So, have you REALLY decided to get yourself a tiger python?
Perhaps you were impressed by this photo of Nastassja Kinski
Maybe you saw the late Steve Irwin with one of these majestic snakes, or you might be inspired by Kita from the movie Snakes on a Plane. There are so many reasons to be fascinated by giant pythons...
And if you decide that you want to keep a 4.5 meter snake in your home, then the tiger python is the best choice.
Or were you hoping the snake would be a little... smaller? Did the nice people at the pet store say that an adorable baby would never outgrow his 280 liter jar if you only fed him mice?
And he was really charming, with a round face and big curious eyes, and when he crawled towards you in his terrarium - you just couldn't help but buy him. And of course, this little skein of scales will never become a monstrous chicken-eater that weighs more than 40kg.
Alas, he may very well be larger - and if "he" turns out to be a female, this will almost certainly happen. If you are not ready for this, then you need to do what will be best for both you and the snake: give it to good hands. It will be much easier to do this now than later, when you have a three-meter snake that continues to grow every day. And don't let her go free! It's not just about the cats and dogs she devours. This can terribly damage the local ecosystem.
But you are crazy about this little guy, and are ready to do anything to keep him. That's when I come to the rescue: I love tiger pythons and want to see that they live in proper conditions and receive as much care as they deserve.
Fortunately, this is not a particularly difficult task. Brindle are the least demanding of the giant boas. They tend to be much more cuddly in temperament than African Rock Pythons or anacondas, and much less active than reticulated pythons. At the same time, the animals are very large, and there are a number of serious requirements for their maintenance. If you have the resources, then keeping this gentle giant will not be a problem for you. If not, then it is better to consider other types of snakes.
Purchase
So, you have studied the issue and decided that you want to get a tiger, no matter what.
You have allocated the necessary funds, checked local laws on the issue of keeping large snakes at home, received consent from the neighbors, persuaded the spouse, land owner and other interested parties. Where will you go now to find the small (or not so) scaly inhabitant of your dreams?
Many people THINK they want a giant python. And only a few are ready for the daily difficulties and restrictions that life imposes with a snake that weighs more than they do. As a result, animals end up in shelters, and almost always there are adult animals and juvenile tiger pythons available for “adoption”.
If you have some experience with reptiles (particularly large snakes), you can take a large refuse-bearing Burmese. In the absence of experience, it is better to think twice before adopting a snake from a shelter. The animal may have lived in poor conditions or been abused, as a result of which it may have health problems and be more unpredictable than a pet raised from babies.
When choosing a breeder, you have many options. For the most part, you're better off avoiding pet stores. While there are pet stores that take good care of their animals (and some even specialize in reptiles), a lot more keep their "merchandise" in unhealthy, unsanitary conditions. If you see several snakes together in the same container with insufficient heating and dirty substrate, leave. Resist the desire to save the snake that you saw in this sad situation: in the absence of experience, you are unlikely to be able to help her, and you will simply sponsor an unscrupulous seller.
An invaluable resource for those looking for a Burmese (or any other reptile) is the Fauna Classifieds Board of Inquiry (sort of like a black and white list).
As with any other forum, discussion here can be off topic or cause conflict. Nevertheless, this is a great place to learn more about the reputation and history of the person you are about to do business with. You can also learn more about the Burmese python market and get expert animal care advice on the various big boa forums.
Bob Clark, who first brought the albino morph of the Burmese python to market in 1987, has excellent forums. Unfortunately, Bob himself rarely participates in discussions on forms, but many other owners and breeders are regular participants, incl. Jim "Bebo" Mason, Sam Burden, and Dr. Jay Owens.
You can also visit a reptile show in your area and buy a snake there. The reptile exhibit will allow you to see the planned Burmese python live, as well as many of its varieties.
The Burmese come in several basic species forms:
1.Normal : normal burmese python: Beige to coffee-colored snakes with black markings and a light belly.
2. Albino: Juvenile Burmese Amelanists are bright white with a fluorescent orange pattern. As they mature, they become ivory white with banana-white spots. 
3. Green: Also known as "Patternless," these Burmese are silvery olive in color.
4. Granite: The python of this morph has a warm olive color with flecks.
5. Labyrinth: The Labyrinth Burmese has a golden color and a unique pattern.
These basic color variations, when mixed, produced other morphs.
In addition, choosing a Burmese at the exhibition, you will have the opportunity to see for yourself the state of his health, mental balance and general well-being before you decide to buy.
Avoid buying snakes with mucus or crusts around the nostrils (these are signs of a cold). Pay Special attention on "dreamy" - the desire to keep the head in an uncomfortable position facing the sky - and difficulty in moving or straightening the body when the snake is coiled.
These could all be signs of Inclusion Body Disease (IBD), a deadly and highly contagious retroviral disease that can wipe out your entire animal collection if brought into the home.
If you've never had the chance to hold a full-grown Burmese in your arms, then going to an exhibition might give you the opportunity to do so and decide if you're really capable of keeping these gentle giants.
