Dwarf Burmese python

Dwarf Burmese Python
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pythonidae
Genus:	Python
Species:	P. bivittatus
Binomial name
Python bivittatus Kuhl, 1820
Synonyms
Python molurus progschai Kuhl, 1820

The Dwarf Burmese python (Python bivittatus progschai) is island based dwarf sub-species of the Burmese Python (Python bivittatus bivittatus). The Dwarf Burmese is native to the Indonesian islands of Java, Bali, and Sulawesi. The Dwarf sub-species seems to have a maximum length of 8.2 ft (2.5 m). In 2009, the Dwarf Brumese Python was official recognized as sub-species of the Brumese Python.

They are often found in forests, and sometimes near bodies of fresh or brackish water. As this sub-species seems to prefer hiding among old logs, and tree stumps. But like their larger mainland cousins they also seem to enjoy the occasional dip in fresh or brackish water. They do seem to mostly nocturnal, with increased active between the hours of dusk to dawn.

Description

Dwarf Burmese pythons differ in size, appearance and build, compared to their larger mainland oousins. Not only are the Dwarf Burmese shorter in length, but they are also slimmer in over all build. Also the dwarfs tend to lighter in coloration, with better defined markings, when compared with the coloration and markings of a normal mainland Burmese Python.

While the largest Dwarf Burmese Python is recorded at being at 8.2 ft (2.5 m), The average for females of this sub-species seems to be about 5.5–6 ft (1.7–1.8 m). The average for adult male Dwarfs seems to be about 4–4.5 ft (1.2–1.4 m).

Distribution and habitat

Natural distribution of the Burmese python (green)

Dwarf Burmese pythons are found throughout the Indonesian islands of Java, Ball, and southwestern Sulawesi. They can be found in grasslands, forested woodlands, jungles, marshes, swamps, & river valleys. They are very good climbers with prehensile tails. And like their larger cousins, they are excellent swimmers and needing a permanent source of water.

Behavior

Dwarf Burmese pythons are mainly nocturnal, forest dwellers, much like their larger mainland cousins. When young, they are equally at home on the ground and in trees, but as they gain girth, they tend to restrict most of their movements to the ground. They are also excellent swimmers, being able to stay submerged for up to half an hour. Burmese pythons spend the majority of their time hidden in the underbrush.

Dwarf Burmese Pythons breed in the mid spring, with females laying clutches of 8-14 eggs in April or May. The females remain with the eggs until they hatch, wrapping around them and twitching their muscles in such a way as to raise the ambient temperature around the eggs by several degrees. Once the hatchlings use their egg tooth to cut their way out of their eggs, no further maternal care is given.

Diet

Like all snakes, the Dwarf Burmese python is carnivorous. Its diet consists primarily of appropriately sized birds and mammals. The snake uses its sharp rearward-pointing teeth to seize its prey, then wraps its body around the prey, at the same time contracting its muscles, killing the prey by constriction. It is main natural prey seems to be rats, mice, and other rodents. Because it's smaller size, in captivity the Dwarf Burmese rarely feed on rabbits or other larger mammals. Although they can still eat chickens or small poultry.

Captivity

Dwarf Burmese pythons have been kept and bred in captivity since 2003. While they not nearly as common or popular as their larger mainland cousins. They still can be sold as pets. However Dwarfs tend to have the reputation of having a nasty disposition (hissing & striking). This is mainly caused by wild caught adults. Captive born and bred juveniles, tend be more similar to normal mainland Burmese is their temperament and disposition. CBB Dwarfs tend to have a fairly docile, but curious personality. While dwarfs do not grow as their larger, mainland cousins. They still reach full sexual maturity in less than 3 years.

While there are no known morphs linked to the Dwarf Burmese Pythons. Hybrids between the Dwarf and Nominal forms doe exist - often called Half Dwarfs. These hybrids are often slightly larger than the Dwarf Burmese Pythons. The hybrids also can produce various morphs starting in the 2nd generation.