Burmese Python Natural History
Size
The Burmese Python is in the top 6 largest snakes in the world. They can exceed lengths of 6.5 meters (22 ft) but 5 meters (16 ft) is closer to an average length for this species. Females tend to be larger than males.
Habitat and Distribution
This is an Asian species found in Myanmar, China, India, the Malay Archipelago, Nepal, Vietnam and Thailand to name but a few countries. Burmese Pythons prefer to remain close to streams thriving in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, swamps, deserts, caves, rainforests, marshes and rocky outcrops.
Age
These snakes can live for roughly 30 years in the wild.
Diet
They are carnivores and so feed on smaller reptiles, birds and mammals, swallowing their prey whole. They can swallow prey up to 5x wider than their head.
Groups and Breeding
Burmese Pythons reach sexual maturity at around 4 years of age. Breeding occurs in the spring and females can lay up to 100 eggs in one season. The mother stays to protect and heat the eggs by wrapping herself around them. Once they hatch she leaves them and they must fend for themselves.
Threats
The IUCN classifies this species as Vulnerable. They’re threatened by agriculture, the pet trade and hunting as well as for use in medicine, clothing and jewellery and food.
Interesting Facts
Burmese Pythons have longer bodies than Anacondas but are slimmer.
The Burmese Python During Your Day Out in Kent
Here at Wingham Wildlife Park we have one female Burmese Python named Suzie. She now lives in our new Reptile House but previously called our sister park, Sandwich Wildlife Park home where you may have seen her before its closure during the pandemic lockdowns.
Suzie hatched in 2014 and at her last check-up she had a body length of 18ft (5.5 meters) and a weight of 11.5 stone (74 kg). She enjoys enrichment such as sheep wool, fish blood, scented sticks and when her enclosure is rearranged but one of her favourite things to do is lay in her pool with fresh water pouring on top of her.