by Erin Byers

Created on: September 24, 2008

What is thirty-three feet long, hunts by ambush, and is brown and black all over? Do you give up? The answer is a Python reticulatus, commonly known as the reticulated python. It is also considered to be the world's longest snake! The reticulated python is just one of many species of snake belonging to the Pythonidae family. Pythons are non-venomous snakes that kill their prey by constriction. These long, powerful reptiles strike fear in many humans. Although these are animals that should be respected for their strength, they are of little threat to humans.

Where do Pythons Live?
Pythons are found in various habitats, ranging from rainforests to deserts. They are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Many countries in southern and southeastern Asia are also home to many python species: Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, and parts of southern China. Pythons are not native to the United States, although colonies of Burmese Pythons have been found in the Florida Everglades. In this environment, these snakes are considered to be an invasive species. This means that they are threatening native species by competing with them for food and habitat. These non-native pythons more than likely were released by pet owners who no longer could take care of them. Deciding to own ANY type of pet, should be a well thought out decision. Educating oneself about the type of animal is essential!

What are Pythons?
Pythons come in a variety of shapes and colors. Antaresia perthensis (pygmy python or anthill python) is the smallest of the python family, reaching an adult size of no more than 3 feet. Python reticulus (reticulated python) is of course the longest, with a record of 33 feet long. Color patterns vary as well, depending on the snake's natural habitat. For example, the Green Tree Python is usually green since it spends most if it's time in trees. Other pythons are various shades of brown, black, and cream to name a few. Pythons are close relatives to boas; however they differ greatly in two ways. First, boas do not have teeth. Pythons on the other hand, do have teeth. The teeth are located on the premaxilla, a small bone located on the front of the upper jaw. Another major difference is that pythons lay eggs, while boas give birth to live newborns.

What do they eat?
A python's diet is relative to its size. Smaller species eat lizards or small rodents. Larger species eat mammals and sometimes

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