Python curtus
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| Python curtus | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Python curtus Schlegel, 1872 |
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Python curtus is a non-venomous python species found in Southeast Asia. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[3]
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[edit] Description
Adults grow to 1.5-1.8 m (5-6 feet) 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.[2]
[edit] Common names
Short python, blood python,[2] short-tailed python, black blood python, Sumatran short-tailed python, Sumatran blood python.
[edit] Geographic range
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.[1]
[edit] Habitat
Occurs in rainforests where it is found in marshes, swamps and along river banks and streams.[2]
[edit] Feeding
Captive specimens feed almost exclusively on rats, although it is likely that wild individuals feed on a variety of mammals, as well as birds.[2]
[edit] Reproduction
Oviparous, females hardly ever lay more than a dozen rather large eggs. The female remains coiled around the eggs during the incubation period. The hatchlings emerge after 2.5 to 3 months and are about 30 cm (12 inches) in length.[2]
[edit] Captivity
They are often regarded as unpredictable and aggressive, but captive bred individuals tend to be more docile than wild-caught specimens.
[edit] Subspecies
| Subspecies[3] | Authority[3] | Common name | Geographic range[1] |
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| P. c. breitensteini | Steindachner, 1880 | Borneo short-tailed python | Type locality: Borneo. |
| P. c. brongersmai | Stull, 1935 | Red blood python | Type locality: Singapore, Malay Peninsula. |
| P. c. curtus | Schlegel, 1872 | Black blood python | Type locality: Sumatra. |
[edit] Taxonomy
The subspecies P. c. brongersmai was elevated to a full species by Pauwels et al. (2000).[4], while P. c. breitensteini was given species status by Keogh, Barker and Shine (2001).[5]
[edit] See also
- List of pythonid species and subspecies.
- Pythonidae by common name.
- Pythonidae by taxonomic synonyms.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b c d e f Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ^ a b c Python curtus (TSN 634783). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 11 September 2007.
- ^ Python brongersmai at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 15 September 2007.
- ^ Python breitensteini at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 15 September 2007.
[edit] Further reading
- Keogh, JS, Barker DG, Shine R. 2001. Heavily Exploited but Poorly Known: Systematics and Biogeography of Commercially Harvested Pythons (Python curtus group) in Southeast Asian. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 73:113-129
[edit] External links
- Python curtus at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 11 September 2007.
- Borneo Blood information