Feeding
That inquisitive behavior that melted your heart at the pet store is really just a search for food. Your Burmese didn't come out to greet you, he just hoped you'd bring him something to eat.
Burmese pythons are bottomless stomachers: they usually eat as often as you feed them and as much as you offer. In the wild, Burmese kites are food for a large number of predators. Those that grow faster will be more likely to survive. Therefore, the Burmese are always willing to have a bite to eat.
Unfortunately, domesticated Burmese have access to food on a much more regular basis than their wild counterparts. In the wild, a month can pass between python meals, while in captivity, some owners will feed their pets weekly, or even twice a week. The result of this will be a growth spurt - but this is extremely detrimental to the health of the snake. Just like in humans, obesity in snakes affects the heart, circulatory system, liver and other organs, which can shorten the life of the animal.
Other owners, on the contrary, keep their pets on starvation rations or feed small food objects to stop the growth of the python. Such a strategy may be successful for several months, but soon the result will be weakened, sick, mentally unstable snakes, most likely to bite and be prone to respiratory diseases and other infections.
As a first meal, most Burmese cubs can eat a small rat. Weekly feeding is good for an animal in its first year or so: at the end of this period, your baby will be about 1.8 to 3 meters long.
After that, you can start feeding him once every two weeks. Fully grown pythons can be fed once every three or four weeks. Like most cold-blooded animals, snakes have a very slow metabolism. Therefore, their energy consumption is significantly lower than that of warm-blooded animals comparable in size.
Food items that leave a noticeable but not too prominent bulge on the snake's body are generally better: an adult python can do without large rabbits, turkeys, small pigs and kids. Lakshmi, who weighs about 35 kg, eats 2-3 giant rats (each weighing over 400 g) and one adult guinea pig (which weighs 0.7-0.9 kg) every two weeks.
You shouldn't have any problems feeding your Burmese. From the very beginning, try to teach him to take thawed food items. Although some snakes refuse to eat anything other than live prey, Burmese tend to be less demanding.
The shops have a fine selection of guinea pigs, rabbits or giant rats. I was also satisfied with the use of rabbit farm products until Lakshmi decided that she would not eat rabbits anymore.
Although the Burmese generally have a very healthy appetite, individuals often have their own food preferences. They will sometimes refuse food items they have adored eating for months or even years, demanding variety in their diet. It can be confusing when, after the third or fourth try, your little one rejects a $15 or so bunny.
Taming
An adult Burmese can generate several hundred pounds per square inch of pressure while coiled up. He can drag you around the room like a rag doll if he starts to get nervous and thrash about.
If you decide to measure your strength with your Burmese, it may end badly for you. Fortunately, all these muscles are controlled by a brain the size of Walnut- and a smart owner will use this to his advantage.
From the very beginning, you should do "hook training" for your python. Take the hook and hook or stroke the snake with it before handling it. NEVER use this hook while feeding a snake. Over time, the snake will take the use of the hook as a sign that no food is forthcoming. This will help dampen the hunting instinct and insure you against the possibility of being mistaken for dinner at the moment you are about to change the water.
Warning: You will not be able to use the hooks to lift Burmese of any size. You may have seen pictures of people holding thin-bodied snakes with one or two hooks. If you try to repeat the same with a seasoned Burmese, then most likely you will break the animal's ribs and / or bend the hook.
Use the hook as a signal, not as a transport device. If you do not want to use a hook for this purpose, then the length of the broom or something else should be large enough so that you can gently touch the snake from the distance from which you will work.
Using force when dealing with your Burmese will backfire. You will be more successful if you carefully place your hands around the snake's neck and guide it where you want it to go.
She may resist several times, and even hiss, demonstrating her displeasure - but in the end she will turn her head and cheerfully crawl away in the direction you indicated. In other words, when dealing with a Burmese, you will have to use "power despite" much more often than "power over". Use the Burmese's size to your advantage: let the force of inertia move him back to his cage or makeshift container (we use Rubbermaid's large tubs).
Burmese and alcohol are a VERY bad combination. Burmese pythons, like other snakes, cannot stand the smell of alcohol. Intoxication makes you clumsy: you can, for example, miscalculate your strength when you take a snake and hurt it. Since the assessment of the situation becomes less objective and the speed of reaction decreases when intoxicated, you can do something stupid that will lead to trouble.
If you are unable to drive, then you should not take the snake (and neither should your friends). The same goes for taking certain medications that reduce concentration or when you are nervous or very anxious.
Wash your hands before and after handling your Burmese. By washing your hands before contact, you can get rid of any odors that may arouse the hunting instinct in your animal (the Burmese hunt based on heat and smell, their sense of smell is much finer than ours. And you will not be able to catch the smell of a neighbor's bunny until a few hours after how you stroked it, but that doesn't mean your python can't). Washing your hands after caring for a pet is a must to avoid catching salmonellosis (although the chances of catching salmonellosis are much greater when you cook chicken than when you hold your snake, there is still some risk of infection. But washing your hands with antibacterial soap minimizes this).
