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Indian Python; Asiatic Rock Python; Black-tailed Python; Burmese Python

Python molurus molurus - Sometimes called Indian Python; Light Phase

Python molurus bivittatus - Sometimes called Indian Python; Burmese Python; Dark Phase

Coloration = browns with yellow, cream, off-white, and dark brown to black markings.
Python molurus bivittatus - Darker than Python molurus molurus; Complete dark "arrow" marking on the head.
Python molurus molurus - Lighter than Python molurus bivittatus; Incomplete "arrow" marking on the head.

Max = 30 feet
Ave = 16.5 feet
Weight = up to 350 pounds.

Python molurus molurus - India; Sri Lanka; Burma
Python molurus bivittatus - Indochina; Malaysia; western Indonesia; southern China

Up to 40 years

Forests near water and rocky areas.

Solitary. Mostly nocturnal; partly arboreal and aquatic. These animals are often seen submerged in water. They have been known to stay submerged for 30 minutes. During the day, these snakes may bask in the sun or remain in a burrow.

Small pythons: Royal Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
Larger pythons: Humans (hunted for food as well as it's skin)

Small mammals, large mammals including deer, pigs, monkeys, and leopards.

HUNTING TECHNIQUES

Python molurus usually hunts at night. It uses scent and the Jacobson's organ to track it's prey. It will "zero in" on the prey by watching the prey animal's movement and sensing it's body heat. After catching the prey animal, the snake will use it's coils to suffocate and crush the prey until death.

These snakes are easily bred in captivity. Breeding normally occurs in November, December, or January. Clutches consist of 20 -100 eggs dependent upon the age and health of the female. Females will brood their clutch. They will twitch their muscles in order to increase heat for their eggs. Females may take water but they very rarely eat while they brood their eggs. Young will hatch in approx. 60 - 80 days.

IN CAPTIVITY

These snakes easily adapt to proper captive conditions. They can become remarkably tame. However, this species is still not recommended for novice herpetologists due to the extreme care requirements of their large size.
Vivarium for one adult snake = at least 6.5 feet x 1.5 feet x 1.5 feet.
Vivarium furnishings: Strong branches or similar apparatus for climbing; Water container large enough for snake to submerge it's entire body.
Temperature: Day = approx. 82 degrees F. Night = approx. 73 degrees F.
Humidity: Medium to dry - mimicking natural seasonal variation if possible.
Food: mice, rats, chickens, rabbits.

Python molurus molurus: India has placed this species on it's protected species list. It is also listed in the First Annex to the Washington Convention (CITES).
Python molurus bivittatus: is listed in the Second Annex to the Washington Convention (CITES).