Burmese pythons are large, nonvenomous snakes native to parts of southern and Southeast Asia. Once considered a subspecies of the Indian python (Python molurus), they are now recognized by most authorities as a distinct species. They are among the largest snakes in the world.
Physical Description
The body of a Burmese python can get long and stout over time. Because the body is long, the organs are also long. Snakes usually have only one lung, but the Burmese python has two, one of which is a vestigial lung that is considerably smaller than the other and is not fully functional. Basic body color can be pale tan, yellowish-brown or gray. They have large dark brown or olive blotches outlined in cream or gold.
Pythons are constrictors, so they don't have fangs. However, they do have many back-curving teeth that grab and hold the prey and don't allow escape.
Size
The Burmese python is one of the six largest snakes in the world. Lengths of over 15 feet (4.6 meters) are common, and unverified sources claim the species can exceed 20 feet; however, the average is between 10-16 feet (3-4.9 meters) in length. Females tend to be the larger of the two sexes.
Native Habitat
Burmese pythons are found in parts of southern China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and parts of Indonesia. Burmese pythons live in rainforests and are often associated with water or wetlands, although they survive in a variety of habitats, such as grasslands, swamps, marshes and rocky foothills.
Lifespan
Burmese pythons typically live about 20-25 years in human care. The lifespan in the wild is unknown.
Food/Eating Habits
Burmese pythons prey upon mammals, birds and reptiles of appropriate size. The presence of domestic fowl and pigs attracts them to agricultural developments.
In the wild, snakes typically do not eat every day. Burmese pythons spend their mornings soaking up the sun's warmth, enabling them to move around to look for food. If they are successful in their hunt for prey and lucky enough to eat, they spend the next several days or weeks keeping warm enough to digest their meal. They swallow prey whole.
Reproduction and Development
Burmese pythons reach sexual maturity in four to five years. Males breed at 7 to 9 feet (2.1 to 2.7 meters) and females when they are at least 9 feet (2.7 m).
The Burmese python breeds in early spring. The average clutch is between 30-60 eggs, although they may lay as many as 100 eggs. Unlike most snakes, the female coils around the clutch and stays with the eggs until they hatch. She does not feed during this period, which may last two or more months. Burmese pythons actually “incubate” their eggs by twitching their muscles, raising the temperature within the coils by several degrees above the air temperature. Once the babies hatch, they are on their own and must fend for themselves. They hatch at about 12 to 18 inches (31 to 46 cm) in length.
Conservation Efforts
Burmese pythons are widespread throughout their native range, but their numbers are diminishing. When encountered in the bush, they are often killed for their skin, meat or the simple fact that they are snakes. Hundreds of thousands are killed for their skins, which are made into shoes, belts and other goods. Snakes are essential as rodent controllers and without them, many crops are destroyed by mice infestations.
In contrast to their dwindling native Asian populations, Burmese pythons have become invasive in parts of southern Florida, where they threaten native wildlife and ecosystems.
Help this Species
Be a smart consumer! Avoid animal-skin products, even those marked “faux,” to ensure you’re not contributing to the illegal hunting of this species.
If you see a snake in the wild, leave it alone and encourage others to do the same. Don’t assume it is a venomous species, and don’t attack it if it doesn’t pose a threat to your safety. Tell your friends and family about the eco-services that snakes provide, such as keeping rodent populations in check.
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (n.d.). Burmese python. Retrieved July 5, 2026, from https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/burmese-python
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