Heating
In my opinion, Pro Products Heating Panels are the best source of heat for Burmese pythons. They are slightly more expensive than alternatives such as ceramic heat lamps or heating cords, but easily cover even large areas, precisely control the temperature in the terrarium (which should always be 27°C or higher in a cold corner and 31-32°C in a warm ).
You will also need a thermostat.
I use Ranco, Spyder Robotics also works well. Try to place the terrarium away from walls, especially the wall facing the street, as this can lead to heat loss and a drop in temperature in the terrarium. If this is not possible, then you can lay the space between the terrarium and the wall with foam or other thermal insulation material.
If you have a small Burmese that you purchased from a pet store, then you may have been sold it along with a heating stone. Do a good deed for yourself and throw this snake-killing garbage into the darkness of the underworld where it comes from. Hot rocks are notorious for burning snakes: they have hot spots that can cause nasty sores and burns on your pet's stomach. For adult Burmese, this is no longer a problem: no one produces stones large enough for them to use. But owners of young snakes should be careful.
When it comes to warmth, you can not save at the expense of quality. A failed thermostat or an inactive heating element can cause the terrarium to become severely overheated or undercooled. non-compliance temperature regime can lead to disease or even death of the snake. Although Burmese are quite hardy snakes, insufficient warming usually leads to respiratory problems and reduces the vitality of the animal. And it's unlikely that you want to take £100+ for a snake to your veterinarian (assuming you can go to a veterinarian who knows what to do with reptiles). In general, compliance with the temperature regime will help to avoid this.
And don't use electric blankets to heat a python terrarium. The Burmese hunt more intensely when they feel warm. If blood or other odors from frozen food stain a heating blanket on the floor, your python may mistake it for dinner. Even if this does not happen, there remains a serious risk of fire in case of a short circuit from spilled water or python waste.
All of the above should not be confused with "pig blankets", rigid, waterproof heating mats that are used for piglets and can be used to heat a reptile terrarium.
Health
In the short term, Burmese pythons are very hardy snakes. They will put up with worse than necessary conditions for weeks and months. But if the faults remain uncorrected, the Burmese, like anyone else, will suffer. If you have a Burmese python, you probably want to keep it healthy. And it's not only your pet that doesn't need it - it will save you a lot of money. A big snake could well mean big medical bills - finding a veterinarian willing to interact with your pet won't be easy.
Hypothermia can lead to a respiratory infection. The snake may become lethargic and lose its appetite. He will raise his head and open his mouth wide as if he cannot breathe. You may hear loud wheezing or see mucus around the snake's nostrils. Left untreated, a respiratory infection can kill your pet. Veterinary care will definitely be required. Before the arrival of a doctor, it is necessary to increase the temperature in the terrarium to 33 ° C or as close to this value as possible.
You can also add an extra water container to increase the humidity in the air. While the animal is sick, feed it smaller food objects. Large meals are harder to digest and can lead to regurgitation.
Unsanitary conditions can lead to necrotic dermatitis, otherwise known as scale rot. This disease manifests itself as brown spots or discoloration of the abdomen along the entire length with uneven or rough edges.
If you see similar symptoms in your snake, then use original Neosporin™ (or any other known ointments containing acitracin, neomycin, polymyxin B and nothing else). If this does not help, you need to contact your veterinarian.
When necrotic dermatitis appears, it is necessary to disinfect the terrarium of the animal as soon as possible. A 10% chlorine bleach solution can be used for this (but make sure the cage is completely dry before reinserting the snake). You can also bathe the Betadine snake, the solution should be the color of strong tea (just make sure that the snake does not drink this water and does not dip its head into it). Batadine and Neosporine baths can also be used if the snake has rubbed its nose on the terrarium or has been hurt in some other way.
Ticks are another curse that often attacks terrarium snakes. Look for black moving dots on the snake's bed or around its eyes. If mites are found, thoroughly clean the terrarium, then use Provent-a-Mite and Reptile Relief.
Keep a close eye on the snake during the molting period, paying special attention to the eyelids and the tip of the tail. If the snake has not shed in any of these areas, there will be problems. A tip of the tail that has not shed can lead to its drying out (dry necrosis of the tail), and skin that has not shed in front of the eyes will prevent the snake from seeing. You may need to visit a veterinarian in order to remove stuck pieces of skin. Compliance with the humidity regime during molting will help to avoid this. Spray the terrarium frequently to maintain high humidity.
If you're having trouble finding qualified reptile care, contact the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV, link broken), which has a directory of members in America and around the world.
Terrarium
In the period from 2 to 3 years, your grown-up Burmese will need a terrarium measuring 1.8 * 1.0 m. Burmese pythons are thick-bodied and a 0.6m wide terrarium is likely to be too narrow for a snake that is as thick as your thigh. If you have a female Burmese python, then I strongly advise you to consider building a 2.3 * 1.0m terrarium. Yes, you can keep an adult snake in a 1.8x0.9m terrarium, and many people do. But in my experience, the extra space allows snakes to be healthier and less prone to obesity.
