Could python farming be the next big thing in sustainable livestock production?

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Climate Change,Cold,Fasting

A study in Scientific Reports suggests that python farming could be a sustainable and efficient livestock alternative, showing promising growth rates and high production efficiency for commercial use.

By Tarun Sai LomteMay 19 2024Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc. In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers investigated the potential of python farming as a novel form of livestock for commercial use.

Cold-blooded animals are 90% more energy-efficient than endothermic animals. This could have significant implications for production efficiency. Snakes are a conventional source of protein in tropical countries; snake consumption has substantial food, cultural, and medicinal value. With increasing demand for snake meat and related products, production systems have expanded and now include more production models, species, and markets.

Pythons were housed at a stocking density of 15 kg/m2. Wild rodents and waste protein were the most common feed inputs. Pythons were measured over one year to estimate the growth rate. Python eggs were collected from each farm and hatched onsite. Snout-vent length and body mass of pythons were measured in Thailand at hatching, six months, and 12 months.

Related StoriesDiets included 1) pork, 2) rodents, 3) pork and chicken pellets , 4) pork and fish pellets , and 5) pork and fish pellets . Food was offered every five days for one year but even less often for three months during the coldest period. During the intensive trial, the python's length was recorded to assess the impact of fasting. Snakes were considered fasting if they did not consume food for at least 20 days.

In the intensive trial, 61% of Burmese pythons were fasting. The average body mass loss during fasting episodes was 0.16 g/day, corresponding to a 0.004% body mass loss per day. Notably, some pythons gained weight during fasting. There was no significant correlation between the rate of loss/gain of body mass and the fasting duration.

Climate Change Cold Fasting Fish Food Infectious Diseases Protein Snake

 

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