Pythonidae

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Python
Ball python, Python regius
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Reptilia
Subclass:
Lepidosauria
Order:
Squamata
Suborder:
Serpentes
Superfamily:
Henophidia
Family:
Pythonidae
Genera

Aspidites
Antaresia
Apodora
Bothrochilus
Leiopython
Liasis
Morelia
Python

Python is the common name for a group of non-venomous constricting snakes, specifically the family Pythonidae. Other sources consider this group a subfamily of the Boas (Pythoninae). Pythons are more related to boas than to any other snake-family. There is also a genus within Pythonidae which carries the name Python (Daudin, 1803). Pythons are distinguishable from boas in that they have teeth on the premaxilla, a small bone at the very front and center of the upper jaw. Most boas produce live young, while pythons produce eggs. Some species of sandboas (Ericinae) are also called python.


Description

Pythons range in size from 1 to 6 meters (3 to 20 feet) in length. Some pythons are among the longest species of snakes in the world; the Reticulated Python holds the record for longest snake, at 10.32 m (32 ft 9.5 in).[1] However the largest snakes that ever lived are the Paleocene Giganthopis garstini and Madtsoia. Both of these gargantuan snakes could grow to be at least 50 feet long. They vary in color depending on species.

Some species exhibit vestigial bones of the pelvis and rear legs, which are externally apparent in the form of a pair of anal spurs on each side of the cloaca. These spurs are larger in males than females, and are used by the male to grip and/or stimulate the female during copulation. Male pythons of certain sepcies sometimes cause spur related injuries to each other during territorial combat, and though more likely to be incidental than intentional, some captured specimens have shown multiple episodes of scarring from such injuries.

Some pythons display vivid colours and patterns on their scales while others are a nondescript brown or olive. They usually reflect appropriate camouflage for their native habitat. Even within a given species, they may be enormous differences in colouration and pattern between specimens from different parts of their range.

There are periodic reports about record breaking snakes of phenomenal proportions similar to that of a reticulated python found on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia in 2003, and now on display in a Javan village[2] [3]. As with most such claims, this one has subsequently been debunked[4]. The motivation for such grossly exaggerated claims appears to be mainly economic gain, as, particularly when captured alive, such animals tend to become income producing tourist attractions for their keepers.

Behavior

Pythons, like the closely related boas, are constrictors and are all, by definition, non-venomous. Most pythons feed on warm-blooded prey such as birds and mammals, but some are known to eat reptiles (including other snake species), amphibians and fish.

Pythons kill their prey by the process of constriction, whereby they grasp the prey animal in their teeth to restrain it, while quickly wrapping a number of coils around the body of the prey. Then, by applying sufficient pressure to prevent the prey from being able to inhale, they ultimately cause it to succumb to asphyxia. The prey animal might also suffer some restriction to circulation during constriction, particularly where the snake's coils are wrapped around the animal's neck, but this is not usually fatal as death typically occurs much sooner due to asphyxiation.

Pythons do not, as popularly believed, crush or squeeze their prey to death, and when constricting normal sized prey, the snake will almost certainly never apply enough pressure to break bones.

White-lipped Python Leiopython albertisii

Larger pythons will usually eat something about the size of a house cat, but larger food items are not unknown (some large Asian species have been known to take down adult Deer, and the African Rock Python has been documented preying upon Gazelle). Pythons swallow their prey whole, and take several days or even weeks to fully digest it. Despite their intimidating size and muscular power, they are generally not dangerous to humans.

Most pythons have rows of heat-sensing organs along their lower lips (labial pits). These pits enable the python to detect objects that are hotter than the surrounding environment with great accuracy, and enable hunting to take place in total darkness, such as inside caves. Pythons that do not have heat-sensing organs identify their prey by smell. Pythons are ambush predators: they typically stay in a camouflaged position and then suddenly strike at passing prey.

Pythons will not usually attack humans unless startled or provoked, although females protecting their eggs can be aggressive. While a very large adult python could possibly kill a human being, humans are generally well outside the normal size range for prey. Reports of python attacks on humans are extremely rare. Despite this, pythons have been aggressively hunted, driving some species (like the Indian Python) to the brink of extinction.

Reproduction

Pythons lay eggs which they arrange in a pile. They coil around the pile until all eggs have hatched. Since pythons cannot regulate their internal body temperature, they cannot incubate their eggs per se; instead, they raise the temperature of their eggs by small movements of their body—essentially, they "shiver". This is one of only a few documented cases of parental behaviour in snakes. They can live up to 35 years of age.

Most species of python are available in the exotic pet trade.

The larger species such as the Burmese python and Reticulated Python can be dangerous. Owners, especially inexperienced owners, need to exercise caution with these species. Cases of large pet pythons killing their owners have been documented.[5]

The Everglades National Park has had an invasive population of Burmese Pythons since the late 1990's that have caused harm to the natural environment of the Everglades. More than 300 have been removed. The snakes are not native to the south Floridian marshlands. They have been deposited there by pet owners who no longer wish to care for them and also did not want to euthanize them. Scientists believe that the pythons are a grave threat to nearly every species of animal in the Everglades, even alligators. There have been several accounts of python vs. alligator encounters there, including one in the fall of 2005 between a 13 foot (4 m) python and a six foot (1.8 m) gator that proved fatal for both. The two were found with the gator's body protruding from the snakes torn open stomach.[6][7]

http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2005/10/06/mn_gator_python_19y45.jpg

Species

Black-headed Python, Aspidites melanocephalus
Carpet Python, Morelia spilota
Green Tree Python, Morelia viridis
Albino Burmese Python, Python molurus bivittatus
Green Tree Python, Morelia viridis
File:Python breitensteini .jpg
Borneo Short-tailed Python, Python breitensteini

Genus Aspidites

Genus Antaresia

Genus Apodora

Genus Bothrochilus

Genus Leiopython

Genus Liasis

Genus Morelia

Genus Python

References

  1. ^ http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=51013
  2. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3354403.stm
  3. ^ http://www.snopes.com/critters/wild/bigsnake.asp
  4. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1116074,00.html
  5. ^ http://www.anapsid.org/coloburm.html
  6. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/12/18/python.detectives.ap/index.html
  7. ^ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0603_040603_invasivespecies_2.html

Sources

Wikispecies has information related to Pythonidae.
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