# Burmese Python (*Python bivittatus*) The Burmese Python is a big snake with beautiful patterns. They are great at climbing trees and like to bask in the sun! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Tropical forests and grasslands - **Also known as:** Asian Python ![Burmese Python](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424747/objects/5668.jpg) ## Appearance The Burmese Python is a large, heavy-bodied snake with striking patterns. It has dark, irregular blotches outlined in black, set against a lighter tan or yellowish background. A distinct dark arrow shape often marks its head. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Pythonidae - **Genus:** Python ## Interesting facts - A mother python wraps around her eggs and shivers to keep them warm! - Burmese Pythons are excellent swimmers, moving gracefully through water! - Their patterned skin makes them masters of disguise, blending perfectly into their habitat! - This amazing snake can go months without eating after just one huge meal! ## Special abilities - **Squeeze Power:** Burmese Python can constrict prey using its powerful body because this helps them suffocate meals before swallowing. - **Heat Vision:** Burmese Python has special heat-sensing pits on its face that help them find warm-blooded prey, even in total darkness. - **Jaw Stretch:** Burmese Python can unhinge its jaw because this allows them to swallow animals much wider than their own head. - **Underwater Stealth:** Burmese Python can hold its breath for nearly 30 minutes, which helps them ambush prey or escape danger underwater. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 370-760 cm - **Weight:** 50-180 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 12-80 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days - **Maximum Depth:** 10 m ## Diet & Feeding This giant snake is a powerful carnivore that eats mammals and birds whole! - **Age differences:** Young pythons eat smaller prey like rodents, while adults can take on much larger animals. - **Primary Foods:** Rats, Chickens, Deer, Alligators, Rabbits - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — A common prey item. - **Hunts:** Sambar Deer (*Cervus unicolor*) — A large prey item for adults. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Burmese Python? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Burmese Python? 370-760 cm ### How much does Burmese Python weigh? 50-180 kg ### How long does Burmese Python live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Burmese Python move? 2 km/h ### What does Burmese Python eat? This giant snake is a powerful carnivore that eats mammals and birds whole! ### How fast can Burmese Python swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Burmese Python usually found? Tropical forests and grasslands ## Where to spot - [Peoria Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/peoria-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Mill Mountain Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mill-mountain-zoo) — Virginia, US · Zoo - [Homestead Historic Downtown District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/homestead-historic-downtown-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Jones Family Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jones-family-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shark-reef-at-mandalay-bay) — Nevada, US · Zoo [View all places to see Burmese Python](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/burmese-python) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Burmese Python: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/burmese-python)