Terrarium 2.4*0.9 T70 from Animal Plastics is highly recommended by many keepers, as is 1.8*0.9 m Vision Cages. Lakshmi currently lives in 2.4*0.9 terra by Boamaster Reptiles.
Each of these terrariums is bulky (and in the case of Boamaster's terrarium, it is also very massive, weighing over 200kg). In addition, the cost of terrariums is $500 or more. Depending on where you live, it's easy to add $400 for shipping and tips for movers.
If you can build a terrarium yourself, you will save a lot of money. But keep in mind that you will have to build a cage for a very large and very long ball of hard muscle. And anything that is not tightly screwed or secured, your baby will easily squeeze out and be free (trust my experience). It is also necessary to provide waterproofing of the floor (and walls, but to a lesser extent). Otherwise, the terrarium will quickly swell and begin to rot due to constantly spilled water and puddles of urine about 4 liters.
Many of those who prefer to build their own terrariums cover the inside with bathroom tiles. You should think about this too. And at the same time, whether you are ready to work with a shovel for a couple of decades: an adult Burmese empties in the same volumes as a pony.
placed in large terrarium a young Burmese will be under stress, so until he reaches a length of 2.1 m or so, it is better to use smaller dwellings. Since it will reach this length by about a year, I do not recommend spending a lot of money on a temporary terrarium. I use Iris VE175 open tubs for young stock (also known as "Christmas Tree Boxes" and affordable plastic reptile containers. They are spacious, sturdy, hard to escape from, and easy to clean and heat.
There are many options for interior decoration of terrariums. Newspapers are a cheap and highly absorbent substrate. Some people buy replacement terrarium liners or brown paper. Others use aspen or other substrates made specifically for reptiles (but don't use softwood shavings as the resin can irritate or even kill your snake). Your Burmese is likely to pile it all up and move whatever you have carefully placed in his home as he sees fit. In accordance with this, the interior for him should be arranged as simple as possible.
While a small Burmese will happily use hiding places, it will be of little use to a juvenile or adult.
Water
Your Burmese will require plenty of clean, fresh drinking water. Lakshmi has two main water containers: we often refill them from other dishes when she spills them or when the air is particularly dry. You need to keep an eye on the water containers, as Burmese (like other snakes) will often defecate into the water.
They also have a special ability to knock over dishes of water, which leads to the need to have another terrarium to put the snake in while cleaning. Buying a good washing vacuum cleaner can make your life a lot easier.
The Burmese prefer moderate humidity. If the humidity is too low, shedding problems may occur, too high threatens the development of necrotizing dermatitis.
The optimal humidity range will be 45-75%%, during the molting period, it is necessary to strive to ensure the upper values of the interval. During the shedding period, you can sometimes mist the snake: a regular garden sprinkler will help you with this. At the same time, one should not forget that during the molting, the snake can be more nervous than usual (if you had blinkers on your eyes and your whole body itched, I don’t think that all this would be accompanied by a good mood). So a little caution during this period can save you the pain of a defensive bite later.
Safety
By and large, Burmese pythons are very easy to tame. They are tolerant and even enjoy being carried on their hands. They can hiss, but very rarely bite. It's easy to relax when dealing with these docile, slow-moving giants. But it's also easy to top up the death stats (the article talks about how a 4m Burmese python killed its owner while feeding).
A hungry adult Burmese is a very dangerous animal. If by mistake he takes any part of your body for food, he will cling to and try to wrap himself around you. At best, it will simply not be pleasant.
While Burmese are not venomous, a bite from a large boa constrictor can send you to the hospital with torn tendons and arteries. If he manages to wrap himself around you one or more times, he may well be able to kill you. Contact with any Burmese over 3m in length must take place in the presence of a minimum of two people. When it comes to snakes over 4.5m long, it's best to have three pairs of hands. The second person should be able to pick up the boa constrictor by the tail.
In extreme cases, mouthwash or alcohol may be used to force the snake to let go of the prey and attempt to escape. If you live alone (or plan to do so soon), you really need to think long and hard about getting a Burmese.
They can be unusually meek pets, but they never cease to be wild animals. If you forget about it, you can get a very painful, or even fatal reminder.
If you have other animals, you should keep them at a safe distance from the Burmese python. This is important for everyone's safety: a cat can cripple a sleeping snake, just like a hungry Burmese can swallow a pocket poodle.
If you have children, then you should consider keeping the snake in a closed room. At the very least, it is necessary to securely lock the terrarium from curious kids.
You should also be prepared for the fact that you may be held criminally or administratively liable if your pet runs away and causes damage. If your Burmese eats the neighbor's dog, you may be facing an expensive lawsuit. If he strangles the neighbor's child, then you will probably be charged with murder. These scenarios may seem incredible. And it's in your interest to make them impossible.
Nothing written is intended to deter you from acquiring a Burmese. On the contrary, I encourage any interested and qualified people to get themselves this beauty. But I do not want to be silent about the responsibility that inevitably accompanies the maintenance of large pythons.
