![]() ![]() It is also important to keep a temperature gradient within the enclosure so the snakes have the option of choosing the optimal temperature themselves. The temperature in their habitat must remain in the mid-80s F, and they should be provided with a light source and heat pad. Their natural habitats have very high humidity, and their enclosures much match this environment for the animal to stay healthy. In a zoological setting, these large reptiles must be provided with adequate housing space. They can grow quite large, and while they are not extremely dangerous to humans, housing such a lengthy snake can prove to be difficult. Only a seasoned expert with all the correct permits and licenses can or should legally own this species. Does the Burmese Python Make a Good Petįor the most part, these snakes do not make good pets. Though captive breeding populations and selective breeding has occurred in the pet trade, this species has not been undergoing change for long enough to be considered domesticated. These reptiles are also captured and killed for their meat and skin, which is used in the leather market. In many places in the United States it is illegal to own this species of snake as a pet. Habitat destruction reduces population numbers, but illegal capture for the pet trade is even more detrimental. In their wild range, these creatures are actually considered Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. Larger individuals will feed on pigs, goats, deer, and even alligators. Smaller snakes will eat rats, mice, rabbits, birds, and other appropriately sized prey. Prey species depends greatly on their size. It is not uncommon to find snakes near human habitation simply because of an increased vermin (and thus prey) population. They are carnivores, which means that they feed on meat and virtually no plant matter. These reptiles will eat just about any animals they can sink their teeth into. Populations have also been found in north Florida and the Florida panhandle. In their invasive range in Florida, they are found most frequently in south Florida, particularly in the Florida Everglades. They are native to eastern India, Sumbawa, Nepal, Bali, Bhutan, Sulawesi, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In their natural range, these reptiles are found in south and southeast Asia. These types of habitats are found in both their native range in Asia, and their invasive range in Florida. They can commonly be found in swamps, wetlands, grasslands, marshes, woodlands, juggles, rocky foothills, and river valleys. This preference for watery habitats makes them perfectly suited for a Florida environment. Their favorite habitats are in close proximity to permanent water sources. Females will actually rapidly twitch their muscles to increase temperature, similar to how we shiver.īurmese pythons are not aquatic snakes, but they are very good swimmers. While most reptiles will bury their eggs, letting the sun and vegetation do their incubation for them, pythons use their muscles. Motherly Love – Unlike many other reptiles, these snakes incubate their eggs using their bodies.After they have grabbed ahold of their meal, they coil around it and squeeze! This is called using constriction to kill prey. Instead they utilize multiple teeth, allowing them to grip their prey well. No Venom Here – These snakes are not venomous species.Unfortunately, these snakes survived and thrived in Florida’s habitats and are breeding and spreading. These snakes are purchased while they are small, and when the owner realizes they cannot care for their quickly growing companion they release them into the wild. Pet Peeve – Another source of invasive snakes are household pets.The escapees are the ancestors of the estimated 100,000 pythons currently invading the Everglades. The original establishment of invasive populations can be traced back to hurricane Andrew in 1992, when a python breeding facility was destroyed. Natural Disaster – The invasion of these snakes in Florida began as a result of the pet trade.Read on to learn more about these immense creatures. These massive snakes are skilled predators, and this leads to problems for native species in their invasive range. Interesting Facts About the Burmese Python 10 in., but there have been reports of longer snakes. The longest verified length recorded was a captive snake, which grew to 18 ft. ![]() long, and individual animals longer than 13 ft. In the wild they are usually no longer than 12 ft. The patterns are similar to those found on giraffes. Burmese pythons have dark colored scales with brown blotches and lighter borders across their entire bodies. ![]()
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