Borneo Short-Tailed Python (Normal)

Python breitensteini
Common Names: Borneo Short-Tailed Python, Borneo Python, Borneo Blood Python

Species Overview

• Size: Adults typically measure 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m), with females often being the larger, heavier-bodied sex. Some rare individuals may exceed 7 feet, though they tend to remain shorter and stockier than true Blood Pythons (Python brongersmai).

• Appearance:

  • Normal Borneo Short-Tailed Pythons display a brown, tan, or golden base colour with irregular darker blotches and banding.

  • Patterns vary significantly, with some individuals appearing high-contrast and others more muted.

  • The head is broad and wedge-shaped, with distinct dark markings, while the body is thick and muscular with a short tail.

• Distribution: Endemic to the island of Borneo (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei).

• Habitat: Prefers swamps, marshlands, riverbanks, and humid lowland forests, often in areas with dense ground cover and high moisture.

• Behaviour: Like its relatives, this is a terrestrial ambush predator, feeding on rodents, birds, and small mammals.

Captive Care

• Enclosure: Adults require an enclosure at least 4 ft × 2 ft × 1.5–2 ft, emphasizing floor space. Provide a secure hide, deep moisture-retaining substrate, and a large water bowl for soaking.

• Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a basking spot at 86–88°F (30–31°C) with a cooler side of 78–80°F (25–27°C). Keep humidity at 60–70%, raising to 80% during shedding.

• Diet: Juveniles should be fed hopper rats or equivalent prey every 5–7 days. Adults thrive on medium to large rats every 10–14 days. Feeding should be carefully monitored, as the species is prone to obesity.

• Behaviour in Captivity: Captive-bred Borneos are generally hardy and dependable feeders, though they may be defensive when young or food-driven. With consistent handling and proper care, they usually become steady, predictable captives.

• Special Considerations: This species thrives in naturalistic, humid setups with deep substrate, which promotes burrowing behaviour and helps maintain hydration.

Genetics Note

• The Normal Borneo Short-Tailed Python is the wild-type form.

• While not as morph-heavy as Python brongersmai, there are several selectively bred colour and pattern variations (e.g., Ultra-Brex, Marble, Stripe lines).

• Normals remain genetically important for maintaining strong, diverse bloodlines in breeding projects.

The Borneo Short-Tailed Python is a stocky, impressive python species, valued for its beautiful natural variation and as the foundation of all Borneo morphs.