Burmese python
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:The Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus, is light yellowish cream with a series of brown elongated rectangular blotches edged with black. There is a lance-shaped mark on the head and neck. There are a number of facial pits, which are sensitive to changes in temperature and allow the python to locate warm-blooded prey hiding in concealed areas.
The Burmese python is one of the largest of all snakes, growing up to 25 feet, usually 20 and weighing up to 190 pounds. It continues to grow throughout life and the great length is due to the presence of a large number of vertebrae (up to 450). The female grows faster than the male and is ultimately larger. The outer layer of skin is shed depending on the rate of growth and may be several times a year.
DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:The Burmese python is found in Burma, Malaysia and Thailand. It lives in jungles and scrubland and may live near human settlements.
BEHAVIOR:The Burmese python climbs well and can suspend itself by its prehensile tail. It is also quite at home in the water, being a good swimmer, and is able to stay submerged for up to half an hour. In the northern parts of its range it may hibernate for some months during the cold season in a hollow tree, a hole in the riverbank or under rocks.
Pythons move by undulating the ribs backwards and forwards by muscular action. The ventral scales grip the substrate.
Like all snakes, pythons lack an outer and middle ear and are therefore deaf to airborne sounds of all but the lowest frequencies. Pythons are also mute or at best can utter a hissing sound by forcing air through the larynx. The sense of smell is the most acute sense. The tongue is flicked out and in carrying scent particles to the Jacobson's organ in the roof of the mouth.
The Burmese python is one of the largest of all snakes, growing up to 25 feet, usually 20 and weighing up to 190 pounds. It continues to grow throughout life and the great length is due to the presence of a large number of vertebrae (up to 450). The female grows faster than the male and is ultimately larger. The outer layer of skin is shed depending on the rate of growth and may be several times a year.
DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:The Burmese python is found in Burma, Malaysia and Thailand. It lives in jungles and scrubland and may live near human settlements.
BEHAVIOR:The Burmese python climbs well and can suspend itself by its prehensile tail. It is also quite at home in the water, being a good swimmer, and is able to stay submerged for up to half an hour. In the northern parts of its range it may hibernate for some months during the cold season in a hollow tree, a hole in the riverbank or under rocks.
Pythons move by undulating the ribs backwards and forwards by muscular action. The ventral scales grip the substrate.
Like all snakes, pythons lack an outer and middle ear and are therefore deaf to airborne sounds of all but the lowest frequencies. Pythons are also mute or at best can utter a hissing sound by forcing air through the larynx. The sense of smell is the most acute sense. The tongue is flicked out and in carrying scent particles to the Jacobson's organ in the roof of the mouth.
Green Anaconda
Member of the boa family, South America’s green anaconda is, pound for pound, the largest snake in the world. Its cousin, the reticulated python, can reach slightly greater lengths, but the enormous girth of the anaconda makes it almost twice as heavy.Green anacondas can grow to more than 29 feet (8.8 meters), weigh more than 550 pounds (227 kilograms), and measure more than 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter. Females are significantly larger than males. Other anaconda species, all from South America and all smaller than the green anaconda, are the yellow, dark-spotted, and Bolivian varieties.Anacondas live in swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams, mainly in the tropical rain forests of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. They are cumbersome on land, but stealthy and sleek in the water. Their eyes and nasal openings are on top of their heads, allowing them to lay in wait for prey while remaining nearly completely submerged.They reach their monumental size on a diet of wild pigs, deer, birds, turtles, capybara, caimans, and even jaguars. Anacondas are nonvenomous constrictors, coiling their muscular bodies around captured prey and squeezing until the animal asphyxiates. Jaws attached by stretchy ligaments allow them to swallow their prey whole, no matter the size, and they can go weeks or months without food after a big meal.Female anacondas retain their eggs and give birth to two to three dozen live young. Baby snakes are about 2 feet (0.6 meters) long when they are born and are almost immediately able to swim and hunt. Their lifespan in the wild is about ten years.
Boa Constrictor
The boa constrictor kills its prey by constriction. Once it catches its victim, the snake wraps its body around the prey in coils, tightening its grip each time the victim breathes out. Eventually no longer able to breathe, the prey dies by suffocation.
HABITAT
The boa constrictor's preferred habitat is rainforest, but it it also found in semiarid savannah. Because its range covers such a large area, the boa constrictor varies considerably in color, marking, and size. On Hog Island, off Central America, the boa constrictor is seldom longer than 3 feet; in most of Central America, it reaches 10 feet, while in Trinidad and Venezuela, it can grow to 20 feet.
In the warmer areas, the boa constrictor is active throughout the year. However, in the cooler climes, it may spend long periods of time inactive.
