Python
| Pythonidae | |
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| Indian python, Python molurus | |
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| Family: | Pythonidae Fitzinger, 1826
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Python is the name given to a number of constricting snakes. Such snakes are not venomous. The family in question is that of the Pythonidae. Some people think it is related to that of the Boa snakes. However, boas produce live young, while pythons lay eggs. Pythons can be found in Australia, Southeast Asia and Africa. Pythons can range from 3 feet long in species like ball pythons to 29 feet in species like reticulated pythons. Longer pythons have been seen, but the reports are not secured. Larger pythons can prey on animals as large as a house cat or a full-grown deer. In Africa, there are pythons that eat gazelles. To catch its prey, the python squeezes it to death, then swallows it whole. Despite their size, pythons are rarely dangerous to humans.
