Borneo short-tailed python (Python breitensteini)

Short answers

Borneo short-tailed python: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 150×80×115 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, up to 2.5 m).

Borneo short-tailed python: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 32–33 °C, at night 23–25 °C.

Borneo short-tailed python: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not essential, weak UVB is possible.

Borneo short-tailed python: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–25 years.

Borneo short-tailed python: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

23–25 °C

Basking spot

32–33 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Not essential, weak UVB is possible

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 150×80×115 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, up to 2.5 m)

Substrate

Damp coco humus or bark mulch, a large water basin, stable hides

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed rats

Feeding interval

adults every 14–21 days, juveniles weekly

Key facts

Adult size

120–150 cm, very bulky

Life expectancy

20–25 years

Origin

Borneo – swamp and rainforest floors

Protection status

Protected: CITES Appendix II, EU Annex B - proof of origin required at purchase and resale.

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

A ground-dwelling, heavy python. Calm, but quickly defensive when disturbed. It needs consistently high humidity, otherwise shedding problems; at the same time good ventilation against mould.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Borneo short-tailed python (Python breitensteini) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 150×80×115 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, up to 2.5 m)), substrate (Damp coco humus or bark mulch, a large water basin, stable hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.