BREEDING
The boa constrictor has appendages resembling claws on each side of its vent (genital opening). They are the remnants, or vestiges, of the hind limbs inherited form the boa\s lizard-like ancestors. The appendages are generally larger in males than females and are thought to be used by the male to stimulate the female to mate.
After fertilization, the eggs remain in the female's body, where they develop over several months inside thin membranes. Unlike its close relative, the python, the boa constrictor gives birth to live fully formed young. The protective membranes rupture as the young are released. As many as sixty snakes are born at one time, each measuring 17-20 inches.
The young boa constrictor begins feeding within a week or two after its birth and grows quickly, usually reaching a yard in length after several months. It is sexually mature at 2-3 years when it reaches 6-10 feet.
FOOD & HUNTING
The boa constrictor eats a wide variety of food. Young snakes eat mice, small birds, lizards, and frogs. As the snake grows, the size of its prey increases. Adults will eat monkeys, capybaras, agoutis, caimans, and wild pigs.
The boa is a good swimmer and spends a lot of time near and in rivers. It waits for any prey which may come near the water to drink. Once a victim has been overpowered, it is swallowed whole.
Since the boa is cold-blooded and slow moving, it does not require a great amount of food. After eating large prey, such as a wild pig, the snake will not eat for a week or more.
BOA CONSTRICTOR & MAN
Man is the adult boa constrictor's only enemy. However, young boa constrictors are preyed upon by a large variety of forest-dwelling animals such as coatis, hawks, caimans, and wild pigs.
In many parts of its range, the boa constrictor is considered a pest and is killed by farmers because it kills their chickens. It is believed that the snake kills other types of livestock as well.
Boa constrictors are also hunted for their skins, which are sold at high prices. They are killed for food, adn also simply out of fear of them.
HABITAT
The boa constrictor's preferred habitat is rainforest, but it it also found in semiarid savannah. Because its range covers such a large area, the boa constrictor varies considerably in color, marking, and size. On Hog Island, off Central America, the boa constrictor is seldom longer than 3 feet; in most of Central America, it reaches 10 feet, while in Trinidad and Venezuela, it can grow to 20 feet.
In the warmer areas, the boa constrictor is active throughout the year. However, in the cooler climes, it may spend long periods of time inactive.
BREEDING
The boa constrictor has appendages resembling claws on each side of its vent (genital opening). They are the remnants, or vestiges, of the hind limbs inherited form the boa\s lizard-like ancestors. The appendages are generally larger in males than females and are thought to be used by the male to stimulate the female to mate.
After fertilization, the eggs remain in the female's body, where they develop over several months inside thin membranes. Unlike its close relative, the python, the boa constrictor gives birth to live fully formed young. The protective membranes rupture as the young are released. As many as sixty snakes are born at one time, each measuring 17-20 inches.
The young boa constrictor begins feeding within a week or two after its birth and grows quickly, usually reaching a yard in length after several months. It is sexually mature at 2-3 years when it reaches 6-10 feet.
FOOD & HUNTING
The boa constrictor eats a wide variety of food. Young snakes eat mice, small birds, lizards, and frogs. As the snake grows, the size of its prey increases. Adults will eat monkeys, capybaras, agoutis, caimans, and wild pigs.
The boa is a good swimmer and spends a lot of time near and in rivers. It waits for any prey which may come near the water to drink. Once a victim has been overpowered, it is swallowed whole.
Since the boa is cold-blooded and slow moving, it does not require a great amount of food. After eating large prey, such as a wild pig, the snake will not eat for a week or more.
BOA CONSTRICTOR & MAN
Man is the adult boa constrictor's only enemy. However, young boa constrictors are preyed upon by a large variety of forest-dwelling animals such as coatis, hawks, caimans, and wild pigs.
In many parts of its range, the boa constrictor is considered a pest and is killed by farmers because it kills their chickens. It is believed that the snake kills other types of livestock as well.
Boa constrictors are also hunted for their skins, which are sold at high prices. They are killed for food, adn also simply out of fear of them.
Green Tree Python
The green tree python is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful snakes in the world. These arboreal pythons often exhibit a wide range of colorations. Babies are often maroon or yellow, and slowly change color and pattern as they mature. Most animals complete their color shift by two or three years of age. Adults range in color and pattern, but intense greens, yellow, and blues are the name of the game with this species, and their wildly diverse appearance no doubt adds greatly to their popularity.Green tree pythons may be referred to by hobbyists as simply "chondros," which is simply an abbreviated version of their former genus name, Chondropython. Once considered a difficult species to maintain, chondros have proven to be fairly easy to keep once a firm grasp of their basic needs is obtained. In addition to our better understanding of their captive requirements, chondros are now being captive bred in large numbers, making them available to all, and much less tricky to care for than the imported animals of yesteryear.These snakes are often labeled, advertised, and sold by their area of origin, sometimes called their "race." Some commonly available races include Sorong, Biak, Merauke, and Aru. These names simply refer to the local or island from which that bloodline originally hailed. In many cases, the keeper can loosely predict the snake’s adult appearance based on it’s race.Green tree pythons are a small python compared to many of their close relatives. Adults may range greatly in size, but the average mature animal is between 3 and 5 feet in total length. As with many python species, chondros are long lived, and with excellent care can be expected to live well over 15 years.
