3 species of giant pythons in Vietnam

Pythons have unique patterns, pythons are small in size but are the rarest species, while python has won the champion in size and weight.

Find out about the giant python species in Vietnam

Among more than 300 snake species discovered and published in Vietnam, each species has different ecological and color characteristics to suit the conditions and habitats. Different sizes help species survive in wild environments and are a powerful weapon to help them avoid enemies and seek food.

Over millions of years of survival, the size of snakes grows into giants to fit into the natural habitat. When there is power, it is easier to attack others. This is an essential part of the wild life anywhere on this earth and has created a vivid picture of nature.

1. Python python molurus

Python molurus python has a long, small, gray-brown head.(Photo: Phung My Trung).

This is truly the champion of the size and weight of snakes found in Vietnam . Some individuals found in U Minh National Park reached a length of about 8 m (average size between 4 m and 6 m) and weighed over 120 kg . Python molurus python has a long, small, gray-brown head. The top of the head has a lanceolate pattern that moves from the neck, a pointed tip toward the tip of the muzzle. Two upper lip flakes are on each plate with one hole (lip hole is a heat sensing organ). The upper surface of the back is light gray or light yellow with a long line of large, reddish brown border. The belly surface is yellow or yellowish brown with brown or black spots.

They prefer to live in wetlands, melaleuca forests and flooded parrot forests in the southern delta. Sometimes they even penetrate into areas with gardens in the North in winter, and keep the winter land from 2 to 4 individuals in natural cavities to avoid cold weather .

They mainly go to feed at night, the most at night. They like to soak in the water on hot days. Pythons eat small animals (mostly rodents, sometimes small deer, birds and amphibians, reptiles). They reproduce every year and are classified as a group of animals that prohibit exploitation and use.

2. Python Python brongersmai

The body length of Python brongersmai python reaches 2 m.(Photo: Phung My Trung).

Hornbeam is a large snake . Of the three pythons of the Python species distributed in Vietnam, Python brongersmai is the smallest and the rarest species.

Hornbeam has a narrow distribution area in southern Vietnam and is quite large in some neighboring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.This python species is not only short and fat, but also has many rich colors on each individual such as black, crimson, golden and white with very strange and beautiful patterns.

According to records, in 1970 Campden zoologist discovered Python brongersmai pythons traded in Saigon. By 1977, this species was raised in Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City and Ca Mau. Recently, in 2005, Vietnamese reptile researcher, Dr. Nguyen Quang Truong, and his colleagues also noted that Python brongersmai was traded and raised in some farms in Ho Chi Minh City. However, these discrete data have not yet confirmed that the python species is actually a species with accurate distribution in our country because no one can see and collect samples in Vietnam forest.

This python has a small, triangular head. On each side of the upper edge of the python, the scales are located on two scales near the muzzle. There are two small spines (spurs) on either side of the anal opening. Hornbeam has a pale yellow head, a dark gray streak runs from the muzzle to the end of the cheeks, the upper and lower lips extend to the neck. Gray back, in the middle of the back, there are big bright dots, the end of the body of these spots stretches out and connect together on the flank. The body length of Python brongersmai reaches 2 m.

3. Python reticulatus Python Python

Python reticulatus Python pythons can climb trees and like to curl themselves into tree branches sticking out on the water.(Photo: Phung My Trung).

The unique and beautiful patterns such as the eyes of the hammock make Python reticulatus pythons very difficult to detect when curled up on the vegetation layer, around the big tree in the thin forest, shrubs or along the jungle. Muscular strength helps pythons create a "fast electric " bite with sharp teeth that make it difficult for prey to escape. When the prey was held tight with a strong jaw, the python used its giant body to squeeze it until it stopped breathing. After that, the python will loosen its prey and start enjoying its delicious meal.

The more unique hunting ability of this species is that it can climb trees and like to curl up into the branches that stick out on the water. After that, he will be leisurely lying in wait for the prey to attack.

Python reticulatus is a large sapling in snakes, which can be from 6 m to 7 m long. The python head is small and long, clearly distinguished from the neck. The first four plates of lip flakes, each with a sensory hole (lip hole). The lip hole was also found in the second and third lower lip scales and from the 12th to the 17th or the 18th. At the center of the head was a thin black line from the mouth to the nape and a thin black line was added. from the back of the eye slanted down to the corner of the lips. The python's back is yellow or golden brown with dark gray veins joined together to form meshes. The belly surface and the tail of the python are white or pale yellow with small spots of gray or black brown. Adult females are usually larger than adult males.

Pythons live in thin forests, where there are low hills or shrub savans, especially near water environments.Pythons are good swimmers, work at night and have behavior similar to python soil . They can lay up to 100 eggs a litter. Mother's python has the habit of collecting eggs. Eggs hatch after about two and a half months to three months. Newly hatched babies are about 60 cm to 75 cm long. In farming conditions, they like to dress themselves all day in the water and eat a variety of bait. The python's food is composed of isothermal animals.