There is no shame in admitting that you are unable to meet these requirements. It's a shame to neglect them or mistreat animals because you don't have the opportunity to take care of them properly.
Law and the Burmese python
Improper decisions on your part can cost dearly to those of us who treat Burmese and other giant snakes responsibly: Burmese have already been outlawed in several jurisdictions.
Your Burmese python is adorable. Your Burmese python is handsome. But depending on where you live, your python may be outlawed. Thanks to irresponsible people throwing animals they don't need into the street, several sensational deaths due to Burmese pythons or other giant boas, many places have introduced restrictions or a complete ban on the keeping of Burmese by private individuals.
Restrictions on Burmese pythons may be at the state level (New York, for example, prohibits individuals from owning Burmese pythons unless they were purchased before December 2004). The ban may also be based on local government regulations. (A keeper had his 2.7m Isis python confiscated after his neighbor saw a photo of the python on his MySpace profile. Although there is no official state ban in the Carolinas, keeping pythons is prohibited at the municipal level.)
Content rules may include species or size restrictions. A Burmese who is legal when acquired may become outlawed when he grows up and exceeds the size of 1.8m or other arbitrary limits. In other areas, a permit or license is required to keep these animals.
Even if your Burmese is legal today, there is no guarantee that the rules will not change in your region tomorrow. If this happens, you may be among the "grandfathered" (meaning that the law is not retroactive). You will be allowed to keep your pets for as long as you want, but will not be allowed to breed them or acquire new ones. Or you may be given some time to get rid of your animal by selling it, giving it to other hands, or euthanizing it.
In addition, in today's mobile society, there is no guarantee that you will not have to move to a new place of residence. Before purchasing a Burmese python or moving into a new home with an old pet, you need to be sure that the snake will not be outlawed. Otherwise, fines, eviction and even criminal prosecution await you. What's more, your pet may be destroyed, so take the time to learn the law.
Despite the foregoing, not all people comply with the requirements of the law. You may have been transferred to a state that bans Burmese, but you don't want to get rid of your beloved pet. Maybe your new pet has already arrived (most breeders leave it up to the buyer to research and follow local laws).
In this case, as in most efforts to maintain the appearance of law-abiding, caution will have great importance. Before taking a large python out to the park to capture the imagination of children and students, make sure that the snake does not attract the attention of law enforcement officers (you must be careful with public display of your snake, even if it is legal. It is stressful for both the reptile itself, and for snake-phobic passers-by).
Be aware that in the event of a house fire or other emergency, you may find yourself answering awkward questions from unsmiling badge-wielding people. By illegally keeping a Burmese python, you put yourself and the animal at risk. And although the danger can be minimized, it cannot disappear completely.
Which is considered one of the largest in the world. In 2005, the reptile of this species was recognized as the heaviest in the world. With a length of 8.2 m, it weighed 183 kg.
Appearance
This type of reptile got its name due to the color, reminiscent of the color of a tiger. The length of the tiger python reaches 8 m, and sometimes more. The body of this snake is olive or yellowish brown in color, on which large dark brown spots are scattered. On the head of the tiger python, you can see a dark arrow-shaped spot. Among them, there are albinos - individuals that do not have protective pigmentation. In nature, the albino tiger python is very rare, since the lack of a protective color dooms it to death in early childhood. However, because of the extraordinarily beautiful appearance, such individuals are very popular among snake lovers. Therefore, they began to artificially withdraw.
Habitat
The tiger python lives in the vast Southeast and in particular, it is distributed in countries such as Pakistan, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal. As a rule, representatives of this species can be found in swamps, sparse forests, as well as on rocky foothills and fields.
Lifestyle
The tiger python is a sedentary reptile that prefers to hunt at night. Said snake attacks prey from an ambush, then bites it and suffocates it with its body. The food for tiger pythons is rodents, various birds, monkeys and small ungulates. There are even cases when individuals of this species attacked jackals, leopards, wild boars and crocodiles. Most often, tiger pythons can be found near water bodies, because they feel good in the water. They can swim and dive. Also, these snakes can climb trees. Their life expectancy is 20-25 years.
In nature, there are 3 subspecies of tiger pythons:
- Indian python.
- Burmese python.
- Ceylon tiger python.
The largest of these is the Burmese, or dark tiger python. Its length varies between 6 and 8 meters (maximum 9.15 m) and its weight is about 70 kg. In addition, it has the darkest color, which is clearly visible in the photo of the python. At the same time, it has many color variations. This subspecies is often kept in terrariums.
Less large is the Indian, which is also called the light tiger python. Its length is 6 m. It has a lighter color. This subspecies is included in the Red Book. Due to hunting, its population is constantly decreasing. The skin of these snakes is used to make wallets, boots, belts, etc. The Ceylon subspecies is considered the smallest among tiger pythons. Its length rarely exceeds 3 m. Outwardly, it strongly resembles an Indian python. Ceylon can be distinguished by the reddish color of the head.
