PYTHON FACT SHEET

KINGDOM:
Animalia

PHYLUM:
Chordata

CLASS:
Reptilia

SUBCLASS:
Lepidosauria

ORDER:
Squamata

SUBORDER:
Serpentes

SUPERFAMILY:
Henophidia

FAMILY:
Pythonidae

GENERA:
Aspidites, Antaresia, Apodora,
Bothrochilus, Leiopython, Liasis,
Morelia, Python

Python is the common name for a group of non-venomous constricting snakes, specifically the family Pythonidae. Other
sources consider this group a subfamily of the Boas (Pythoninae). Pythons are more related to boas than to any other
snake-family. There is also a genus within Pythonidae which carries the name Python (Daudin, 1803). Pythons are
distinguishable from boas in that they have teeth on the premaxilla, a small bone at the very front and center of the upper
jaw. Most boas produce live young, while pythons produce eggs. Some species of sandboas (Ericinae) are also called
python.

Pythons are found in Australia, Southeast Asia, India, and Africa. Most pythons live in the dense underbrush of rugged
tropical rainforest regions. They are excellent climbers; some species, like the Green Tree Python, are arboreal. Like all
snakes, they are also capable swimmers.

Pythons range in size from 4.5 to 6 m (15 to 20 feet) in length. They are among the longest species of snake in the world.
The Reticulated Python holds the record for longest snake at 10 m (32ft 9.5in). Some species exhibit vestigial bones of
the pelvis and rear legs, which are externally apparent in the form of a pair of anal spurs on each side of the cloaca.
These spurs are larger in males than females, and are used by the male to stimulate the female during copulation. Some
pythons display vivid patterns on their scales, while others are a nondescript brown. They usually reflect appropriate
camouflage for their native habitat.
Pythons are constrictors, and feed on birds and mammals, killing them by squeezing them to death. They coil themselves
up around their prey, tighten, but merely squeeze hard enough to stop the prey's breathing and/or blood circulation. Large
pythons will usually eat something about the size of a house cat, but larger food items are not unknown. They swallow
their prey whole, and take several days or even weeks to fully digest it. Despite their intimidating size and muscular
power, they are generally not dangerous to humans. While a large adult python could kill a human being (most likely by
strangling rather than actual crushing), humans are outside the normal size range for prey. Reports of python attacks on
humans are extremely rare. Despite this, pythons have been aggressively hunted, driving some species (like the Indian
Python) to the brink of extinction. Most pythons have heat-sensing organs in their lips. These enable them to detect
objects that are hotter than the surrounding environment. Pythons that do not have heat-sensing organs identify their prey
by smell. Pythons are ambush predators: they typically stay in a camouflaged position and then suddenly strike at passing
prey. They then grasp the prey in their teeth, and kill by constriction. Death is usually a result of suffocation or heart failure
rather than crushing. Pythons will not usually attack humans unless startled or provoked, although females protecting their
eggs can be aggressive.

Pythons lay eggs which they arrange in a pile. They coil around the pile until all eggs have hatched. Since pythons cannot
regulate their internal body temperature, they cannot incubate their eggs per se; instead, they raise the temperature of
their eggs by small movements of their body—essentially, they "shiver".

CAPTIVITY:
The lot of a reptile captured or bred for the pet store trade is grim. The trip from the breeder or dealer is typically cramped
and unsanitary, and many reptiles do not survive it. Those who do will probably have health problems that don’t show up
until months later. Unfortunately, reptiles are perceived as requiring minimal care rather than specialized care, so they’re
big business—nearly 4 million U.S. households owned a reptile in 2000. Pet-store employees are rarely trained to
effectively tend to the sensitive needs of reptiles and therefore cannot educate prospective reptile caretakers. Snakes can
live for decades and grow to lengths in excess of 5 feet. They require at least a 30-gallon tank, frequent checkups, and
care by a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles. Fresh water and a spotless environment must be provided at all times.
Most are carnivorous. They are susceptible to a variety of parasites as well as blister disease, respiratory and digestive
disorders, and mouth rot. Strictly controlled daytime and nighttime temperatures and the careful application of pesticides
are required in order to guard against mite infestations. There is a health risk associated with owning any reptile. Seventy
thousand people in the U.S. contract salmonellosis from direct or indirect contact with reptiles and amphibians every year.
Children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illness or
death. If you or anyone close to you is in one of these categories, rethink bringing a reptile into your home—even healthy-
looking animals may be carrying the disease. Many reptiles are brought into the country with little or no inspection or
quarantine. Welcoming a reptile into your home means a commitment of time, space, and money. You’ll need to provide
the right temperature and humidity and specific light/dark cycles that may not coincide with your own or be convenient to
you. Backup power is necessary to keep a constant temperature in the event of a power failure. It is a harsh fact that most
reptiles are carnivores—do you really want your freezer full of dead animals? In all, costs for food, an enclosure, lighting,
and vet bills can total hundreds of dollars per year. Purchasing a reptile caught in his or her natural habitat encourages
the removal of wildlife from delicate ecosystems. Buying captive-bred animals only encourages breeders to replenish their
stock. If you must have a reptile as a companion animal, please consider adopting one from a local shelter or rescue
group.

Snakes used for entertainment are often subjected to abuse. Even under the best of circumstances, captivity can be hell
for animals meant to roam free. These animals often suffer from malnutrition, loneliness, the denial of all normal pleasures
and behaviors, loss of freedom and independence, even lack of veterinary care, and filthy quarters. Attracting customers
is the first consideration and the animals' welfare is often the last. Even when the mere display of the animals themselves
is the "draw," the animals rarely receive proper care--and almost never the socialization and stimulation they crave.
Confined to tiny cages and gawked at by crowds, animals in exhibits and acts endure constant stress. They may suffer
from temperature extremes and irregular feeding and watering. Without exercise, they become listless, their immune
systems are weakened, and they become prone to sickness; many resort to self-mutilation in reaction to stress or
boredom. Mental illness is rampant among confined animals. Torn from their families and deprived of all dignity, every
part of their lives is controlled by their captors. While zoos and aquariums may appear to be educational and
conservation-oriented, most are designed with the needs and desires of the visitors in mind, not the needs of the animals.
Many animals in zoos and aquariums exhibit abnormal behavior as a result of being deprived of their natural
environments and social structures. Some zoos and aquariums do rescue some animals and work to save endangered
species, but most animals in zoos were either captured from the wild or bred in captivity for the purpose of public display,
not species protection. The vast majority of captive-bred animals will never be returned to the wild. When the facility
breeds too many animals they become "surplus" and often are sold to laboratories, traveling shows, shooting ranches, or
to private individuals who may be unqualified to care for them.