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What the sources say

Burmese PythonPython bivittatus

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Burmese Python profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 40 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Burmese python. Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

The page saysA giant constrictor with stretchy jaws
The source saysTheir jaw bones are connected by tissue that can separate and expand their jaws allowing them to eat an animal several times as wide as their heads.Note: tagline; jaws
The page saysJaws that stretch to swallow prey several times as wide as its head
The source saysTheir jaw bones are connected by tissue that can separate and expand their jaws allowing them to eat an animal several times as wide as their heads.Note: stats.superpower
The page saysIts jaw bones are connected by tissue that can separate and expand the jaws, allowing it to eat an animal several times as wide as its head.
The source saysTheir jaw bones are connected by tissue that can separate and expand their jaws allowing them to eat an animal several times as wide as their heads.Note: blockquote; 'so' = the quote's 'allowing'
The page saysRainforests, grasslands, swamps and marshes of Southeast Asia and southern China, often near water
The source saysBurmese pythons live in rainforests and are often associated with water or wetlands, although they survive in a variety of habitats, such as grasslands, swamps, marshes and rocky foothills.Note: stats.habitat
The page saysMammals, birds and reptiles, swallowed whole
The source saysBurmese pythons prey upon mammals, birds and reptiles of appropriate size.Note: stats.diet
The page saysMammals, birds and reptiles, swallowed whole
The source saysThey swallow prey whole.Note: stats.diet
The page saysIt eats mammals, birds and reptiles, and it swallows them whole.
The source saysBurmese pythons prey upon mammals, birds and reptiles of appropriate size.Note: body
The page saysIt eats mammals, birds and reptiles, and it swallows them whole.
The source saysThey swallow prey whole.Note: body
The page saysPythons have no fangs. They have many back-curving teeth that grab and hold prey and do not allow escape.
The source saysPythons are constrictors, so they don't have fangs. However, they do have many back-curving teeth that grab and hold the prey and don't allow escape.Note: body
The page saysThe Burmese python, Python bivittatus, is a constrictor, a snake that grabs prey and squeezes.
The source saysPythons are constrictors, so they don't have fangs.Note: constrictor; 'grabs and squeezes' is the definition given in the prose
The page saysSnakes usually have only one lung, but the Burmese python has two. The second is vestigial: it is considerably smaller and not fully functional.
The source saysSnakes usually have only one lung, but the Burmese python has two, one of which is a vestigial lung that is considerably smaller than the other and is not fully functional.
The page saysIt has no eyelids either. A thin, clear scale covers each eye and is shed along with the rest of the skin.
The source saysThey do not have eyelids. Instead, they have a thin, clear scale protecting their eyes that is regularly shed along with the rest of the snake’s skin.
The page saysThis is one of the six largest snakes in the world.
The source saysThe Burmese python is one of the six largest snakes in the world.
The page saysLengths over 15 feet (4.6 meters) are common, and the average is 10 to 16 feet (3 to 4.9 meters).
The source saysLengths of over 15 feet (4.6 meters) are common, and unverified sources claim the species can exceed 20 feet; however, the average is between 10-16 feet (3-4.9 meters) in length.Note: the unverified 20 ft claim is left out; USGS gives 20 ft
The page saysIn human care these pythons live about 20 to 25 years.
The source saysBurmese pythons typically live about 20-25 years in human care.Note: Smithsonian page retrieved 2026-10-11
The page saysThe home range covers parts of southern China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and parts of Indonesia.
The source saysBurmese pythons are found in parts of southern China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and parts of Indonesia.
The page saysThey live in rainforests and are often found near water or wetlands, though they also survive in grasslands, swamps, marshes and rocky foothills.
The source saysBurmese pythons live in rainforests and are often associated with water or wetlands, although they survive in a variety of habitats, such as grasslands, swamps, marshes and rocky foothills.
The page saysThey were once counted as a subspecies of the Indian python. Most authorities now call them a separate species.
The source saysOnce considered a subspecies of the Indian python ( Python molurus ), they are now recognized by most authorities as a distinct species.Note: scope: every figure here comes from a source naming P. bivittatus
The page saysIt once was. The National Zoo says it was classed as a subspecies of the Indian python, Python molurus, but most authorities now recognize it as a distinct species.
The source saysOnce considered a subspecies of the Indian python ( Python molurus ), they are now recognized by most authorities as a distinct species.Note: faq 4
The page saysShe coils around her eggs and stays with them until they hatch, and she does not feed while she waits, which may take two or more months.
The source saysUnlike most snakes, the female coils around the clutch and stays with the eggs until they hatch. She does not feed during this period, which may last two or more months.
The page saysThe average clutch is 30 to 60 eggs.
The source saysThe average clutch is between 30-60 eggs, although they may lay as many as 100 eggs.
The page saysShe twitches her muscles to raise the temperature inside her coils by several degrees above the air.
The source saysBurmese pythons actually “incubate” their eggs by twitching their muscles, raising the temperature within the coils by several degrees above the air temperature.
The page saysThe National Zoo says its numbers are diminishing and that it is often killed for its skin or meat.
The source saysBurmese pythons are widespread throughout their native range, but their numbers are diminishing. When encountered in the bush, they are often killed for their skin, meat or the simple fact that they are snakes.
The page saysNo. As a constrictor it has no fangs, the National Zoo says. Instead, many backward-curving teeth hook into prey and stop it from getting away.
The source saysPythons are constrictors, so they don't have fangs. However, they do have many back-curving teeth that grab and hold the prey and don't allow escape.Note: faq 2
The page saystwitches her muscles to raise the temperature inside her coils by several degrees above the air
The source saysBurmese pythons actually “incubate” their eggs by twitching their muscles, raising the temperature within the coils by several degrees above the air temperature.Note: vibe.reason

