The true pythons are a group of non-venomous constrictors belonging to the genus Python of the family Pythonidae. These snakes are found in Asia and Africa where they occupy a wide variety of habitats. 11 species of pythons are reported to live in the world today. Here, we present these 11 species and their important characteristics.
Python timoriensis is a Southeast Asian python species. These pythons have a fairly long size of over 7 feet but relatively thinner than other pythons within their range. Also known as Timor pythons, these snakes are fast moving and highly defensive in nature. They are known to feed on mammals and birds.
Pythons are a fascinating group of nonvenomous constrictor snakes found in warmer regions of Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas. There are currently 38 known species of pythons, ranging greatly in size, coloration and behavior. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different python species and what makes each one unique.
Children’s Pythons
Children’s pythons, also called pygmy pythons, are a group of small Australian species in the genus Antaresia. They make excellent pets due to their typically docile natures
The children’s python grows 3 to 5 feet long and comes in a variety of color morphs, most commonly red-brown with darker markings They are skilled climbers and eat small mammals, birds and bats
The spotted python is yellow to dark brown with purple-yellow spots. It reaches lengths of 2 to 5 feet and is nocturnal, feeding on small mammals and bats around caves.
At only 1 to 2 feet long, the aptly named pygmy python is the smallest python species It lives in termite mounds and eats small reptiles and mammals
The Stimson’s python has been found in rocky habitats across much of Australia. It can grow over 5 feet long and eats small mammals, birds, lizards and frogs.
Shield-Bearing Pythons
Shield-bearing pythons have symmetrical head scales that resemble shields. There are two species, both native to Australia.
The black-headed python has a black head with grayish-brown body, growing to about 6 feet long. It inhabits arid regions, where it hides under rocks.
The smaller woma python lacks heat-sensing pits. At 4.5 feet long, it lives in Australia’s arid interior and preys on mammals and birds.
Whitelip Pythons
This group contains one species found only on islands off New Guinea.
The Bismarck ringed python grows to 6 feet long. It has brown and black rings as an adult, and an orange body with dark rings as a juvenile. It often enters villages in search of prey.
Water Pythons
As their name suggests, these large pythons are semi-aquatic and found from Australia to Southeast Asia.
The water python of northern Australia and New Guinea can reach 10 feet long. It inhabits moist forests and wetlands, where it ambushes various mammals.
At up to 7 feet long, Macklot’s python lives in New Guinea’s forests and eats mammals, birds and reptiles. It is brown or olive-green with darker blotches.
The olive python is Australia’s second largest snake, growing over 13 feet long. This robust, dark olive-colored species inhabits tropical forests and eats mammals, birds and reptiles.
Carpet & Green Tree Pythons
Several Morelia species are known as carpet and green tree pythons. Most inhabit Australia and nearby islands.
The slender green tree python has distinctive neon green coloring and grows to 6 feet long. It is arboreal and known for launching ambush attacks from the trees.
Centralian pythons average 6 to 8 feet long and vary from yellowish to dark brown. They inhabit many habitat types across Australia’s Northern Territory.
The aptly named rough-scaled python has a rugged, triangular head and honey brown coloring. It grows up to 7 feet long in Australia’s arid interior woodlands.
At 7 feet long, the reddish-brown southwest carpet python is known for making long solo hunting forays across western Australia.
The common carpet python inhabits many habitat types and grows up to 9 feet long. Younger ones eat small prey while adults take mammals and birds.
Miscellaneous Australian Python Species
Several other python species are endemic to Australia.
The rare Oenpelli python inhabits northern Australia’s rocky areas. At 10 feet long, it is Australia’s largest terrestrial python and eats birds attracted to fruiting trees.
The olive-colored papuan olive python of New Guinea can rapidly change colors from green to yellow, possibly for camouflage. It grows to 13 feet long.
Asian Python Species
A number of large python species are native to Asia. Some have spread to other regions as invasive species.
Potentially reaching over 30 feet long, the reticulated python of Southeast Asia is the world’s longest snake. It is an opportunistic predator of many types of vertebrates.
The Burmese python has an average length around 12 feet. It is native to Southeast Asia but is now invasive in Florida. Prey includes mammals and birds up to deer size.
The Indian python inhabits India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. It grows to 10 feet long and can take prey as large as antelope. They are often found near human settlements.
African Pythons
Africa is home to several giant python species, some reaching or exceeding 20 feet long.
The African rock python has dark brown blotches on a tan background and can reach 20 feet long. It inhabits much of sub-Saharan Africa and takes large mammal prey.
