The Burmese Python (about 4 m) when first encountered by KFBG staff.

On the 24th of April, the Fauna Conservation Department received an excited walkie-talkie message from a member of the Flora Team that a Barking Deer had been captured by a large python on the hillside. When the Fauna staff arrived at the scene, the python was just moving away from the recently constricted deer and returning to the forest.

The snake was confirmed to be a Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus), a native species, and the largest natural predator in Hong Kong. Small spurs on either side of the base of the tail suggested that it was a female. Although she was approximately 4 m in length, she was clearly quite thin and the barking deer was probably her first capture of a big meal following her winter sleep. The deer may have rolled down to the roadside terrace after the snake seized and held onto one of his hind legs. The Fauna staff decided to leave the dead barking deer undisturbed on the terrace in case the python decided to return to consume the prey.

The Burmese Python after it had swallowed the young male barking deer (extended belly can be clearly seen in the photo).

Rather unexpectedly, the python did return that night and finished eating her meal. The next morning, the Security Team discovered her with a grossly enlarged belly lying close to the location where she had been seen the previous day. We realized that she would probably take a month to fully digest the deer, and during that time she would be vulnerable to wild dogs and human disturbance. We set up a regular inspection of the area with staff taking turns to visit and make sure that she remained undisturbed. The snake stayed in the bushes to digest, apparently feeling safe and unthreatened with our protection. On 5th May, 11 days after she was first discovered, she was found to have moved away probably back into the forest digest, apparently feeling safe and unthreatened with our protection. On 5th May, 11 days after she was first discovered, she was found to have moved away probably back into the forest.

Burmese Pythons in Hong Kong

Burmese Pythons are widely distributed in Hong Kong, however, sightings of this species are quite rare. Pythons are not easy to observe as they are well camouflaged and are generally active at night. At KFBG, wild sightings of Burmese Pythons are fairly regular but large individuals are not commonly seen. From our records of the last two years, Burmese Pythons appear to be most active from April to August.

Top Predators

Burmese Pythons have a large head and a heavy body covered with attractive scales. Individuals of this species may grow to more than 6 m. They are carnivorous and are considered to be top predators in the local food chain, feeding on rats, wild boar, barking deer and civets. Pythons are non-venomous and they kill their prey by constriction.

What to do if you encounter a python

KFBG is a wild area, you may encounter wild animals at anytime. If you encounter snakes, stay calm and walk away slowly, to give the snake space and time to move away. Try to remember the size, colour, markings and head shape, in case of a bite. Most snakes are afraid of you, so do not try to catch or injure them.

The Python Trade

Reptile skins, such as crocodiles and snakes are used to manufacture leather products, including the belt made from Burmese Python skin in the photo.

Asian snakes are traded for food, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and their attractive skins. They also enter the pet trade and are used in making expensive luxury leather goods. The trade in pythons can be divided into live animals and food. According to TRAFFIC, an international animal trade monitoring network, more than 350,000 skins and leather products of the Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) were imported into the European Union (EU) in 2005. Between 2000 and 2006, 16,526 live Burmese Pythons were imported into the EU (Engler, M. and Parry-Jones, R., 2007). The trade routes are very complicated and it is not easy to trace the origin of pythons in most cases as they are transited between several countries. Both legal and illegal trades exist worldwide.

Burmese Pythons are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and, are Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In Hong Kong, Burmese Pythons are widespread and are the only protected snake species under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (CAP. 170).

If you discover any illegal wildlife trade or trapping activities, please report to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at (852) 2150 6978 or KFBG at (852) 2483 7136 / (852) 6713 9881.

References
Engler, M. and Parry-Jones, R. (2007). Opportunity or threat: The role of the European Union in global wildlife trade. TRAFFIC Europe, Brussels, Belgium.