intro:
Pythons are non venomous snakes that kill their prey by constriction. Generally python snakes are found in tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa and Australia. However, in Florida pythons thrive as well. The Burmese python, a popular pet, has been released into the wildlands of Florida, in particular the Everglades National Park.
Even though fatalities from snake constriction are rare, visitors to parks and swamps have to be careful when on their own. A picture illustrating the nature of the Burmese python snake is shown to the right. A 13 foot python snake tried to swallow a 6 foot alligator but ruptured during its venture. Invasive species such as python snakes in have a detrimental effect on the ecosystem as the native species are not prepared to compete for prey with 20 foot long snakes. Currently there are probably more than 1000 python snakes in Everglades National Park posing a danger to both humans and animals in the park.
Preferred diet
The preferred prey of python snakes is animals of all sorts. The larger the python the larger the prey and large pythons are capable of eating big animals such as pigs and deer. When the prey has been asphyxiated it is swallowed in full. It takes the python snake from one to several days to digest the prey. Death of its prey is caused by suffocation – the python simply apply so much pressure on the prey that the prey not able to breathe air.
Even though most pythons have fairly large teeth they only uses them to hold onto something. The teeth of python snakes angle backward to keep hold on prey during constriction. Most prey is swallowed head first. This is also why humans theoretically is a difficult prey. The broad shoulders prevents us from being swallowed. However, this doesn't apply to kids on their own in Everglades National Park.
Habitat
With respect to habitat the python snake is a generalist. They like both wet and dry areas and when both are available it is perfect. Some pythons are capable of swimming and climbing in trees. Being able to swim and or climb in trees increase the range of potential prey. The diversified nature of python snakes akes them a versatile predator.
Adult pythons have few natural enemies simply because of their size and their ability to combat any attack. Smaller pythons have a lot of enemies such as lizards, crocodiles, large birds such as storks and eagles and large predatory animals such as large cats.
Hunting tactics
The preferred method of capturing prey is by ambushing. Python snakes have a forked tongue with sensors that can detect the odor from prey. The sensor organ is called the Jacobsen organ. They also have a set of organs capable of sensing heat from warm blooded animals such as small rodents.
little python (video)
World largest snake/ python on exhibit (video)
Burmese Python caresheet (link)
Ball Python caresheet (link)
