The Burmese Python is among the largest snakes in the world with individuals growing to a length of 20ft in India and approaching 30ft in south-east Asia. A non-venomous snake, it is harmless to humans. Being a constrictor, it lies in ambush for its prey, often hidden in the leaf litter of the forest floor, and once within striking distance, the prey is taken into the coils at a lightning speed. The snake keeps tightening its coils around the body of the prey animal, causing it to suffocate. The tight coils ensure that skeleton of the dead prey is crushed for the snake to easily swallow it. The jaw bones of the python can unhinge and the snake can open its mouth as wide as possible to swallow creatures as big as spotted deer.
This beautiful Burmese Python was spotted at one of the waterholes at Jim’s Jungle Retreat by our Chief Naturalist Manoj Sharma. It was evident from its swollen belly that it had recently eaten something, probably a monkey or a langur, animals that that are available in abundance around the Retreat.