Source
02

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database

Python bivittatus Kuhl, 1820: Burmese Python. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.

The page saysThe U.S. Geological Survey says the species can grow to 20 feet and weigh more than 250 pounds, with females larger than males.
The source saysSize: Can grow to 20 feet and weigh more than 250 pounds, with females being larger than males.Note: body
The page saysUp to 20 feet long and over 250 pounds, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Females are the larger sex.
The source saysSize: Can grow to 20 feet and weigh more than 250 pounds, with females being larger than males.Note: faq 1

Source
03

Everglades National Park, National Park Service

Burmese Python. Everglades National Park, National Park Service.

The page saysThe National Park Service says the snakes are established in Everglades National Park due to accidental or intentional release of captive pets.
The source saysBurmese pythons are established in the park due to accidental or intentional release of captive pet animals.Note: body
The page saysFrom people's pets. Everglades National Park traces its pythons to captive pets that were released, by accident or on purpose.
The source saysBurmese pythons are established in the park due to accidental or intentional release of captive pet animals.Note: faq 3

Source
04

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Python Information. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The page saysinvasive in south Florida
The source saysThe Burmese python is a large nonvenomous constrictor that is an invasive species in Florida.Note: stats.habitat; FWC: found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida
The page saysIn Florida, the Burmese python is an invasive species, an animal living where it does not belong.
The source saysThe Burmese python is a large nonvenomous constrictor that is an invasive species in Florida.Note: body

Source
05

Dorcas et al. 2012

Dorcas et al. (2012). Severe mammal declines coincide with proliferation of invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The page saysa 99.3 percent drop in raccoon sightings
The source saysa 99.3% decrease in the frequency of raccoon observationsNote: tagline; 'linked' = coincide temporally and spatially
The page saysPythons have increased dramatically since 2000.
The source saysPythons have increased dramatically in both abundance and geographic range since 2000
The page saysRoad surveys in the park totaling 56,971 kilometers from 2003 to 2011 found a 99.3 percent drop in raccoon sightings, plus drops of 98.9 percent for opossums and 87.5 percent for bobcats. The surveys failed to detect rabbits.
The source saysroad surveys totaling 56,971 km from 2003-2011 documented a 99.3% decrease in the frequency of raccoon observations, decreases of 98.9% and 87.5% for opossum and bobcat observations, respectively, and failed to detect rabbits.Note: 'in the park' = the abstract's 'nocturnal road surveys within ENP'

Source
06

McCleery et al. 2015

McCleery et al. (2015). Marsh rabbit mortalities tie pythons to the precipitous decline of mammals in the Everglades. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

The page saysA later experiment moved marsh rabbits into the park. Pythons accounted for 77 percent of the rabbit deaths within 11 months.
The source sayspythons accounted for 77% of rabbit mortalities within 11 months of their translocation to ENPNote: marsh rabbits translocated to ENP

Source
07

Reed & Rodda 2009

Reed & Rodda (2009). Giant Constrictors: Biological and Management Profiles and an Establishment Risk Assessment for Nine Large Species of Pythons, Anacondas, and the Boa Constrictor. Open-File Report.

The page saysdangerLevel: Deadly
The source saysUnprovoked attacks on humans are largely limited to Reticulated Pythons, and only the larger Burmese/Indian and Northern/Southern African pythons have killed adult humans.Note: stats.dangerLevel; capability reading (#1273). USGS NAS: wild attacks on people are rare
The page saysdangerLevel: Deadly
The source saysAlthough Burmese Pythons are the nonvenomous snake species most often associated with human fatalities, these generally involve interactions initiated by the pet ownerNote: stats.dangerLevel; deaths are mostly captive snakes

Source
08

Smith et al. 2021

Smith et al. (2021). Native Burmese pythons exhibit site fidelity and preference for aquatic habitats in an agricultural mosaic. Scientific Reports.

The page saystags: ambush-predator
The source saysBurmese pythons are ambush predatorsNote: tags; same paragraph: extended periods of the snake remaining stationary

Source
09

Stuart et al. 2012

Stuart et al. (2012). Python bivittatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T193451A151341916.

The page saysVulnerable
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Vulnerable (VU).Note: stats.conservationStatus; GBIF copy of the Red List, taxon 193451; assessed 2011 (the DOI carries the 2012 edition)
The page saysThe IUCN Red List rates it Vulnerable.
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Vulnerable (VU).Note: body

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.