Burmese Python Care Sheet

Python bivittatus

The Burmese python is one of the five largest species of snakes in the world. It is native to Southeast Asia but is an invasive species elsewhere. They are often found near wet and marshy type areas and can sometimes be semiaquatic. They can also be found in trees. These snakes can reach a length of 19ft but the average is between 12ft and 14ft long. There are many morphs and colour variety in Burmese pythons. Depending on the sex of the python will depend on their size. Females are usually longer and a lot heavier than males.

Origin and History

TheBurmese python is one of thelargest speciesofsnakes. It is native to a large area ofSoutheast Asiaand is listed asVulnerableon theIUCN Red List.Until 2009, it was considered a subspecies ofPython molurus, but is now recognized as belonging to a distinct species.It is an invasive species in Florida as a result of the pet trade.

Dietary Requirements

Burmese Pythons are carnivores and their main diet consists of meat and birds. Small juvenile Burmese pythons will need to fed of frozen thawed out mice or rats, as the grow you can increase the size of these so that they are eventually eating XL rats, Rabbits or even some times of birds such as whole chicken and whole pheasants. Rats are the best thing to feed them and keep them fed on. Juvenile Burmese pythons should be fed once every 7 to 10 days whilst adults should be fed large meals e.i XL rats or medium to large rabbits once every 4 to 6 weeks. You must ensure your Burmese python has access to fresh clean water daily. You can provide this in a bowl. Whilst they are young ensure the bowls are shallow enough so if the snake gets in the bowl it can get back out again. You can increase the bowl size as your Burmese grows. They are semiaquatic so if you can provide a big enough bowl for them to submerge themselves in this will help when they shed their skin, the moisture can help the shed come off cleanly and in one whole piece.

Main Dietary Items

• Rat pups
• Small mice
• Medium mice
• Large mice
• Small rats
• Medium rats
• Large rats
• Extra-large rats
• Medium/large rabbits
• Whole chickens and whole pheasants

Housing

Burmese pythons will do best in wooden vivariums, this is because they will hold the temperature the best. With Burmese pythons being able to reach a large length they will need a large enclosure to keep them happy. As a juvenile a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft will be a good starter but they have a fairly quick growth rate and will soon need something bigger. The ideal size for an adult female would be 8ft long x 4ft wide x 2ft high. This is to ensure your snake has enough room to move about and explore and also enough room to curl up. Males don’t always need to be in the same size but it is ideal to give your Burmese python as much room as you can. The best kind of substrate for your Burmese python orchid bark chips, coco fibre, or even newspaper. These are all easy to maintain and keep clean. Burmese pythons need suitable décor within their environment. Things for them to hide in or hide under make great comfort and security for them. Natural wooden items or plants also help to create a more natural environment for them and encourage them to display more natural behaviours. They will love to explore new things, so changing their enrichment every now and again ensures they are not getting bored whilst inside their home.

A Burmese python is a cold blooded animal, meaning it needs some kind of heat source to ensure its body temperature is kept correct. Originating from hot countries it is good to replicate this within the enclosure. Here is a list of equipment you will need for your Burmese python:

• 100w-150w ceramic bulb heater in combination with a habistat/dimmer stat. this must be covered with a mesh guard to protect the snake from burning itself.
• Ceramic heat bulb holder.
• A fluorescent 5%-10% UVB bulb can be used but isn’t essential. If you opt to have this you will need the light unit to ensure the light is working.
• Thermometer to ensure you enclosure is the correct temperature at all times.

Burmese pythons like it to be warm within their enclosure. Having a hot end and a cooler end. The hot end temperature should be around 28C- 32C and the cooler end should be around 25c-28c. the temperature can drop during the night time but you do not want it going lower than 20c. If you are using a fluorescent tube.

A 5-degree variance on the basking spot is nothing to worry about as long as your cool side is still cool. A simple dial thermometer on each side should be sufficient but digital probe thermometers are much more accurate. It is beneficial for these animals to have UVB light this is to help them absorb calcium. The snake would naturally be exposed to UV from sunlight in the wild so try to emulate nature in your enclosure, we recommend the Arcadia shade-dweller T5 unit which is sold in our stores. The UV tube should be mounted to the ceiling at the back of the enclosure to provide a light gradient running parallel to the temperature gradient. There will be times when the snake will want less or no UVB so partial and full hiding spots should be placed all along the width of the enclosure.

Maintenance

You can spot clean the areas or full clean when needed to. Ensure you are using a safe disinfectant when cleaning your snake to ensure no build-up of bacteria and infections.

If you are keeping the snake in a bio-active enclosure you can spot clean and monitor the enclosure.

Enrichment

Providing environmental enrichment for your corn snake is a great way to encourage exercise and maintain your pet's health and happiness. Some excellent options for your snake's decor include a heavy water dish – While corn snakes need a water source, place a large, heavy, ceramic-style dish in the enclosure. So they can also bathe in it.

Common Health Problems

Mites can be quite common in snakes. Ophinoyssus Natrcis are tiny arthropods that feed of the blood of your snake. The life cycle of the mite consists in 5 stages. Egg, Larva, Protonymph, Deutonymph and Adult. The lifescycle is complete within 13 to 19 days at temperatures between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Female mites can lay up to a couple dozen eggs at one time and will lay up to 80 eggs in their life time. Mites generally occur in certain types of snake bedding and can also be transferred through clothes, second hand equipment and décor. Symptoms that your snake may have an infestation of mites would be soaking constantly in water. If you notice this, check the water for tiny floating black specks. This is a big indication there are mites. You may also see the black specks crawling around the vivarium and on the body of the snake. Your snake will also have a reduced appetite. If you have discovered your snake does have mites ensure they are not going to pass them on to any of your other snakes if you own any. You can treat your snake with a few different mite treatments. Fiprinol and front line spray are your most common and most effective mite treatment. You can get these treatments from a vet. You can also use shop brought products such as callingtons mite spray. All these products will help to eliminate the mites.

Reptiles have to regularly shed their skin and snakes shed in one complete piece. There is no rule as to how often this will happen but it will be more frequent when the snake is young and growing. The snake may hide away for a period of time and use the humid hide if you have provided one. Then it will rub its body against objects in the vivarium to remove the old skin, which should come away easily. If you notice that your snake still has shed over its eyes even after a shed, (these are called ‘eye caps’ and will need removing as soon as possible). A reptile specialist vet can show you how to do this safely. If the snake has not shed completely, try bathing it in slightly warm water but do not try to pull it off as you can damage the new skin underneath. If your snake often has issues with shedding, this is often husbandry related and can be improved with simple adjustments to the vivarium.

Temperament

The temperament of a snake is an important factor that every snake owner should know before investing.

Typically a gentle giant, this snake is relatively docile when it comes to human interaction. He may be large, but he is very common as a pet and relatively inexpensive.

Difference between Male and Female

Because of the presence of two hemipenes located in the bases of their tails,male boas have longer and wider tails than females do. While both genders have cloacal spurs located near their vent, males typically have larger spurs.