We are heartbroken to share the passing of 14-year-old Burmese python Brittany. As said by a member of Brittany’s animal care team, Kaitlyn, we have a Brittany-sized (approximately 15-foot) hole in our hearts.

We know Brittany left an incredible impact beyond our Zoo. Snakes tend to elicit all sorts of feelings from people, from curiosity to fear. Brittany the Burmese python made it easy to talk to guests about her and her species, however, said Herps & Aquatics Area Supervisor Jenna.

“Guests who may have been fearful about snakes got to see her and learn all about what makes her special and usually walked away with a little less fear,” Jenna said.

Brittany came to our Zoo still affected by a previous injury to her spine and ribs. As she aged, this past injury site began developing arthritis. To help keep her comfortable over the years, Brittany received pain medication, electroacupuncture sessions and cold laser therapy. Her animal care team at our Zoo also renovated her habitat to better suit her needs, even opting for a lower pool so she could enjoy the water without having to scale a tall tub.

Unfortunately, the 14-year-old python stopped responding to her treatments and began showing increasing signs of discomfort. We made the difficult and compassionate decision to euthanize her to prevent her from future suffering.

“It was truly an honor to be able to work with such an amazing animal and she will be missed so much,” said Herps & Aquatics keeper Kaylee.

Brittany had a close relationship with her Herps & Aquatics animal care team.

“Brittany was the greatest python in the world, and no one will convince me otherwise,” said Curator of Animals Nicole.

When keepers would enter her habitat, she would often pick her head up to look at them, send a few tongue flicks, and even sometimes approach them calmly, Nicole shared.

“She had the most charismatic tail; it would twitch and flick like a cat’s tail when she was curious, and she would curl the end of it around your hand and just hold ‘hands’ with each of her keepers. It was so special,” Nicole said.

Smart, curious Brittany quickly learned that a keeper approaching from a certain direction meant she was about to be fed (one path is wider for them to bring the food warming cart). She showed interest in all types of interesting enrichment from her animal care team like baby sensory videos, leaf blowers or new textures. Brittany loved to be around keepers and investigate what they were doing.

“I loved watching her curiosity when new and novel enrichment was introduced,” said Herps & Aquatics keeper Carmen. “Thank you for trusting me, Brittany. I will carry those soft tail holds and her calm presence in my heart forever.”