How often do Burmese pythons eat? and got the best answer
Answer from ***T@tian@***[guru]
Interestingly, with such an "uncomfortable" diet, the python digests its food quickly enough. Otherwise, having in the digestive tract, for example, a swallowed calf, the snake naturally becomes extremely clumsy and can easily become someone's prey.
Answer from Victoria[guru]
He often preys on animals that come to drink. In addition to ungulates, monkeys and rodents, it attacks small crocodiles, monitor lizards, agamas and other reptiles
Burmese pythons - one of the largest snakes in the world - reach eight meters in length and weigh up to 180 kilograms. As a rule, these snakes avoid people. They are considered quite dangerous, as they can, curling around a person, easily crush him to death.
More recently, there was news that in the United States a python, which was trying to digest a two-meter alligator, was torn in half. Today it became known to the new episode of the Burmese python, in which a suspicious bulge was found on the body. In the US state of Florida, a Burmese python with a suspicious bulge in its abdomen was subjected to X-ray examination, which showed that the reptile ate a Siamese cat. Last Sunday, the Rodriguez family discovered a 3.5-meter python near the forest of their home in Miami. A large bulge was observed in the digestive tract of the snake. Since the family had recently lost their one-year-old Siamese cat named Frances, the Rodrigues suspected the worst. “I'm sure he has a cat inside,” said Andres, one of his sons. His mother, Elidia, was also suspicious, but she said she needed to be sure. “I still want to know for sure that in the belly of the snake and it is he,” said the lady. The found python was taken to the reserve, where he was given an X-ray examination, which determined that the python had actually eaten the Elsiamese cat. “The X-ray showed that the bulge in the capiton’s stomach is the cat he ate,” said veterinarian William Chavez.
Answer from Cover Vladimir[guru]
Three subspecies of these reptiles are known: this is the Indian light tiger python Python molurus molurus, a snake of medium size, usually does not exceed 4 meters, but six-meter specimens are also known. Distributed in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh. The coloration of this subspecies is lighter than the other two. Due to the intensive development of natural habitats, the range of the Indian python has sharply decreased. Currently, pythons are found in protected areas and national parks in the south and southeast of India. The Indian light tiger python is protected by law, is included in the national and international Red Books, and in the first appendix of the CITES lists. It is bred in captivity, but is extremely rare in amateur terrariums.
Ceylon tiger python - Python m. pimbura is the smallest of the tiger pythons. Usually its length does not exceed 2 - 3 meters. Outwardly, it looks like a light tiger python, with which it was previously combined into one subspecies. It differs from the Indian python in addition to size, in the shape of the head. Python m. pimbura is an endemic of the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), inhabiting the few forests and jungles that have survived in their original form. It is included in the national and international Red Books, and in the second appendix of the CITES lists. Due to its small size, for terrarium lovers, it is a desirable species for keeping, but it is quite expensive and rare, bred in captivity.
And finally the Dark Tiger Python - P. m. bivittatus is the largest, brightest and most common python in this group in zoo and terrarium collections. It is colored darker than other subspecies (hence the name), inhabits the mountain rainforests (it is called the "mountain Burmese python") of Southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Northern Thailand, Laos, Burma. In the mountains it rises up to 1800 m above sea level. It reaches a length of up to 7 m, but in a terrarium it is usually about 4-5 m, and some of its morphs are even less. P.m. bivittatus is included in the second appendix of the CITES lists. At present, there are quite a lot of morphs and color variations of this python in the world.
They feed young pythons 1 time in 7-10 days, adults 1 time in 10-20 days, with food objects of the same size: mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds. Usually pythons are not picky eaters and absorb any food that is suitable for them in size, although sometimes there are exceptions specializing in one food preference, for example, on a bird, so when purchasing an animal, you need to ask about its taste preferences. Sometimes pythons of adolescence and adult animals can refuse food and starve for 1-6 months without compromising health. This is due to the imitation of natural seasonality, wintering, skin change, sexual behavior, etc.
Answer from Igor pavlov[guru]
Burmese pythons can only feed a few times a year, digesting their prey without a trace. According to a study by biologist Robert K. Pope of Indiana University South Bend and his colleague Jean-Hervé Lignot of the University of Louis Pasteur, the secret to this natural "talent" - in a special type of cells, previously unknown to science.
The digestive features of Burmese pythons are truly amazing. These animals manage to absorb food weighing twice their weight in one sitting. In addition, food occurs in them quite rarely.
Interestingly, with such an "uncomfortable" diet, the python digests its food quickly enough. Otherwise, having in the digestive tract, for example, a swallowed calf, the snake naturally becomes extremely clumsy and can easily become someone's prey.
The mechanical basis of this process lies in the ability internal organs python to stretch. But for a long time it was not clear how digestion occurs - after all, the Burmese python somehow digests food completely (with the exception, perhaps, of feathers and down).
