| Indian python | |
|---|---|
 | |
| NearNagarhole National Park | |
Scientific classification | |
| 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 | |
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TheIndian python (Python molurus) is a largepython species native to tropical and subtropical regions of theIndian subcontinent andSoutheast Asia.[3] It is also known by the common namesblack-tailed python,[4]Indian rock python, andAsian rock python.[5][6] Although smaller than its close relative theBurmese python, it is still among thelargest snakes in the world. It is generally lighter colored than the Burmese python and reaches usually 3 m (9 ft 10 in).[7] Like all pythons, it is nonvenomous.
The rock python's color pattern is whitish or yellowish with the blotched patterns varying from tan to dark brown shades. This varies with terrain and habitat. Specimens from the hill forests ofWestern Ghats andAssam are darker, while those from theDeccan Plateau andEastern Ghats are usually lighter.[8] All pythons are non-venomous.
Thenominate subspecies occurring in India typically grows to 3 m (9 ft 10 in).[7][8] This value is supported by a 1990 study inKeoladeo National Park, where 25% of the python population was 2.7–3.3 m (8 ft 10 in – 10 ft 10 in) long. Two individuals even measured nearly 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in).[9]
Because of confusion with the Burmese python, exaggerations, and stretched skins in the past, the maximum length of this subspecies is difficult to tell. The longest scientifically recorded specimen, collected in Pakistan, was 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) long and weighed 52 kg (114 lb 10 oz). In Pakistan, Indian pythons commonly reach a length of 2.4–3.0 m (7 ft 10 in – 9 ft 10 in).[10]
The Indian python differs from theBurmese python (Python bivittatus) in the following ways:
The Indian python occurs in nearly all of theIndian subcontinent south of theHimalayas, including southernNepal andBhutan,Sri Lanka, southeasternPakistan,Bangladesh, and probably in northernMyanmar.[12] It lives in a wide range of habitats, including grasslands, swamps, marshes, rocky foothills, woodlands, open forest, and river valleys. It needs a reliable source of water.[13] It hides in abandoned mammal burrows, hollow trees, dense water reeds, and mangrove thickets.[8]
Lethargic and slow moving even in their native habitat, they exhibit timidity and rarely try to attack even when attacked. Locomotion is usually with the body moving in a straight line, by "walking on its ribs". They are excellent 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.
Like all snakes, Indian pythons are strict carnivores and feed on mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians indiscriminately, but seem to prefer mammals.[14] Roused to activity on sighting prey, the snake advances with a quivering tail and lunges with an 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 disgorge their meal 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 its jaw bones are not connected. Moreover, prey cannot escape from its mouth because of the arrangement of the teeth (which are reverse saw-like).[citation needed]
In Keoladeo National Park, potential prey of Indian pythons includerhesus macaques,spotted deer,sambar deer,nilgai, Indian cattle (Bos indicus),wild boar,golden jackals,domestic dogs,striped hyenas,jungle cats,small Indian civets,mongooses, black-napped hares (Lepus nigricollis),Indian porcupines,five-striped palm squirrels, field rats, birds, other snakes,Bengal monitors, garden lizards (Calotes versicolor), skinks (Eutropis spp.), geckos (Hemidactylus spp.), andIndian toads.[15]
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Oviparous, up to 100 eggs are laid by a female, which she protects and incubates.[13] Towards this end, they are capable of raising their body temperature above the ambient level through muscular contractions.[16] The hatchlings are 45–60 cm (18–24 in) in length and grow quickly.[13] An artificial incubation method using climate-controlled environmental chambers was developed in India for successfully raising hatchlings from abandoned or unattended eggs.[17]
The Indian python is classified asNear Threatened on theIUCN Red List due to a likely population decline of ~30% over the decade 2010–2020, caused by habitat loss, over-exploitation, and lack of conservation actions.[1]
A genetic study published in 2017 showed that theBurmese pythons in Florida are hybrids withP. molurus.[18]
In the literature, one other subspecies is encountered:P. m. pimburaDeraniyagala, 1945, which is found inSri Lanka.
TheBurmese python (P. bivittatus) was referred to as a subspecies of the Indian python until 2009, when it was elevated to full species status.[19] The namePython molurus bivittatus is found in older literature.
Kaa, a large and old Indian python, is featured as one of Mowgli's mentors inRudyard Kipling's 1894 collectionThe Jungle Book.
