Python bivittatus Kuhl, 1820

The Burmese python (Python bivittatus Kuhl, 1820) is a dark-colored, non-venomous snake marked with many brown blotches bordered by black running along its back.

Typical Wild Length

In the wild, Burmese pythons typically reach 5 m (16 ft), and no confirmed records exist for specimens longer than 7 m (23 ft).

Sexual Size Dimorphism

This species shows sexual size dimorphism: on average, females are only slightly longer than males, but they are considerably heavier and bulkier than males.

Captive Female Measurements

Captive length-weight comparisons for individual females show the following measurements: a 3.47 m (11 ft 5 in) specimen weighed 29 kg (64 lb), a specimen just over 4 m (13 ft) weighed 36 kg (79 lb), a 4.5 m (15 ft) specimen weighed 40 kg (88 lb), and a 5 m (16 ft) specimen weighed 75 kg (165 lb).

Captive Male Measurements

Comparable measurements for captive male Burmese pythons are: a 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) specimen weighed 12 kg (26 lb), a 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in) specimen weighed 14.5 kg (32 lb), a 3 m (9.8 ft) specimen weighed 7 kg (15 lb), and a 3.05 m (10.0 ft) specimen weighed 18.5 kg (41 lb).

Maximum Verified Length

In general, Burmese pythons over 5 m (16 ft) are rare. The current verified maximum length record for a Burmese python is 5.79 m (19 ft 0 in), for an individual caught 10 July 2023 in South Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve.

Unverified Length Reports

Widely published reports of specimens several feet longer than this record have not been verified.

Heaviest Recorded Individual

At the time of her death around 1999, a captive Burmese python named "Baby" was the heaviest recorded snake in the world, weighing 182.8 kg (403 lb) — far heavier than any wild Burmese python ever measured. Her length was recorded at 5.74 m (18 ft 10 in).

Minimum Adult Size

The minimum adult size for this species is 2.35 m (7 ft 9 in).

Dwarf Population Ranges

Dwarf populations of Burmese pythons live in Java, Bali, and Sulawesi.

Dwarf Population Sizes

Dwarf pythons average 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in length in Bali, and reach a maximum length of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) on Sulawesi.

Average Wild Adult Size

On average, wild adult Burmese pythons are 3.7 m (12 ft) long, and the longest confirmed wild individual reaches 5.79 m (19 ft 0 in).

Native Range

The Burmese python is native to Southern and Southeast Asia. Its native range covers eastern India, southeastern Nepal, western Bhutan, southeastern Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, northern continental Malaysia, and southern China (specifically Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and Yunnan). It is also found in Hong Kong, and in Indonesia on Java, southern Sulawesi, Bali, and Sumbawa. It has additionally been reported in Kinmen.

Swimming Abilities

Burmese pythons are excellent swimmers, require a permanent source of water, and can stay submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, though they spend most of their time on land.

Climbing Abilities

They are also good climbers and have a prehensile tail.

Natural Habitats

Their natural habitats include grasslands, marshes, swamps, rocky foothills, woodlands, river valleys, and jungles with open clearings.