Are Pythons Venomous? Sssurprising Facts That You May Not Know

All pythons, including Burmese pythons, kill their prey through constriction instead of using venom.

To begin with, the term python can relate to both the Pythonidae family and the genus Python, which is represented within the Pythonidae family. Pythons are enormous snakes living in the wild for up to and beyond 30 years and these snakes can be over 30 ft (9.1 m) long and weigh 250 lb (113.3 kg)!

So are pythons venomous to humans? No, pythons are not venomous.

Are pythons dangerous? These dangerous snakes hardly interact with humans.

The Pythonidae family contains 41 species of pythons. These snakes could be found throughout Asia, Africa, and Australia and are classified as Old World snakes since these dangerous snakes are not a resident of North or South America.

According to Guinness World Records, a reticulated python named Medusa, from Kansas City is the world's biggest snake ever in captivity, measuring more than 25 ft (7.6 m) long. These supersize nonvenomous constrictors dwell in a variety of environments, based on the variety, but typically take residence in trees and may use their tails to hang onto different branches.

So the next time you are in Australia and decide to go on a hike through the beautiful forest, you know what to look out for! However, can these snakes be considered venomous?

Let’s find out by reading the remaining article about this snake! After you are done reading about the various closely related python snake types, you will also want to know are raccoons nocturnal and are wolf spiders venomous?

What are the types of python?

Although the Pythonidae family has 41 species, only 11 types of pythons are reported to live in the world today. The three most popular species of pythons are the following.

Burmese python: The Burmese python is amongst the planet’s top five reptile species. The Burmese pythons may be widespread all across South and Southeast Asia.

These snakes dwell near sources of water and are moderately in character; however, these dangerous snakes may also reside atop trees. Because of their prehensile tails, these snakes are superb great swimmers as well as adept climbers.

In contrast to the rough, textured scales of native water snakes, their scales seem smooth. The Burmese python averages 12.1 ft (3.6 m) in length but may reach up to 18.8 ft (5.7 m) in length.

Human-introduced Burmese pythons in the Americas have resulted in the formation of unwanted colonies of this snake in areas such as the Everglades. These snakes are carnivores and nocturnal creatures by nature, feeding on animals and different kinds of birds as well as non-native species like black rats.

A female Burmese python could produce 50-100 eggs and coil her body over the egg to generate heat and to protect the nest from predatory animals. The female python might just regulate its temperature by clenching her muscles regularly, which creates heat and aids in the incubation of the eggs.

This period of hatching may extend two to three months for this snake species. Newborn pythons must fend for themselves as soon as these snakes come out of the eggs.

In states like Florida where Burmese pythons are not the native wildlife, these reptiles are classified as an invasive species because of their negative effects on local fauna.

Apart from anti-cruelty laws, this snake species is not safeguarded in Florida. Possession of live caught Burmese pythons for elimination and containment reasons need a permit.

Ball python or Royal python: The ball python, sometimes known as the royal python, is a constrictor native to Sub-Saharan Africa. The snake is widely trafficked to be used in the pet trade due to the relatively low size especially in comparison to other African pythons and comparative docility in temperament.

The snakes survive for a long time, with the longest sample living for almost...(drum rolls)... 47 years! The pythons are known as ball pythons because these snakes roll themselves into a ball when frightened.

These young snakes are also known as royal pythons because they were once used as adornments by African monarchs.

Adults of this species seldom grow to be taller than 6 ft (72 in). Snakes like to dwell in abandoned animal burrows and termite rubble in Africa's savannas, grasslands, and wooded areas.

There is no such thing as an identical ball python. These snakes each have their own lovely and distinct design. Ball pythons typically lay 2-10 eggs at once, with a nest count of six eggs being the most common.

The mama ball python wraps herself over her eggs until these snakes hatch. Incubation could last from 80 - 105 days on average. Hatchlings are the name given to newborn ball pythons.

Strong and healthy hatchlings typically range between 14-17 in (35-40 cm) of length. Baby hatchlings feature vibrant color combinations and markings that gradually fade as they get older. Ball pythons are now readily accessible in hundreds of different color combinations, such as pastel, spider, and pinstripe.

Reticulated python: The Southeast Asian reticulated python is the world's longest reptile and one of the three heaviest snakes. Despite their incredible strength, reticulated pythons seldom bite people.

Such pythons have both the ability to swim in the ocean and populate numerous tiny territories within their area because of their outstanding swimming abilities. Reticulated python samples measuring 21.3 ft (6.5 m) long and weighing up to a range of 165 lb (74.8 kg) on an average have been discovered.

Inside its territory, the reticulated python occurs in woods, grasslands, and forests. These reptiles feed mostly on animals and rarely on birds.

