Chapter 2: Pythons—A Model to Study Human Heart Disease? 5
Many of my previous articles for RAPS have featured a host of disparate animals that
are or could be used in medicine or medical research, including leeches, maggots, rats,
spiders, whipworms, Gila monsters and zebrafish. Now, there is new evidence Burmese
pythons should be included on this distinguished list. This snake species may be used
to develop drugs to treat human heart disease.1 In anticipation of this event, it would
be prudent to know more about Burmese pythons, their diet, their unusual digestive
processes, why they were selected as a research tool and their possible therapeutic use.
Description
Burmese pythons (Python molarus bivittatus) are one of the six largest kinds of snakes in
the world. They can weigh up to 200 pounds and can grow to great lengths. The largest
pythons are always female they can grow to be 13–18 feet long, while the smaller males
typically grow to a maximum of 8–17 feet.2
According to one report, the record maximum length is 5.74 meters (18 feet, 10
inches).3 Burmese pythons are dark colored with many brown blotches bordered in black
down the back. The attractiveness of their skin contributes to their popularity with
reptile keepers and the leather industry. They are native to a large number of tropical
and subtropical areas of Southern and Southeast Asia.4 Pythons are constrictors there-
fore, they do not have fangs and are nonvenomous. Their back curving teeth are used
to seize and hold their prey. Pythons have two lungs, one more than most snakes. This
species lacks eyelids, but it does have a thin epidermal membrane covering the eyes to
protect them. Pythons have small heat pits, or holes, in their upper lip that allow them
to detect heat radiating from any animal nearby. They are able to smell with the aid of
the “Jacobson’s organ” in the roof the mouth. They dart their tongues in and out of their
mouths to obtain gases in the air.5 This gas detection method allows the python to catch
its prey in light or dark conditions. Pythons do not have to eat very often and, for this
reason, have proven invaluable in research.
2
Pythons—A Model to Study
Human Heart Disease?
Many of my previous articles for RAPS have featured a host of disparate animals that
are or could be used in medicine or medical research, including leeches, maggots, rats,
spiders, whipworms, Gila monsters and zebrafish. Now, there is new evidence Burmese
pythons should be included on this distinguished list. This snake species may be used
to develop drugs to treat human heart disease.1 In anticipation of this event, it would
be prudent to know more about Burmese pythons, their diet, their unusual digestive
processes, why they were selected as a research tool and their possible therapeutic use.
Description
Burmese pythons (Python molarus bivittatus) are one of the six largest kinds of snakes in
the world. They can weigh up to 200 pounds and can grow to great lengths. The largest
pythons are always female they can grow to be 13–18 feet long, while the smaller males
typically grow to a maximum of 8–17 feet.2
According to one report, the record maximum length is 5.74 meters (18 feet, 10
inches).3 Burmese pythons are dark colored with many brown blotches bordered in black
down the back. The attractiveness of their skin contributes to their popularity with
reptile keepers and the leather industry. They are native to a large number of tropical
and subtropical areas of Southern and Southeast Asia.4 Pythons are constrictors there-
fore, they do not have fangs and are nonvenomous. Their back curving teeth are used
to seize and hold their prey. Pythons have two lungs, one more than most snakes. This
species lacks eyelids, but it does have a thin epidermal membrane covering the eyes to
protect them. Pythons have small heat pits, or holes, in their upper lip that allow them
to detect heat radiating from any animal nearby. They are able to smell with the aid of
the “Jacobson’s organ” in the roof the mouth. They dart their tongues in and out of their
mouths to obtain gases in the air.5 This gas detection method allows the python to catch
its prey in light or dark conditions. Pythons do not have to eat very often and, for this
reason, have proven invaluable in research.
2
Pythons—A Model to Study
Human Heart Disease?