As Pope and Linho found, this digestion is provided by a special type of cell, which they called trap cells. These cells are shaped like depressions in the walls of the intestine. During digestion, they come into contact with food, and the microvilli of neighboring cells “catch” its particles, placing them inside the trap cell.
In these cells, particles of bone tissue accumulate, which then undergo further splitting.
According to Pope, the main "task" of the trap cells is to help absorb as much calcium as possible.
Researchers claim that cells of this type are not found in other living beings.!!! 
Abstract on the topic:
Plan:
- Introduction
- 1 Description
- 1.1 Appearance
- 1.2 Spreading
- 1.3 Lifestyle
- 1.4 Nutrition
- 1.5 Breeding
- 2 Conservation status
- 3 Significance for a person
- 4 Content in captivity
- 5 Invasive view Notes
Literature
Introduction
Or burmese python(lat. Python molurus bivittatus) is one of the subspecies of the tiger python.
1. Description
1.1. Appearance
The dark tiger python is the largest of the subspecies of the tiger python. It can reach a length of 8 m or more, but usually there are individuals about 5-5.5 m long and weighing about 70 kg. The record copy reached a length of 9.15 m. This subspecies also included the heaviest snake kept in captivity - a tiger python named "Baby" (Eng. Baby), who lived in the Snake Safari Park in Illinois (USA) and in 2005 weighed 183 kg with a length of 8.2 m. Females are usually larger and more massive than males.
Different from light tiger python ( Python molurus molurus) with the following features:
- the absence of light "eyes" in the centers of the spots located on the sides of the body;
- a well-defined diamond-shaped spot on the head;
- usually darker in color, which is dominated by dark brown, olive-brown, brownish tones.
1.2. Spreading
The most widespread subspecies of the tiger python. Lives in Burma, East India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, southern China (including Hainan Island), Malaysia, Indochina. Absent in Borneo and Sumatra, but found in Java, Sulawesi and some small islands of Indonesia.
The dark tiger python was unintentionally introduced in the state of Florida (USA).
1.3. Lifestyle
Tiger pythons live in humid tropical forests, jungles with open glades, swamps, rocky foothills, river valleys. They prefer to settle near permanent water bodies. Pythons swim and dive well, they are able to stay under water for up to half an hour. Young individuals climb trees well, but adult pythons, due to their large mass, prefer to lead a mostly terrestrial lifestyle. Sometimes pythons are found near human settlements, where they are attracted by the abundance of synanthropic rodents.
Pythons are active mainly at night.
In the northern part of its range, the dark tiger python may be dormant during several cold months of the year. At the same time, snakes are inactive, stop feeding and hide in empty tree trunks, burrows or caves. This kind of hibernation helps to prepare the reproductive organs (both males and females) for the upcoming breeding season.
1.4. Nutrition
Tiger pythons, like all snakes, are predators and feed on various mammals and birds. Various rodents (including porcupines), monkeys, civets, waterfowl and chicken birds, pigeons, and sometimes large lizards (for example, monitor lizards) become prey for pythons. They can attack pets and birds. Large individuals are capable of killing and swallowing such prey as young or small deer, goats and pigs. There are cases of attacks of large pythons on leopards and jackals.
The animals that serve as their food are detected by pythons mainly by smell and by thermal radiation with the help of thermolocator pits located on the upper labials. They hunt from ambush. The prey is seized with teeth and killed by strangulation in the body rings. Pythons are able to swallow very large prey, but they can also starve for a long time.
1.5. reproduction
Tiger pythons can mate in early spring (March-April). Both the male and the female have small claws on the sides of the anus - the so-called anal spurs (rudiments of the hind limbs). The male has larger anal spurs; when mating, he scratches the female with them and rubs against her body. Copulation continues for several hours. In June, 60-155 days after mating, females lay eggs. The clutch size of the tiger python is on average 12-36 eggs, but much larger clutches are also known. The number of eggs laid depends on the size and health of the female. The female stays next to the clutch for 55-85 days, curled around it. Female pythons are able to independently warm the masonry, raising the temperature inside the rings of their body by several degrees due to muscle contractions. The young hatch in August. Baby pythons often stay inside the eggs for some time. Young snakes begin to feed after the first molt.
2. Conservation status
The dark tiger python is listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention on International Trade.
3. Significance for a person
V South-East Asia the meat of tiger pythons is eaten by the local population. Various items of clothing and footwear are made from the skin of large pythons.
Locals often keep tiger pythons in their homes for superstitious reasons, as well as to get rid of rats and mice.
Beautiful coloration, relatively calm and non-aggressive nature made the dark tiger python one of the most popular snakes kept in captivity. They are kept in many zoos and circuses. Despite its large size, this python can often be seen in terrariums by exotic animal lovers.
4. Captivity
Dark tiger python in terrarium
For the maintenance of tiger pythons, spacious terrariums horizontal type with good ventilation. As bedding use sawdust, synthetic mats or paper. Mandatory large swimming pool in which the python could bathe. This is especially important for the correct molting of the snake. To give animals the opportunity to climb, you can install thick and strong snags, tree branches in the terrarium, or attach shelves to the walls of the terrarium. Plants are not placed in terrariums with pythons, as large heavy snakes quickly break them. Temperature in a warm corner of the terrarium during the day - up to 30-32°C, at night - 24-26°C. For supporting desired temperature use special thermal cords and thermal mats. To maintain high humidity, the terrarium and the snake are regularly sprayed with warm water.
