Family: Pythonidae
Pythonidae is made up of 26 nonvenomous species including some of the largest snakes in the world. They live in southern Asia, Africa, and Australia. The Burmese Python was introduced to the Everglades in the 1990's. Pythonidae are ambush predators and have rearward-pointing teeth to help hold prey during constriction. There are currently 8 genra (plural for genus) of pythons and no subfamilies.
No Information Domesticated Near Threatened Endangered Extinct in the Wild
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
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Black-Headed Python
Aspidites melanocephalus |
One of only two species of Shield Pythons, this python is also known as Ramsay's Python or Sand Python. Native to central Australia, the Woma Python has suffered 50% habitat loss over the last three generations. The Woma Python is nocturnal. If it must move during the day it can lift portions of its body off the ground in a pattern that resembles a bouncing ball. Then it moves so only a portion of its body is touching the ground at any one time.
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White-Lipped Python
Bothrochilus albertisii Also known as D'Albertis' Python or D'Albert's Water Python.
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Scrub Python
Morelia amethistina Also known as an Amethystine Python or , Amethyst Python.
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Centralian Carpet Python
Morelia bredli Also known as a Bredi's Python, Centralian Python, Central Australian Carpet Python, Bredi's Carpet Python, or other variations on that name, this species is native to Australia. It typically grows to around 6 ft, although 9 ft. is not uncommon. These snakes prefer dry rocky environments with trees.
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This is one of 6 subspecies of carpet python. They grow to around 6 ft. These pythons are native to the rain forests in Queensland Australia. They are nocturnal and prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
See also: Carpet Python |
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Diamond Python
Morelia spilota spoilota |
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Within the pet trade industry, these snakes are referred to as Chondro due to their previous classification in the genus Chondropython. Green Tree Pythons range between 4 and 5 ft. They have long tails totaling nearly 15% of their body's length. It uses its tail to wrap around a branch allowing it to strike it's prey from the branch.
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Angolan Python
Python anchietae Also known as a Anchieta's Dwarf Python.
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This snake is one of the world's largest snakes averaging around 13 ft. Some have grown to nearly 19 ft. They are native to Southeast Asia. In 1992 Hurricane Andrew destroyed a python-breeding facility and some zoo enclosures. Since then local Everglades populations of small mammals have fallen dramatically. Their population is threatened due to the leather-trade industry.
See Also: Albinism |
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Also known as a Brongersma' Short-Tailed Python or a Red Short-Tailed Python, this snake is native to the Malayan peninsula including Myanmar, southern Malaysia and southern Thailand. It can grow to 6 ft. long and inhabits swamps and marshes. It is nocturnal. Females will lay a clutch of eggs and coil around them to incubate them. She produces the necessary heat by shivering her body.
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Also known as a Royal Python, this species is native to West-Central Africa. Ball Pythons get their name from their defensive action of curling up into a ball to protect their head. Ball Pythons only grow to around 5 ft. They prey on small rodents and will use burrows or mounds to estivate from the heat. They are also rather docile making them good pets.
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Also known as the Asiatic Reticulated Python, this species is the longest snake (but not the heaviest). They average nearly 20 ft and have grown to nearly 23 ft. Native to Southeast Asia, there are several different colors and patterns - though at this time no subspecies are named. Large enough to kill an adult human, these snakes only feed on large rodents and moderate-sized mammals.
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African Rock Python
Python sebae sebae Native to central and southern Africa, this is the largest snake on the continent and one of the five largest in the world. These snakes cam grow to nearly 20 ft, and the females are known to defend their eggs and sometimes even their young. These snakes are common, although loss of habitat does threaten their numbers.
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Timor Python
Python timoriensis |