As per research, python reticulatus has a dorsal coloration ranging from light yellowish to brown, with black lines going diagonally from the central area of the eyes to the snout. Additional black lines, reaching from the end of the snout to the base of the skull or neck, may be found on the snake's head.

A repeating arrangement of black Xs producing diamond-like patterns runs down the back of the reticulated python. Horizontal lines with dark spots have been observed in younger pythons.

After depositing eggs, the female python incubates them in a nest for around 90 days until hatching.

To break the outer shell, freshly hatched reticulated pythons utilize a unique attribute called an egg tooth, which is found on the top lip. The hatchlings are about 23.6 in (60 cm) long and weigh about 5 oz (140 gm).

The python sheds its skin promptly after birth. Then it would go into hiding and await prey like rats and tiny birds.

But can you guess what the major predator of the reticulated python is? The major predator is the king cobra, which may be observed in many of the similar areas as the reticulated python.

How strong is a python's venom?

Despite the fact that pythons are non-venomous, a bite from one may necessitate a variety of treatments. It may not only injure you, but it may also let bacteria into your body.

Even if the snake bite is minor, you should seek medical advice. Relatively small bites from this snake may just necessitate cleaning the wound with hot soapy water.

Cover the bitten area with bandages to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. Even though a bite seems mild at first, increasingly serious bites may necessitate rapid medical attention.

If the python was clenched on your flesh for any more than a few seconds, it might bite you severely. They grasp the prey between the jaws which is then killed by constriction.

Pythons bite first and then within a few seconds, they would wrap their strong muscles around a person's body, cutting off blood supply to the brain, restricting airways, and limiting the chest from expanding. A human would die rapidly for any or all of these causes.

And then there is the swallowing. Pythons might just swallow humans because their jawbone is indirectly linked to their skull, enabling it to expand.

In addition, a python's bottom jaw separates, letting it expand even further. Over the period of roughly an hour, the snake would dig its fangs over a person's body until it was entirely within the animal's tummy.

Do all pythons have venom?

Are you wondering if pythons are venomous snakes and hence pose a threat to humans? Or how strong a python's venom is? Well, fret not! As per modern science, Pythons are far from being venomous in any way that would do harm to people. They devour their victim by wringing it gradually to death. 

Let’s first understand how to differentiate between the phrases 'poisonous' and 'venomous'. They are, theoretically, two distinct concepts. Poisonous is defined as something that causes injury when consumed by eating or drinking.

Poisonous mushrooms, as well as numerous home chemicals and pesticides, fall into this group. If you consume them, you will grow sick and may die but a venomous creature is one that causes injury when it bites or stings you, such as a rattlesnake. Pythons do not have deadly or venomous bites.

They do not fit into either of these categories. The species in the Pythonidae family are all non-venomous.

This implies they don't have any venom that may hurt people. They kill their victim using constriction, physically crushing it to death. Hence they are commonly called constrictors!

In contrast, venomous snakes kill their victims by striking and releasing poison through hollow fangs or teeth. Surprisingly, scientists have found that pythons contain the remaining bits of a venom delivery mechanism. They all, presumably, descended from a single ancestral species but pythons are not poisonous.

What to do if a python bites you?

Pythons sometimes bite but these warm-blooded animals seldom attack their owners. Younger pythons may be more likely to bite, but this really is uncommon especially in the case of the owners.

Pythons have inwardly slanted teeth. A bite can be seen as a series of curving tooth marks. When you have to force the python's mouth open to relieve the grip, the pain may become severe.

A python may bite for two reasons. The first one being in defense and the second reason is for killing.

A defensive bite might be a rapid bite that the python swiftly releases. The snake would do this in the jungle to alert a predator. A python will press down and try to constrict the thing it is biting when trapping and eating prey.

Sadly, humans are part of the reticulated python's basic, carnivorous diet, which can grow to be 20-25 ft (6-7.5 m) long. Pythons frequently consume primates such as monkeys, orangutans, and, in rare cases, humans.

Cases have been reported of python attacks like Daniel Brandon, the owner of a python, was killed by an 8 ft (2.4 m) pet python. On August 25, 2018, he died of asphyxiation at his house in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Another case where a baby was attacked by a pet ball python shortly before his child's first birthday, according to an ABC News report from 2012.

A neighbor had a snake and it appears that it slipped from its confinement and made its way into the baby's cot. When the boy's father entered the room, the snake was coiled around his ankle, trying to devour his foot.

So, all wild animals and reptiles are harmless if you maintain a distance from them and allow them to flourish in their own habitat. Python too is a beautiful non-venomous snake that is mother nature’s proud creation but can indeed cause potentially severe damage with their bite and pose a risk as well.

Before you think about getting these snakes as pets, make sure there are no small mammals in your house. For these predators pose a threat to small mammals like rats and rabbits whom many people keep as pets.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are pythons venomous, then why not take a look at are praying mantis dangerous, or python facts.