Sumatran short-tailed python
| Sumatran short-tailed python | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pythonidae |
| Genus: | Python |
| Species: | P. curtus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Python curtus Schlegel, 1872
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Python breitensteini Steindachner, 1881 | |
Python curtus, commonly known as Sumatran short-tailed python, is a species of the family Pythonidae, a nonvenomous snake native to Southeast Asia.[1] Three species are recognized, including the nominate species described here,[2]
Description
Adults grow to 1.5–1.8 m (4.9–5.9 ft) in length and are heavily built. The tail is extremely short relative to the overall length. The color pattern consists of a beige, tan, or grayish-brown ground color overlaid with blotches that are brick- to blood-red in color.[3]
The three species of short-tailed pythons can be distinguished by small differences in head scalation. In blood pythons (P. brongersmai), the labial scales fill in the entire gap between the bottom of the eye and the lip - in Borneo short-tailed pythons (P. breitensteini) and Sumatran short-tailed pythons (P. curtus), narrow subocular scales occur between the bottom of the eye and the top of the labial scales. P. curtus and P. breitensteini can be distinguished from each other by the frontal and parietal scales on the tops of their heads. In P. curtus, the parietal scales do not join each other, or meet at an extremely sharp angle. In both P. brongersmai and P. breitensteini, the parietal scales join together.
Distribution and habitat
They are found in Southeast Asia in southern Thailand, Malaysia (Peninsular and Sarawak) (including Pinang) and Indonesia (Sumatra, Riau Archipelago, Lingga Islands, Bangka Islands, Mentawai Islands and Kalimantan). According to Stimson (1969), the type locality is Sumatra.[4] They occupy rainforests, in marshes, swamps, and along river banks and streams.[3]
Diet
They feed on a variety of mammals and birds.[3]
Reproduction
Oviparous, females seldom lay more than a dozen large eggs (however, much larger clutches have been reported). The female remains coiled around the eggs during the incubation period, and may shiver to produce heat. However, this action requires energy and the female will only do so if surrounding temperatures drop below 90 °F. The hatchlings emerge after 2.5 to 3.0 months and are about 30 cm (12 in) in length.[3]
Uses
The species is kept as an exotic pet. They are often regarded as unpredictable and aggressive, but captive-bred individuals tend to be more docile than wild-caught specimens.
The blood python has been extensively harvested for leather; an estimated 100 000 individuals are taken for this purpose each year. The commercial trade regards this as a single species. Authors who elevate these island populations to species note that skins are readily distinguished.[5]
Taxonomy
Python curtus was the scientific name proposed by Hermann Schlegel in 1872 for a python with a short tail from Sumatra.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b Inger, R. F.; Iskandar, D.; Lilley, R.; Jenkins, H.; Das, I. (2014). "Python curtus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014. IUCN: e.T192244A2060581. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T192244A2060581.en. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "Python curtus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
- ^ a b c d Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
McD99was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Keogh, J. Scott; Barker, David; Shine, Richard (2001). "Heavily exploited but poorly known: systematics and biogeography of commercially harvested pythons (Python curtus group) in Southeast Asia (abstract)". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 73 (1): 113. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2001.tb01350.x. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Schlegel, H. (1872). "De Pythons". In Witkamp, P. H. (ed.). De Diergaarde van het Koninklijk Zoölogisch Genootschap Natura Artis Magistra te Amsterdam: De Kruipende Dieren. Amsterdam: Van Es. pp. 53–54.
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External links
- Python curtus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 11 September 2007.
- Borneo Blood information