Why Python Snakes Burrow

Many species of python exist around the world, including the African burrowing python and the ball python. Python species vary in size and appearance, but they all have the ability to burrow. Their ability to burrow makes them a threat to people, animals and prey that are unaware of their presence. Pythons use their ability to burrow for protection and hunting.

  1. Defense

    • Pythons live in various environments around the world and encounter different predators and threats based on where they live. African burrowing pythons live in arid, dry regions and must avoid local threats such as poisonous creatures like scorpions, other snakes and large prey that eat snakes. To defend itself, a burrowing python burrows into loose sand, dirt and leaves; it also curls into balls and hides its head in the center to protect its face.

    Hunting

    • Pythons are not poisonous; they kill their prey by constricting them. Small mammals, rodents, birds and large insects are food options for pythons, which are willing to eat most living things they can catch. A python burrows, hiding its body, until prey wanders by within striking distance. To hunt, the python will quickly strike at the prey from its burrow, bite its prey to hold it and wrap its body around its prey to squeeze it to death.

    Process

    • Pythons burrow to hide from prey while hunting and also burrow to hide from danger. They burrow using their wedge-shaped, wide heads and wriggling their bodies into loose foliage and dirt, using their noses to burrow themselves deeper. When threatened, a python will raise its tails as a threat, keeping its head burrowed down for protection. Pythons also use the burrows of other creatures such as small rodents after they kill the original owners.

    Captivity

    • Pythons kept in captivity use the bedding in their cages to satisfy their burrowing instincts. Shredded newspaper, aspen, pine and cypress are appropriate types of wood for python bedding. Do not use cedar as it causes respiratory irritation. Pythons kept in captivity burrow for the same reasons as wild pythons: for protection and in order to hunt. Pet will also burrow when they haven't been provided with another hiding place. Pet pythons may also burrow before feeding times due to their hunting instincts.