Vertebrate fauna of
 Southeast Asia

  

 

   
Home  
——————————  
SE Asia fauna ...  
   
Primates
 Carnivorans
 Large Mammals
 Small Mammals
 Mammal calls
 Bats
—————
Birds
—————
 Snakes
 Lizards & Crocodilians
 Turtles
—————
 Amphibians
 Tadpoles
 Frog calls
—————
Freshwater Fishes
 Marine & Brackish Fishes
—————
Species Lists
 





 


 
——————————  
New Guinea herptiles ...  
Snakes   Lizards   Frogs  
——————————  
SE Asia Vert Records (SEAVR) archives ...  
  Indochina Records
  Indonesia & PNG Records
Philippines Records
 
——————————  
   
  New or updated pages ...
 
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
——————————  
 

Search this site ...

 
 


   

 
  ——————————  
 


Email :


Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless credited to others.
Copyright © Ecology Asia 2025

 
     
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

   
   
 
Burmese Python  -  Python
bivittatus
   
   

Family : PYTHONIDAE
Species : Python bivittatus
Maximum Size : 5-6 metres

Python bivittatus (Burmese Python) is widespread in Southeast Asia. IUCN (Stuart et al 2012, errata version 2019) summarize the range as follows: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China (southern provinces including Hong Kong), northeast India (small isolated populations), Indonesia (Bali, Java, Sumbawa, Sulawesi), Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. 

It was formerly considered a subspecies of Python molurus (Indian Python) but is now widely treated as a separate species. 

A purported zone of overlap of the ranges of the Indian and Burmese pythons in northeast India, Bangladesh, and parts of western Myanmar now appears unsupported in recent publications.

Python bivittatus has been documented from both lowland and montane settings. Its habitats comprise forested areas, including mangrove, and wetlands; it is an excellent swimmer, and can climb well. 

Its diet comprises a range of other vertebrates, particularly mammals. In colder climates this snake may hibernate in the winter.

This large python can reach up to 5-6 metres in total length. Females are broader and heavier than males. Up to 100 eggs may be laid in a single clutch; these are typically concealed under leaf litter, and are protected from predation by the female. 

As a consequence of a poorly regulated pet trade Python bivittatus is now a problematic, invasive species in Florida, U.S.A.


Figs 1 and 2 : Example from Siem Reap, Cambodia, lying concealed beneath a nesting mound of leaf litter. In the foreground are some empty shells of those eggs which have already hatched.

Fig 3 : Juvenile from Siem Reap, Cambodia, showing the typical patterning of the species. 

Fig 4 : Secondary lowland forest and secondary wetlands (man-made moats) surround various ancient temple complexes near Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Such areas, protected for their archeological heritage, can also provide a refuge for Cambodia's threatened wildlife.

Figs 1 to 3 photos thanks to Derek Clark.


References :

Stuart, B., Nguyen, T.Q., Thy, N., Grismer, L., Chan-Ard, T., Iskandar, D., Golynsky, E. & Lau, M.W.N. (2012). Python bivittatus (errata version published in 2019). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T193451A151341916


Links :

- Wildlife Alliance - Bringing back Angkor's wild side

Fig 1
 
©  Derek Clark

Fig 2
 

©  Derek Clark
 

Fig 3
  

©  Derek Clark


Fig 4