Python
Scientific name :Malayopython reticulatus
Family : Pythonidae
Class : Reptilia
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Order : Scaled reptiles
One of the world’s
longest snakes is a python. The reticulated python of
southeast Asia.Pythons long bodies helps the reptiles kill by the way of constriction. They
wrap their bodies around prey and every time the prey exhales, the python
squeezes more tightly. This disrupts the prey’ s respiration and blood flow
inevitably leading to its death. Python have legs called spurs, these two limbs
appear as small bumps on the side of a python’s pelvis. While too small for
locomotive function, the spurs and pelvis are remnants of python’s evolution
from lizards. This evolution occurred
around 100 million years ago. One possible early ancestor of
pythons called the tetrapodophis was a
fusion of lizard and snake- like features
and had hind legs. Interestingly, scientists found that python retained the genetic
mutation for growing limbs. This means python may be capable of fully
functional legs once again. Pythons do not unhinge their jaws when they eat.
Contrary to popular belief, pythons cannot unhinge their jaws. Rather, their
jaws rest on a multi- hinged joint that provides for incredible flexibility and
enable to the snakes to devour larger prey. Flexibility is also aided by
pythons lower night and left jaw bones. Unlike mammals which have one solid
lower jawbone, pythons lower jaw are made of two bones linked by an elastic ligament.
This allows the bones to stretch more widely to help swallow prey at least two to three times wider than
the snake’s head. Pythons skulls can “walk”
over prey. Pythons have six rows of teeth in their skulls. Two in their lower jaws
, two in their upper jaws and two in the roof of their mouth. Through the
phenomenon called cranial kinesis, or pterygoid walk, each of these rows can be moved independently which allows snakes to drag prey
into their throats without the use of front limbs. Python teeth also help this
process. They’re extremely sharp and curve backwards. Perfect for catching and
clinging onto prey. Some pythons have become invasive species. While native to the
tropics of Africa, Asia, and Australia, several python species have been
transported to United States way of pet trafficking. Florida’s Everglades National Park in particular is
home to tens of thousands of invasive
Burmese pythons. Poor care, neglect, and accidents have caused many python
originally taken in as pets to kill native wildlife, other pets and even
children. But when left alone in their natural habitat, pythons are generally
docile. Pythons are some of nature’s
most incredible predators. Their long bodies, constricting capabilities, and
skulls optimize for devouring large prey are enough to strike fear and awe in
anyone’s heart.
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| Photo by Jan Kubita on Unsplash |
Habitat
Rainforests, grasslands, woodlands, swamps, rockey outcrops,
dunes and shrubs.
Length
23 feet ( 701 cm)
Weight
160 kg
Food
Lizards, caiman, monkeys and antelopes. The larger meals the
longer it take digest. This means that a python may only need to eat 4 – 5 times in a year.
Lifespan
15 to 25 years
Incubation period
85 days ( 2 months and 25 days)
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