Albino dark tiger python
fed tiger pythons, depending on the size of fodder rodents (mice, hamsters, rats), rabbits, guinea pigs, quails, chickens, adults sometimes pigs. Cases of attacks of pythons on leopards and jackals are known. Young snakes are fed once a week, adults - no more than once every 8-10 days. It is important not to overfeed pythons, as they can eat a lot and rarely refuse food, but they are prone to obesity and often this leads to death of the animal.
Tiger pythons breed well in captivity. Through breeding, it was possible to bring out and fix several color morphs of the tiger python, of which albino pythons are especially popular with terrariumists. In captivity, hybrids of the dark tiger python with reticulated ( Python reticulatus), royal ( Python regius) and hieroglyphic ( python sebae) pythons.
These snakes are characterized by rapid growth, and often reach a length of more than 2 m at the age of one year if they are properly cared for and well fed. At the age of 2.5-4 years, they become sexually mature (although a case of a 1.5-year-old female is known to be pregnant), but continue to grow slowly throughout their lives. The maximum life span of a tiger python in captivity is 25 years.
Despite their usually peaceful behavior and calm nature, even tiger pythons kept in captivity for a long time, if not properly handled, can pose a certain danger to humans. The bites of small pythons are very painful, and a large snake can seriously injure or even kill a person by strangling them in the rings of the body. Most often, the python attacks the owner when the second one forgets to wash his hands after a rabbit or other food animal, and since the sense of smell in pythons is very well developed, the snake “attacks” the hand without hesitation.
5. Invasive look
Distribution of the tiger python in the United States
Alligator catching a tiger python
The popularity of the dark tiger python as a pet in the US has led to some unusual and rather serious problems. People who were fed up with their pythons and those who were not able to support those who became too big snakes, got rid of them by releasing them into wildlife. This problem has become especially large in the state of Florida, where a large number of released by the former owners of pythons settled in national park Everglades. Thanks to the warm and humid climate In the southern state, they took root well there, began to multiply and became a harmful invasive species. In the Everglades, tiger pythons compete with Mississippi alligators for a dominant predator niche, with the pythons sometimes attacking and eating alligators, and sometimes the other way around. As tiger pythons feed on rare and endangered birds and alligators, these snakes pose a new threat to the national park's fragile ecosystem.
If you're a Python writer, you've probably seen method definitions wrapped in double underscores in the standard libraries. These "magic" methods form many of the useful interfaces you use all the time, such as when getting a value by element number or printing something out. These methods can and should be used in your programs. How - I'll show you now.
In general, any well-designed language defines a set of conventions and implements them in its standard library. Agreements may concern both purely external signs, like the syntax of names (CamelCase , snake_case ), and the behavior of objects. The Python language is very consistent in this sense.
The syntax in Python is not extensible, but the interfaces between objects are well defined and accessible to any developer. Unlike Java, Python does not have a formal concept of class interfaces, any class can provide any interface, it is enough to define methods with the necessary names and arguments and make sure that their behavior is as expected.
Interfaces in Python
Since Python is dynamically typed, it is not possible to check the conformity of an object's class at compile time. The features for specifying type annotations from Python 3.5 are primarily for external static analyzers and are not used at runtime. Explicitly checking a class with type() is considered bad form.
As a last resort, you can use isinstance() - unlike type(), this function returns True not only for the class itself, but for all its descendants. Type() validation will break on inheritance, which is why people hate it so much.
Object interfaces are defined by so-called magic methods. By convention, their names are surrounded by double underscores. The __init__() method, which serves as a class constructor, is an example that everyone knows. Almost every standard operation, including formatted output and arithmetic, is implemented in some magical way.
To demonstrate, we will write a primitive and slow implementation of an associative array based on a list of tuples, "identical to natural" in the sense of the interface.
Making our own associative array
The implementation will be very simple - a linked list of key-value pairs. For example, the equivalent of an associative array (1: 2, 3: 4) would be [(1, 2), (3, 4)] . It is significantly slower than the built-in one: for example, looking up the value of an element by a key will require O(n) operations, while the built-in one requires O(1). For a demonstration, however, it will do.
We'll call our class Assoc . Let's define the class and its constructor:
Class Assoc(object): def __init__(self, contents=): self._contents = contents
For testing convenience, we made it possible to pass the initial value in the constructor, like Assoc([(1,2), (3,4)]) .
Adding string representations
Python has two different methods for getting the string representation of objects: __repr__ and __str__ . The difference between the two is quite subtle, but significant: __repr__ , by design, should produce a valid Python expression with which to create the same object. This is not always possible, so in practice for many objects it returns just something that allows the developer to identify the object, like
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