Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
© 2001
- 2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
Name:
Burmese
Python
Latin
name:
Python molurus biuittatus
Native
to:
Southeast
Asia, Indonesia
Size:
Burmese
pythons can easily reach 17 to 18 feet in length and reach weights of 200
pounds or more. It is possible for these snakes to reach 10 feet in length in
their first 18 months. The largest recorded length was 26 feet.
Life
span:
Burmese
pythons routinely live 25 years or more in captivity
Special
Note:
Due
to the large size and longevity of this species special care needs to be given
to this snake and is not recommended for all hobbyists. Taking care of a snake
this large is a long-term and often expensive commitment. This species has been
known to cause death to people due to ignorance and improper handling. These
snakes, like all snakes, should NOT be handled around your neck.
General
appearance:
Because
of the abundance of specimens in captivity there are now many different color
and pattern morphs available. Some of the more popular morphs that are commonly
found are the albino, green, labyrinth, granite, and tiger.
Housing
requirements:
Enclosure:
Young
Burmese pythons can temporarily live in a 20-gallon or larger aquarium until larger
housing is constructed. Due to the massive size of this snake custom housing is
usually the only option. Enclosures should be at least six to eight feet in
length by two to four feet in width by three to four feet tall though larger
enclosures are always encouraged to give the snake more room. It is not
recommended to use unfinished wood, as it is hard to disinfect.
Temperature:
Daytime
temperatures should be maintained at 85º to 90º F with a basking temperature of
90º to 93º F. Nighttime temperatures should be maintained at 75º to 80º F.
Heat/Light:
At
this time UV light has not been proven to be required for snakes. A 10 to 12
hour photoperiod can be produced using a
standard incandescent bulb. Using incandescent heat bulbs or ceramic emmiters
can produce basking spots. Using under the tank heating pads can raise ambient
temperature of the enclosure if necessary. Hot rocks should never be used under
any circumstance since they can result in burns to animal. It is recommended if
lighting is inside the enclosure in enclose the fixture in wire mesh to protect
the snake from accidental burns.
Substrate:
Indoor/outdoor
carpeting such as Astroturf™ can often provide an excellent substrate that is
easy to clean and disinfect. Linoleum is also another excellent alternative.
Other substrates such as newspaper, and aspen can also be used. Cedar is not to
be used, as it is toxic. If the snake is kept on wood shavings it is
recommended to not feed it on that substrate as accidental ingestion of
shavings can lead to intestinal blockages.
Environment:
Burmese
pythons come from the tropical rain forests and need a fair amount of humidity.
Too much humidity can lead to bacterial infections while too low of humidity may
cause problems when shedding. A water container large enough for the snake to soak
in should be provided, but you may find it necessary to remove it at night in
order to control humidity levels. Hide areas should also be provided. As the
snake grows larger the keeper often has to become more creative. Cutting a hole
on one side large enough for the snake to enter through can modify large
plastic bins or garbage cans to become excellent hide boxes.
Diet:
Hatchling
Burmese pythons can eat a small adult mouse as their first meal. As the snake
becomes larger, larger prey items should be offered. Adults will require adult
rabbits. Young snakes can be
fed
one to two times per week. Adults should be fed less often in order to prevent
obesity. It is
recommended
to use thawed previously killed frozen prey. The freezing process kills most parasites
and eliminates the risk of injury to the snake by the prey. Wild prey is not
recommended as it may contain unknown parasites or toxins that may illness in
the snake.
Maintenance:
The
enclosure should be spot cleaned daily. If using indoor/outdoor carpeting it is
recommended that you have at least a second piece available to swap with the
soiled for ease of cleaning. A 5% bleach solution can be used to disinfect the
enclosure as needed. Be sure to rinse and dry everything thoroughly before
using. Water should be changed daily. It is recommended to wash your hands
thoroughly after handling your animal or cleaning the cage or cage accessories.
Other
references or recommended reading:
Burmese
Pythons, Coburn, John, 1994, TFH Publications, Inc
The
General Care and Maintenance of Burmese Pythons, De Vosjoli, Philippe, 1991,
Advanced
Vivarium
Systems
The
Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians, Obst, Richter and
Jacob, 1998, TFH
Publications,
Inc.