Burmese python
(Python molurus ssp. bivittatus)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Python molurus bivittatus is native to Southeast Asia. Burmese python were introduced to the United States as escaped or intentionally released pets.
Life Cycle
Burmese pythons can grow to an average length of 6-9 ft (1.8-2.7 m). Burmese python are tan in color with dark irregular blotches on the back and sides to form puzzle-like pieces while the underbelly is pale. Heads have a dark arrowhead shape on the top of its head with dark wedges behind the eyes. Python molurus bivittatus can lay 12-48 eggs during the spring. Females incubate the eggs by coiling around them and raising their own body temperature. While incubating, female python molurus bivittatus do not eat. Young hatchlings are 18-29 in. (46-74 cm) in length and fend for themselves after hatching.
Distribution
Burmese pythons have large breeding populations in Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties, mainly within and around the Florida Everglades. Other python sightings outsides of south Florida are likely escaped or intentionally released pets.
Control Efforts
Python molurus bivittatus pose a threat to human safety. Adult Burmese python threaten native wildlife species because it has few predators. Accordingly, the presence of Burmese python has led to severe declines of mammal populations in the Everglades. Learn to identify Florida’s native snakes and tell them apart from exotic species. If you live near affected areas, you can make your yard less attractive to Burmese pythons by removing excess debris and maintaining landscaping.
Do your research before buying an exotic pet, and remember, Don’t Let It Loose! Surrender unwanted exotic pets at one of FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Day events or call the Pet Amnesty hotline at 1-888-IVE-GOT1
https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/sciencebitesvolume2/chapter/1-4-invasive-species-burmese-python-python-bivittatus-and-its-effect-in-florida/
https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-have-invasive-pythons-impacted-florida-ecosystems?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products
https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/burmese-python
https://www.evergladescisma.org/the-dirty-dozen/burmese-python/
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/snakes/burmese-python/
Python molurus bivittatus is native to Southeast Asia. Burmese python were introduced to the United States as escaped or intentionally released pets.
Life Cycle
Burmese pythons can grow to an average length of 6-9 ft (1.8-2.7 m). Burmese python are tan in color with dark irregular blotches on the back and sides to form puzzle-like pieces while the underbelly is pale. Heads have a dark arrowhead shape on the top of its head with dark wedges behind the eyes. Python molurus bivittatus can lay 12-48 eggs during the spring. Females incubate the eggs by coiling around them and raising their own body temperature. While incubating, female python molurus bivittatus do not eat. Young hatchlings are 18-29 in. (46-74 cm) in length and fend for themselves after hatching.
Distribution
Burmese pythons have large breeding populations in Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties, mainly within and around the Florida Everglades. Other python sightings outsides of south Florida are likely escaped or intentionally released pets.
Control Efforts
Python molurus bivittatus pose a threat to human safety. Adult Burmese python threaten native wildlife species because it has few predators. Accordingly, the presence of Burmese python has led to severe declines of mammal populations in the Everglades. Learn to identify Florida’s native snakes and tell them apart from exotic species. If you live near affected areas, you can make your yard less attractive to Burmese pythons by removing excess debris and maintaining landscaping.
Do your research before buying an exotic pet, and remember, Don’t Let It Loose! Surrender unwanted exotic pets at one of FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Day events or call the Pet Amnesty hotline at 1-888-IVE-GOT1
https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/sciencebitesvolume2/chapter/1-4-invasive-species-burmese-python-python-bivittatus-and-its-effect-in-florida/
https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-have-invasive-pythons-impacted-florida-ecosystems?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products
https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/burmese-python
https://www.evergladescisma.org/the-dirty-dozen/burmese-python/
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/snakes/burmese-python/
Resources
- Florida's Exotic Wildlife Species Detail - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database - U.S. Geological Survey
- Wikipedia - Wikimedia Foundation, Inc
- Everglades Burmese Python Project - Davidson College Herpetology Laboratory
- Python Snakes, An Invasive Species In Florida, Could Spread To One Third Of US - Science Daily
- Stopping a Burmese python invasion - Nature Conservancy
- Global Invasive Species Database - Invasive Species Specialist Group
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Reptilia |
| Order: Squamata |
| Family: Pythonidae |
| Genus: Python |
| Species: Python molurus |
| Python molurus ssp. bivittatus |
References
Common Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.
Scientific Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.