Blood Pythons
Native to: Peninsular (Western) Malaysia, Sumatra east of the central dividing range of mountains, Bangka Island and other islands in the Strait of Malacca, including the Lingga islands, Riau islands, and Pinang. Most blood pythons in US collection are from central Sumatra.
Adult size: 4/6 feet
Life Span: Over 20 Years But Much More In Captivity
Eggs or young: average clutch 18-30 eggs.
Appearance: This is a heavy bodied snake. Short and stout probably best describes them. Females usually reach an average of 4 - 5 feet. Males are usually smaller, averaging 3 - 4 feet. There are of course some specimens that can reach up to 6 feet. These are usually older females whose weight usually exceeds 30 -35 pounds.
There is a natural color variation in this species. The head is usually pale yellowish - brown to pale brown. The eyes are orange and they swivel. Yes swivel. It is so neat the way they follow you around. The dark elements on the body are light brown to tan to a real dark brown. Sometimes these will have a black or just a very dark margin. The pale patterns on the body are cream to yellow and the sides are usually pale brown. some specimens have cream to yellow markings on the side as well. To date there are no reports of albino or other hypomelanistic traits. There have been however, reports of hypermelanistic conditions.
What does it eat? Borneo babies readily feed on mice. Small mice that are just weaned would be prefered. They can also feed on rat pups. What I do is provide a humid hide box for them to lay around in. In the wild, Blood pythons are often found at night sitting in a pool of water waiting for animals to come and drink. they are a sit and wait type of hunter. As they get older they need to move up to bigger prey such as rats. Bigger specimens can also take down rabbits. They should readily take down frozen thawed food as well. After the food item has thawed heat it up by running hot water over it. It is also not advisable to feed any snake in its enclosure. If this is done routinely the snake will strike at anything entering its enclosure.
Adult size: 4/6 feet
Life Span: Over 20 Years But Much More In Captivity
Eggs or young: average clutch 18-30 eggs.
Appearance: This is a heavy bodied snake. Short and stout probably best describes them. Females usually reach an average of 4 - 5 feet. Males are usually smaller, averaging 3 - 4 feet. There are of course some specimens that can reach up to 6 feet. These are usually older females whose weight usually exceeds 30 -35 pounds.
There is a natural color variation in this species. The head is usually pale yellowish - brown to pale brown. The eyes are orange and they swivel. Yes swivel. It is so neat the way they follow you around. The dark elements on the body are light brown to tan to a real dark brown. Sometimes these will have a black or just a very dark margin. The pale patterns on the body are cream to yellow and the sides are usually pale brown. some specimens have cream to yellow markings on the side as well. To date there are no reports of albino or other hypomelanistic traits. There have been however, reports of hypermelanistic conditions.
What does it eat? Borneo babies readily feed on mice. Small mice that are just weaned would be prefered. They can also feed on rat pups. What I do is provide a humid hide box for them to lay around in. In the wild, Blood pythons are often found at night sitting in a pool of water waiting for animals to come and drink. they are a sit and wait type of hunter. As they get older they need to move up to bigger prey such as rats. Bigger specimens can also take down rabbits. They should readily take down frozen thawed food as well. After the food item has thawed heat it up by running hot water over it. It is also not advisable to feed any snake in its enclosure. If this is done routinely the snake will strike at anything entering its enclosure.
Water Python
General Description: A medium-sized unpatterned python species ranging in color from blackish-brown to olive-brown. The chin is white and the stomach is yellow, ranging from dull-yellow to a stunning rich yellow.
Average adult size: 39"-66"
Distribution: This species ranges across the tropical north of Australia. Specimens are known from Saibai island in the Torres Straits. Also the species occurs along the south coast of New Guinea, from the region of the mouth of the Fly River in the Western Province of PNG west to the vicinity of Timika, Irian Jaya, Indonesia.
Comments: Some water pythons are as nice as a snake can get while others may be very nervous and irritable captives. In general it seems that New Guinea specimens and northeastern Queensland specimens are calmer than are the Northern Territory specimens. Most water pythons are snappy as youngsters and then become more calm as they mature. There are very few New Guinea specimens in captivity in the world. It appears to us, based on the few specimens that we’ve had the opportunity to maintain, that New Guinea water pythons are smaller and more slender than their Australian conspecifics. VPI accomplished the first captive breeding of the New Guinea water pythons.