===Introduction to Pythons===

Snakes have existed for more than 65 million years and there is still a lot to learn about these amazing animals. Scientists that study snakes are called herpetologists. Boas and Pythons are closely related to each other and both belong to an ancient family of snakes called the boids. There are 27 known species of pythons and 35 species of boas. All of them are constrictors.

The Reticulated Python is a powerful predator. It is not venomous, but it is so strong that it can overpower and eat large mammals. During the day this handsome snake likes to bask in the tree in the sun.
Here are some different types of pythons.

Reticulated Python (Southeast Asia) 19.6 - 32.7 ft. long
Carpet Python
Royal (or ball) Python
Australian Woma Python
Rock Python (can swallow a antelope)
Green Tree Python

PUSHING PYTHONS
some constrictors such as the Australian woma python, hurt animals that live in borrows. Sometimes, there isn't enough room in a burrow for the snake to coil around its prey. Instead, it pushes the animal against the wall of the burrow until it can no longer breathe.

BABY SNAKES
Although some female snakes stay near their eggs to warn off predators, most leave their eggs after they have laid them. Female Pythons are unusual because they coil themselves around their eggs to protect them and incubate them.

PATTERNED PYTHONS
The reticulated python is the longest snake in the world. It can grow up to 29 ft. long! It is called the reticulated python because it has a net-like, or reticulated, pattern on its skin. Reticulated pythons usually eat small to medium-sized animals, such as monkeys or deer. But occasionally, they attack and kill humans, and have even been known to eat them!

CARPET PYTHONS
Carpet Pythons come from Australia. They live in a wide range of places, from dry deserts to tropical rain forests. They are called Carpet Pythons because of the Striking markings on their skin which look a little like the pattern on an oriental carpet.

GREEN TREE PYTHON
Green Tree Pythons live in rain forests. The adult is a stunning shade of bright green, with an irregular pattern of white and yellow blotches down its back. This pattern looks similar to the pattern light makes when it shines through the trees.
TURNING GREEN?
Surprisingly, when Green Tree Pythons first hatch out of their eggs, they are bright yellow or, much more rarely, red. After about a year, they turn green. Scientists aren't sure why this happens. Will we ever know?

Learn more about this author, Taylor White.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Introduction to pythons?
We want to hear your view. Write now!