Burmese Python
Python bivittatus
Why is it important to report Burmese python sightings?
The Burmese python is not native to Australia and if given the opportunity could populate a wide range of the Australian landscapes, impacting domestic pets, native species and potentially introducing new exotic animal diseases. Burmese pythons can carry a virus called Inclusion Body Disease which can be fatal to native Australian pythons.
The introduction of Burmese pythons into the Everglades National Park has wreaked havoc on the native mammal population resulting in severe biodiversity declines. A scientific study between 1997-2012 revealed staggering drops in raccoon, opossum, and bobcat populations, declines of 99.3%, 98.9%, and 87.5% respectively. Other mammal populations have plummeted to near-extinction levels during this period also (United States Government Science (USGS) 2012).
The extreme impact of Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades highlights the potential ramifications of this species gaining a foothold in Australia. With a history of detrimental effects from established pests like rabbits and foxes, Australia’s native flora and fauna have already suffered significantly. The introduction of a large exotic snake species like the Burmese python would only worsen these existing issues.
Burmese Pythons in Victoria
Burmese pythons are classified as a Prohibited Pest Animal under the Victorian Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. The importation, keeping, breeding, and trading of this species, without appropriate permits, is illegal.
Reporting a Burmese Python sighting
Public reports of the Burmese python are critical to Agriculture Victoria’s efforts to protect Victoria from the risks posed by this species. If you think you have found a Burmese python, report it immediately. Please provide clear photos and descriptions of where and when the animal was sighted. Do not attempt to approach or handle the animal. All reports are responded to as a priority and may result in trapping, surveillance, and the removal of confirmed animal.
How to identify a Burmese Python
Size
The Burmese python is one of the largest snake species in the world growing up to 5 meters long and weighing as much as 90 kilograms. Female Burmese pythons are slightly longer, heavier, and bulkier than males.
Colouring
In the wild Burmese pythons are dark coloured snakes with many brown blotches bordered in black down their back. They have two distinct light brown lines that run horizontally on the head and across the top of each eye. Its amelanistic form is especially popular and is the most widely available morph in the pet trade around the world. This morph is white with patterns in yellow and almost orange.
Distinctive Features
The bold colour patterns of the Burmese python are like those seen on a giraffe and are also likened to a jigsaw puzzle.
Habitat
The Burmese python is an excellent swimmer and needs a permanent source of water nearby. They will happily stay in water for 30 minutes but mostly live on land. It lives in grasslands, swamps, rocky areas, woodlands, valleys, and open jungles.
Behaviour
The Burmese python is one of the largest snake species in the world and sit at the top of the food chain with few predators. They survive on medium to large mammals and birds. They have poor eyesight and use chemical receptors in their tongues and heat sensors along their jaws to hunt for food.
They are non-venomous and subdue their prey by constriction until suffocation occurs. Burmese pythons have very flexible ligaments in their jaws that allow them to swallow all their food whole without chewing.
The Exotic Pet Trade
Burmese pythons are detected and seized from the illegal pet trade in Victoria where they are selectively bred and traded on the black market. Burmese pythons found on the loose in Victoria are escaped or deliberately released animals from the illegal exotic pet trade. The illegal keeping of Burmese pythons poses one of the greatest risks of the species establishing in Victoria. The illegal exotic pet trade can be cruel with animals suffering from starvation, dehydration, and injury during transit.
Animals can be concealed in luggage where they are often bound, bagged, and gagged to prevent unwanted detection during transit.
Authorised and published by Department of Energy, Environment & Climate Action, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. September 2023.
If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print, audio or in another language, please call DEECA on 136 186, email customer.service@agriculture.vic. gov.au or go to www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
Disclaimer
This publication may be of assistance to you, but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
More information
For more information visit the Agriculture Victoria website or call the customer service centre on 136 186.
Authorised and published by Department of Energy, Environment & Climate Action, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. September 2023.
If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print, audio or in another language, please call DEECA on 136 186, email customer.service@agriculture.vic. or visit the Agriculture Victoria website.