The southern African python lives among rocky outcrops and feeds on rodents, antelope and monkeys. It averages 10 to 13 feet in length.
At just 2 to 3 feet long, the rare Angolan python is Africa’s smallest python. Very little is known about this secretive species.
The ball python is a smaller, more docile African species that grows to about 5 feet long. Its name comes from its habit of coiling into a tight ball when stressed.
##scrub Pythons
This group contains some of the largest python species, native to Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea.
Amethystine pythons grow up to 28 feet long and inhabit tropical forests, where they prey on mammals, birds and reptiles.
The rare Boelen’s python has dark bluish-black scales. It inhabits mountain forests on New Guinea and eats mammals and birds.
Reaching lengths over 20 feet, the Australian scrub python is one of the world’s longest snakes. It lives in Australia’s tropical forests and eats mammals, reptiles and birds.
The Moluccan python inhabits Indonesia’s Moluccan Islands and varies from yellow to olive-green, growing to about 9 feet long. It is a stealthy ambush hunter.
African rock python
The African rock python () is a massive python of sub-Saharan Africa and includes two subspecies, the Southern African rock python (P. sebae natalensis) and the Northern African rock python (P. sebae sebae). Specimens of this python have been found to grow as long as 20 feet. Within its wide range, the African rock python occupies a wide variety of habitats ranging from forests to deserts but prefers to live near water sources. These pythons kill prey by constriction and can consume animals as large as antelopes and crocodiles. Well-substantiated reports of African rock pythons attacking humans have been noted, but there is not substantial evidence regarding the consumption of humans by these snakes. However, the python is highly feared in its range. Hunting for food and leather, persecution due to fear, and capture for pet trade has resulted in a decrease in the population of these non-venomous pythons.
The reticulated python () living in Southeast Asia is the world’s longest reptile and also one of the three heaviest snakes living today. Even though reticulated pythons are extremely powerful, attacks on humans are not common. Due to its excellent skills at swimming, these pythons have been able to swim in the ocean and colonize many small islands within its range. Reticulated python specimens with a length of 21.3 feet have been detected while the weight of these snakes can be as high as 75 kg. The reticulated python inhabits the woodlands, grasslands, and forests within its range. Mammals and occasionally birds form the prey base of these reptiles. There have been scattered reports about the reticulated python killing and eating humans. Reticulated pythons have often been kept as exotic pets, but safety measures need to be implemented to ensure both the animal and keeper stays safe.
Indian python / Black tailed Python
, also known as the black-tailed python or the Indian python, is a python native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The species attains a length of about 9.8 feet and is lighter in color than the Burmese python. Within its range, the Indian python inhabits grasslands, swamps, rocky foothills, river valleys, and marshes. These pythons are strict carnivores by nature and feed indiscriminately on reptiles, mammals, and birds.
Python Species – All Python Species Of The World
FAQ
How many varieties of python are there?
Python spp. are nonvenomous snakes that are found in Asia, Africa, and Australia. There are 41 different species found within the Pythonidae family. Python spp.
What type of python is venomous?
Pythons are non-venomous snakes from the Pythonidae family
Pythons don’t have venom, but can be even more deadly than cobras. These are one of the few animals known to prey on people, particularly in remote rural areas, where the snakes can grow huge and catch wandering humans unawares.
What species of python is aggressive?
Many owners are surprised at the rapid growth rate of Burmese pythons with adults reaching 23 feet and 200 pounds. Both Python species are non venomous, but are considered dangerous because of their strong jaw and aggressive behavior.
What is the best type of python for a pet?
The ball python is far and away the most popular of the python species due to their relatively docile nature, ease of care and their variety of color variations and patterns. Since they’ve become so popular, breeders have become more common, allowing for pythons to be readily available for purchase in the marketplace.
What are the different types of Python?
Below we’ll take a look at the different types of pythons. Within the Pythonidae family, 41 species belong to nine different genera. The genus Python (true pythons) currently has ten recognized species: African Rock (and Southern Rock), Angolan, Burmese, Borneo, Malaysian Blood, Myanmar short-tailed, Sumatran, Ball, and Indian Pythons.
What is the ‘type’ function in Python?
What is a type () function in Python? The type () function is mostly used for debugging purposes. Two different types of arguments can be passed to type () function, single and three arguments. If a single argument type (obj) is passed, it returns the type of the given object.
What are the different types of data in Python?
There are three numeric data types in Python that are used to categorize variables that have a numeric value. Numeric data types include int, float, or complex. The Python data type int represents integers, which are positive or negative whole numbers that don’t include decimals.