that they continue to grow in length throughout their life span which may sometimes exceed twenty years. They have a large number or vertebrae, that helps them grow all the more. In case of Burmese python sakes, the female species have been found to grow larger than the males.

The Burmese python snakes grow quite rapidly, during the early stage of their lives. For instance if well fed during its first year, a Burmese python can be expected to grow over seven feet in length by the age of one, reaching their adult size by the age or four.

These snakes generally look quite similar to the African rock pythons (except the variations that may be found in the body color and pattern of some snakes) since they have light colored bodies, with black bordered brown patches all over. Needless to say theses creatures look quite attractive that makes them quite popular with the leather industry as well as with the reptile keepers. This is also because of its docile nature.

However, it is important not to forget that these creatures, in spite of being easy-going, are powerful and dangerous, and if not treated well, they can inflict bites on their keepers, or might even pose threat to their lives. As pets, they might often show the tendency to try breaking out of the cages. These animals are therefore not only tough to deal with but also very expensive to maintain owing to the fact that they consume a lot of food, and need to be kept in very well built enclosures.

Just like all other pythons, Burmese python snakes are carnivores that generally feed on mammals and birds of appropriate size. When bred in captive, they are mostly fed on rats and similar animals. As they continue to grow in size they may be fed on rabbits and larger animals. Fully grown pythons may be seen feeding on goats or pigs of appropriate size.

These snakes are very good swimmers, though they are known to spend most of their time on ground, staying somewhere underbrush. Their breeding season is the early spring, when the females can lay about twelve to thirty six eggs. The maternal care lasts only till the eggs hatch, after which they can move about independently once they have completed their first skin shedding.

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