Among the largest snakes in the world, the Burmese Python’s distribution extends westwards into the Indian Subcontinent in north-east India, Bangladesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and westward along the Himalayan foothills through Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, and till the Shivalik ranges of Uttarakhand. The species is known to grow to a length of over 20 feet in the Indian subcontinent and almost 30 feet in southeast Asia.
Unlike small snakes and other reptiles, the Burmese Python doesn’t hibernate during winter but uses a survival technique called thermal regulation. These large reptiles bask in the sun to raise their body temperature during the day and go down in a burrow in the ground during the night to save on body energy.
On a recent safari to Corbett Tiger Reserve, this Burmese Python was seen basking in the sun on a forest slope by Jim’s Jungle Retreat Naturalist Jeewan Rautela.