Also in the same general size category are Asia’s Indian and Burmese Pythons, the African Rock Python, and the Scrub Python of Australia.Ī reward offered by the Bronx Zoo for a snake exceeding 30 feet in length remained uncollected for nearly 100 years. At the other end of the scale, the Reticulated Python sometimes exceeds 20 feet in length. All are constrictors, and most are equipped with facial heat-sensing organs that allow them to locate warm-blooded prey at night.Īt an adult size of less than 36 inches, Australia’s Pygmy Python ( Antaresia perthensis), is the smallest species. Boidae is further divided into 3 subfamilies – the True Boas and Anacondas (Boinae), the Sand Boas (Erycinae) and the Dwarf Boas (Ungaliophiinae).īoas and pythons are considered to be “primitive” snakes, due to certain anatomical features such as vestigial pelvic girdles and rear limbs (the cloacal “spurs” seen on most species), but as you’ll see below they are extraordinarily successful. The world’s 58 boas (including the 4 anaconda species) are placed in the family Boidae. Also included in Pythonoidae are the Mexican Burrowing Pythons (Lococemidae) and the Sunbeam Snakes (Xenopeltidae). The world’s 40 python species are classified in the family Pythonidae and the super family Pythonoidae. Please see the article linked under “Further Reading” to read about a surprising study of human predation by Reticulated Pythons.
Anaconda length professional#
As is the practice among professional zookeepers, at least 2 well-experienced adults should be on hand whenever constrictors exceeding 6 feet in length are fed or handled. Human predation, while rare, has been documented for several of these, and feral Burmese Pythons are causing ecological havoc in south Florida.
Important Note: Green Anacondas and African Rock, Indian, Burmese and Scrub Pythons can exceed 20 feet in length, and cannot usually be properly and safely managed in private collections. deer) that I was lucky enough to observe in the field. Even after a lifetime of working with giant constrictors, I was astonished by some of the anaconda meals (most notably a 60 lb. molurus) and Scrub Python ( Morelia amethystinus) are certainly capable of doing the same. bivittatus), have on occasion killed caretakers, and the Indian Python ( P. reticulatus) – occasionally add people to their diet, and anecdotal evidence indicates that the same may be true of the Green Anaconda ( Eunectes murinus).
At least 2 species – the African Rock Python ( Python sebae), and the Reticulated Python ( P. Much of our fascination centers upon the families’ giants, and the huge meals they consume. Although they represent a mere 6% of the world’s snake diversity, boas, anacondas and pythons have long monopolized the attentions of herpetologists, private snake keepers, zoos and “non-herp people” alike.
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