Burmese Python Commercial Farming Techniques

- We compared the data gathered during ... of commercial pythonfarming to enhance food security in the context of global change. We collected data from two Asian python farms within the natural range of the model species used in this study: one in Uttaradit Province, central Thailand (17 38 N, 100 07 E) and the other in Ho Chi Minh City, in southern Vietnam (1058'N, 10630'E). The farm in Thailand farms both reticulated (Malayopython reticulatus) and Burmese (Python ...

- When processed, around 82% of a pythons live weight was usable, including the high-protein meat for food, skin for leather, and the fat (snake oil) and gall bladder (snake bile) for medicinal purposes. Compared to mammals, pound for pound, reptiles produce far fewer greenhouse gases, and their digestive systems produce almost no water waste and far less solid waste. There are clear economic and adaptability benefits to farmers who raise pythons rather than raising pigs, said co-author Rick Shine, a professor in the School of Natural Sciences.

- Some of the farms even made their own "sausages" from processed waste protein and fed them to their pythons. Sounds delicious! Despite being fed just once a week, the pythons grew up to 46 grams (1.6 ounces) per day. Among the Burmese pythons, 1 gram (0.04 ounces) of python meat could be harvested for every 4.1 grams (0.1 grams) of food consumed, which is much more efficient than other livestock.

- While there is also some concern from conservationists about commercial snake farming learning to the illegal harvesting of endangered and wild snake populations, Natusch has argued that the opposite is true. It may give local communities a financial incentive. We also found some farms outsource baby pythons to local villagers, often retired people who make extra income by feeding them on local rodents and scraps, then selling them back to the farm in a year, said Natusch. Burmese pythons are considered an invasive species in Floridas Everglades, where they are hunted to cull the population.