Characteristics:
A very large, harmless snake belonging to the Pythonidae family, reaching up to 8 meters in length (average size is 4-6 meters). It has a long, small head. Each of the two upper labial scales has a pit (labial pits are heat-sensing organs). There are two small, claw-shaped spurs located on either side of the cloacal vent. The female’s spurs are short and hidden deep within the vent’s recesses. The head is grayish-brown, with a lance-shaped pattern on the top that extends from the neck, with the point of the lance facing towards the snout. The back is light gray or yellowish-gray, with a series of large, long, reddish-brown markings bordered by black. The belly is yellow or yellowish-brown with brown or black spots.
Biology and Ecology:
Commonly found in open forests, savannas, shrublands, or along the edges of old-growth forests, in low hills with dry, dense undergrowth. They prefer to live near water bodies and swamps. They can climb trees and like to coil themselves around branches that overhang the water surface. In the Mekong Delta, they favor swamps, Melaleuca forests, and mangrove forests, sometimes even venturing into areas with orchards. In northern Vietnam, during winter, the snakes hibernate, 2 to 4 individuals, in natural burrows to avoid the cold. They primarily hunt at night, with peak activity around dusk. They enjoy immersing themselves in water during hot weather. The snakes consume small mammals (mainly rodents, sometimes even small deer), birds, and amphibians and reptiles. They reproduce annually. In the Minh Hai region, mating occurs from October to January of the following year (the mating season is known as “trăn hội”). In the North, it occurs primarily from November to January. Before mating, during the trăn hội season, 3-5 males often seek out a female. Ultimately, only one male mates, while the other males entangle themselves into a large ball. The gestation period is about two to three months and six days, with clutches ranging from 15 to 60 eggs. The mother incubates the eggs by coiling around the nest. After about two months (56-85 days), the eggs hatch. Newborn snakes are about 52-61 cm long and weigh approximately 80-140g. The first shedding occurs approximately 7-10 days after hatching.
Distribution:
In Vietnam: Distributed throughout most of the midland and mountainous provinces of Vietnam, including the Melaleuca and mangrove forests of the Mekong Delta.
Globally: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, southern China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Hainan, and Hong Kong), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Value:
It is a beautiful reptile with scientific and aesthetic value, kept in many parks and zoos for display and environmental education for students.
Status:
Populations have declined by at least 80%, coupled with habitat and habitat quality decline in the past and present, due to environmental exploitation, urbanization, road construction, intensive hunting, and illegal trade. Breeding attempts have been made, but have been unstable. In the wild, the snakes are still heavily hunted.
Ranking:
Critically Endangered (CR) A1c,d
Conservation Measures:
Listed in CITES Appendix II. Included in Decree 32/HĐBT, Group IB. Group of animals strictly prohibited from exploitation and use. There is a need for complete prohibition of hunting and illegal trade. The establishment of collective breeding farms is needed and encouragement of household farming in localities with traditional snake hunting and farming practices.