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| NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |
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Common Name: Burmese Python
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification: Largest of the three subspecies of Indian python, the Burmese python is a heavy bodied and colorful animal. A pattern of large reddish brown blotches outlined in cream or gold overlay a ground color of pale tan, yellowish-brown, or grey (Mehrtens 1987).
Native Range:
Ranges from northeastern India east through southern China and south through the Malay Peninsula and East Indies. It is absent from the Philippines (Mehrtens 1987).
Nonindigenous Occurrences:
From the mid-1990s through 2003, Everglades park officials have removed 52 Burmese pythons from the park. In 2004, 61 snakes were removed (Lovgren 2005).
In 2007, a single male python was found in Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, Florida. This is the first report of a Burmese Python in the Florida Keys. The snake was located while radio-tracking a Key Largo Woodrat, that was subsequently found in the snake's stomach. (Greene et al. 2007)
Ecology:
Adaptable to a wide variety of habitats, such as grasslands, swamps, marshes, rocky foothills, "open" jungle, woodlands, and river valleys. Populations are dependent upon a permanent source of water. Burmese pythons prey upon mammals, birds, and reptiles of appropriate size (Mehrtens 1987).
A prolific species, these snakes have a clutch size of 29-50 eggs (Brien et al. 2007). The eggs are deposited, incubated, and protected by the female. On average eighteen to twenty four inch hatchlings leave the nest area soon after hatching, and given an abundant food supply grow quickly. Adults may attain lengths of twenty five feet, but specimens over eighteen or twenty feet in length are rarities (Mehrtens 1987).
Means of Introduction: Biologists believe that most of the pythons found in the Everglades were introduced into the park after being discarded by pet owners (Feanny and Rivers 2004). More than 144,000 Burmese pythons have been imported into the U.S. in the last five years for the exotic pet trade (Lovgren 2005).
Status: Established, hatchlings have been found deep within the park.
Impact of Introduction: Compete with native species for resources.
Remarks:
Everglades park service technicians are training a beagle, Python Pete, to track the scent of the Burmese python in the park to aid in removal efforts (Lovgren 2005).
The hatchlings of Burmese pythons are exported in sizeable numbers from southeast Asia annually. Wild populations are also heavily exploited by the exotic leather trade (Mehrtens 1987).
References
Brien, M. L., M. S. Cherkiss, V. M. Johnson and F. J. Mazzotti. 2007. Python molurus bivittatus (Burmese Python) Clutch Size. Herpetological Review 38(3): 342.
Feanny, C. and K.Rivers. 2004. Predators in paradise. CNN.com. October 22, 2004. Available online at URL http://edition.cnn.com/2004.TECH/science/10/22/predators.in.paradise/10/25/2004
Greene, D. U., J. M. Potts, J. G. Duquesnel and R. W. Snow. 2007. Python molurus bivittatus (Burmese Python). USA: Florida: Monroe Co. Herpetological Review 38(3): 355.
Lovgren, S. 2005. Python-tracking puppy trains to patrol Everglades. National Geogrphic News. February 3, 2005.
Mehrtens, J.M. Living Snakes of the World. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 1987.
Other Resources:
Burmese Python (National Park Service)
Author:
Revision Date: 10/24/2007 Citation for this information:
United States Geological Survey. 2009. Python molurus bivittatus. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=2552> Revision Date: 10/24/2007
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