Python molurus

species of snake
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Python molurus is a large nonvenomous python species. It is found in many tropic and subtropic areas of South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Python molurus
Near Nagarhole National Park
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species:
P. molurus
Binomial name
Python molurus
Distribution of Indian python
Synonyms
  • [Coluber] Molurus Linnaeus, 1758
  • Boa Ordinata Schneider, 1801
  • Boa Cinerae Schneider, 1801
  • Boa Castanea Schneider, 1801
  • Boa Albicans Schneider, 1801
  • Boa Orbiculata Schneider, 1801
  • Coluber Boaeformis Shaw, 1802
  • Python bora Daudin, 1803
  • Python tigris Daudin, 1803
  • Python tigris castaneus
    - Daudin, 1803
  • Python tigris albanicus [sic]
    - Daudin, 1803
  • Python ordinatus - Daudin, 1803
  • Python Javanicus Kuhl, 1820
  • Python molurus - Gray, 1842
  • Python Jamesonii Gray, 1842
  • Python (Asterophis) tigris
    - Fitzinger, 1843
  • Python molurus - Boulenger, 1893
  • Python molurus [molurus]
    - F. Werner, 1899
  • [Python molurus] var. ocellatus
    F. Werner, 1899
  • [Python molurus] var. intermedia
    F. Werner, 1899
  • Python molurus molurus
    - Stull, 1935
  • Python molurus - M.A. Smith, 1943
  • Python molurus pimbura Deraniyagala, 1945
  • Python molurus molurus
    - Stimson, 1969
  • [Python molurus] var. [molurus]
    - Deuve, 1970
  • Python molurus - Kluge, 1993[1]

It has various 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. It can grow to 3 metres (9.8 ft).[4]

The color pattern is whitish or yellowish with the blotched patterns varying from shades of tan to dark brown. This varies with the terrain and habitat. Specimens from the hill forests of Western Ghats and Assam are darker.[5] Those from the Deccan Plateau and east coast of India are usually lighter.[5]

The longest scientifically recorded specimen, which came from Pakistan, was 4.6 metres (15 ft) in length and weighed 52 kilograms (115 lb).[6]

References

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  1. 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).
  2. "Python molurus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  3. Ditmars RL. 1933. Reptiles of the World. Revised Edition. The MacMillan Company. 329 pp. 89 plates.
  4. Wall F. 1912. A popular treatise on the common Indian snakes – the Indian python. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 21: 447–476.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Rhomulus Whitaker: „Common Indian Snakes – A Field Guide“; The Macmillan Company of India Limited, 1987; pp. 6-9; SBN 33390-198-3
  6. Minton S.A. 1966. A contribution to the herpetology of West Pakistan. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 134 (2): 117–118. [1]

Other websites

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