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Python molurus is a non-venomous python species found in southern Asia. This is the largest snake species found in India. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[2]
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Description
Adults grow to an average length of 4 m and weigh an average of 70 to 129+ pounds. Their relative girth exceeds that of all other snakes. The longest recorded specimen measured 5.85 m (19 ft 2 in) (Cooch-Behar, West Bengal). Their scales are smooth and generally glossy for a snake in good condition. They have a flattened head with large nostrils, directed upwards and situated high on the snout. Their eyes are small and the pupil vertical, with the iris apparently flecked with gold. Pythons have what are commonly called spurs; vestigial or rudimentary limbs situated on either side of the anal vent.
The color pattern is whitish or yellowish with the blotched patterns varying from shades of yellow to light brown. This varies with terrain and habitat. Specimens from the hill forests of Western Ghats and Assam are darker, while those from the Deccan Plateau and East Coast are usually lighter.
Common names
Indian python,[2] black-tailed python,[3] Asiatic rock python, tiger python,[4] Indian rock python. Called "Ajgar" in Hindi.
Geographic range
Found in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, southern Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, southern China, (Sichuan and Yunnan east to Fujian, Hainan, Hong Kong), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Peninsula Malaysia and Indonesia (Java, Sumbawa, Sulawesi). The type locality given is "Indiis."[1]
Habitat
Occurs in a wide range of habitats, including grasslands, swamps, marshes, rocky foothills, woodlands, "open" jungle and river valleys. They depend on a permanent source of water.[5] Sometimes they can be found in abandoned mammal burrows, hollow trees, dense water reeds and mangrove thickets.
Conservation status
These snakes have often been killed for their fine skin and are endangered. They are now partly protected by the Tamil Nadu Government. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the meat is eaten by locals as the fat is purported to have medicinal value.
This species is classified as Lower Risk/Near Threatened (LR/nt) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v2.3, 1994).[4] This means that it has been evaluated, but does not satisfy the criteria for any of the categories Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. However, it is considered Near Threatened (nt), meaning that it does not qualify for Conservation Dependent, but is close to qualifying for Vulnerable. Year assessed: 1996.[6]
Behavior
Lethargic and slow moving even in its native habitat, they exhibit little timidity and rarely try to escape even when attacked. Locomotion is usually rectilinear, with the body moving in a straight line. They are very good swimmers and are quite at home in water. They can be wholly submerged in water for many minutes if necessary, but usually prefer to remain near the bank.
Feeding
These snakes feed on mammals, birds and reptiles indiscriminately, but seem to prefer mammals. Roused to activity on sighting prey, the snake will advance with quivering tail and lunge with open mouth. Live prey is constricted and killed. One or two coils are used to hold it in a tight grip. The prey, unable to breathe, succumbs and is subsequently swallowed head first. After a heavy meal, they are disinclined to move. If forced to, hard parts of the meal may tear through the body. Therefore, if disturbed, some specimens will disgorge their meal in order to escape from potential predators. After a heavy meal, an individual may fast for weeks; the longest recorded duration being 2 years.
Much has been said in movies and books about the danger that this snake poses to man, but so far there have been no authentic cases of a human being eaten by this species.
Reproduction
Oviparous, up to 100 eggs are laid, protected and incubated by the female.[5] Towards this end, it has been shown that they are capable of raising their body temperature above the ambient level through muscular contractions.[7] The hatchlings are 45-60 cm (18-24 in) in length and grow quickly.[5]
Subspecies
| Subspecies[2] | Taxon author[2] | Common name | Geographic range |
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| P. m. bivittatus | Kuhl, 1820 | Burmese python | Type locality: not given. Restricted to "Java" by Mertens (1930). |
| P. m. molurus | (Linnaeus, 1758) | Indian python |
Taxonomy
In the literature, one other subspecies may be encountered: P. m. pimbura (Deraniyagala, 1945), which is found in Sri Lanka.
Gallery
 Head scalation. |
 Skeleton. |
 Skull diagram. |
 Head |
See also
- List of pythonid species and subspecies.
- Pythonidae by common name.
- Pythonidae by taxonomic synonyms.
References
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b c d e Python molurus (TSN 202187). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 13 September 2007.
- ^ a b Ditmars RL. 1933. Reptiles of the World. Revised Edition. The MacMillan Company. 329 pp. 89 plates.
- ^ a b Python molurus at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 13 September 2007.
- ^ a b c Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ^ 1994 Categories & Criteria (version 2.3) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 13 September 2007.
- ^ Victor H. Hutchison, Herndon G. Dowling, and Allen Vinegar 1966 Thermoregulation in a Brooding Female Indian Python, Python molurus bivittatus. Science 151(3711):694 - 695
Further reading
- Whitaker R. (1978). Common Indian Snakes: A Field Guide. Macmillan India Limited.
- Daniel, JC. The Book Of Indian Snakes and Reptiles. Bombay Natural History Society
External links
- Python molurus at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 13 September 2007.
- Indian Python at Ecology Asia. Accessed 13 September 2007.
- Indian python at Animal Pictures Archive. Accessed 13 September 2007.
