Python molurus

Python molurus is a large nonvenomous python species found in many tropic and subtropic areas of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is known by the common names Indian python,^[2] black-tailed python^[3] and Indian rock python. The species is limited to Southern Asia. It is generally lighter colored than the Burmese python and reaches usually 3 metres (9.8 ft).^[4]

Common names

Indian python,^[2] black-tailed python,^[3] Indian rock python, Asian rock python.^[5][6] Referred to as "Ajgar" in Hindi, "Azdaha" in Urdu and "Ojogor" in Bengali. In Sri Lanka the species is commonly referred to as "Pimbura" in Sinhala. The now stemmed off subspecies Python molorus pimbura probably came to light with this common alias found in Sri Lanka.

Description

The color pattern is whitish or yellowish with the blotched patterns varying from shades of tan to dark 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.^[7]

In Pakistan, Indian Pythons commonly reach a length of 2.4–3 metres (7.9–9.8 ft).^[8] In India, the nominate subspecies grows to 3 metres (9.8 ft) on average ^[4][7] This value is supported by a 1990 study in Keoladeo National Park, where the biggest 25% of the python population was 2.7–3.3 metres (8.9–10.8 ft) long. Only two specimen even measured nearly 3.6 metres (12 ft).^[9] Because of confusion with the Burmese python, exaggerations and stretched skins in the past, the maximum length of this subspecies is hard to tell. The longest scientifically recorded specimen, which hailed from Pakistan, was 4.6 metres (15 ft) in length and weighed 52 kilograms (115 lb).^[8]

Geographic range

The nominate subspecies is found in India, southern Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh and probably in the north of Myanmar.^[10]

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.^[11] Sometimes they can be found in abandoned mammal burrows, hollow trees, dense water reeds and mangrove thickets.^[7]

Behavior

Lethargic and slow moving even in its native habitat, they exhibit timidity and rarely try to attack 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 are carnivore animals and they 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. The python can swallow prey bigger than its diameter because the jaw bones are not connected. Moreover, prey cannot escape from its mouth because of the arrangement of the teeth (which are reverse saw-like).

Reproduction

Oviparous,up to 100 eggs are laid, protected and incubated by the female.^[11] Towards this end, it has been shown that they are capable of raising their body temperature above the ambient level through muscular contractions.^[12] The hatchlings are 45–60 cm (18–24 in) in length and grow quickly.

^[11]

Conservation status

The Indian Python is classified as Lower Risk/Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v2.3, 1996).^[13] This listing indicates that it may become threatened with extinction and is in need of frequent reassessment.^[14]

Taxonomy

In the literature, one other subspecies may be encountered: P. m. pimbura Deraniyagala, 1945, which is found in Sri Lanka.

Gallery

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  Python molurus with colour mutations

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  From San Diego zoo

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  From Dahod(Gujarat),India.photo by pratik jain

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  Labial Pits of P. molurus. Specimen at Ezhimala, Kerala, India.

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  Indian rock python with clearly visible body pattern.

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  P. m. molurus in Keoladeo National Park, India.

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  Head scalation.

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  From Gujarat photo by Pratik Jain

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  From Dahod(Gujarat) photo by Pratik Jai

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  Skeleton.

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  Head

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  P. m. molurus swallowing a Chital deer fawn, Mudumalai National Park

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  P. m. molurus, basking in front of its hole in Keoladeo National Park, India

See also

• List of pythonid species and subspecies.
• Pythonidae by common name.
• Pythonidae by taxonomic synonyms.

References

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Python molurus.

• Python molurus at the Reptarium.cz 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.
• Watch Indian rock python (Python molurus) video clips from the BBC archive on Wildlife Finder