Python molurus
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pythonidae
Genus:	Python
Species:	P. molurus
Binomial name
Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
[Coluber] Molurus Linnaeus, 1758 Boa Ordinata Schneider, 1801 Boa Cinerae Schneider, 1801 Boa Castanea Schneider, 1801 Boa Albicans Schneider, 1801 Boa Orbiculata Schneider, 1801 Coluber Boaeformis Shaw, 1802 Python bora Daudin, 1803 Python tigris Daudin, 1803 Python tigris castaneus - Daudin, 1803 Python tigris albanicus [sic] - Daudin, 1803 Python ordinatus - Daudin, 1803 Python Javanicus Kuhl, 1820 Python molurus - Gray, 1842 Python Jamesonii Gray, 1842 Python (Asterophis) tigris - Fitzinger, 1843 Python molurus - Boulenger, 1893 Python molurus [molurus] - F. Werner, 1899 [Python molurus] var. ocellatus F. Werner, 1899 [Python molurus] var. intermedia F. Werner, 1899 Python molurus molurus - Stull, 1935 Python molurus - M.A. Smith, 1943 Python molurus pimbura Deraniyagala, 1945 Python molurus molurus - Stimson, 1969 [Python molurus] var. [molurus] - Deuve, 1970 Python molurus - Kluge, 1993[1]

Python molurus is a large nonvenomous python species found in many tropic and subtropic areas of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is known by the common names Indian python,^[2] black-tailed python,^[3] and Indian rock python. Two subspecies are currently recognized: the nominate subspecies (Python m. molurus) and the Burmese Python (Python m. bivittatus). The nominate subspecies mainly described here is limited to Southern Asia, is generally lighter colored than the Burmese Python and reaches usually 3 metres (9.8 ft)^[4].

Common names[link]

Indian python,^[2] black-tailed python,^[3] Indian rock python, Asian rock python.^[5][6] Referred to as "Ajgar" in Hindi, "Azdaha" in Urdu and "Ajogor" in Bengali.

Description[link]

The color pattern is whitish or yellowish with the blotched patterns varying from shades of tan to dark brown. This varies with terrain and habitat. Specimens from the hill forests of Western Ghats and Assam are darker, while those from the Deccan Plateau and East Coast are usually lighter.^[7]

In Pakistan, Indian Pythons commonly reach a length of 2.4–3 metres (7.9–9.8 ft).^[8] In India, the nominate subspecies grows to 3 metres (9.8 ft) on average ^[4][7] This value is supported by a 1990 study in Keoladeo National Park, where the biggest 25% of the python population was 2.7–3.3 metres (8.9–11 ft) long. Only two specimen even measured nearly 3.6 metres (12 ft).^[9] Because of confusion with the Burmese Python, exaggerations and stretched skins in the past, the maximum length of this subspecies is hard to tell. The longest scientifically recorded specimen, which hailed from Pakistan, was 4.6 metres (15 ft) in length and weighed 52 kilograms (115 lb).^[8]

Geographic range[link]

The nominate subspecies is found in Pakistan, Tappal aligarh India, Sri Lanka, southern Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and probably in the north of Myanmar.^[10]

Habitat[link]

Occurs in a wide range of habitats, including grasslands, swamps, marshes, rocky foothills, woodlands, "open" jungle and river valleys. They depend on a permanent source of water.^[11] Sometimes they can be found in abandoned mammal burrows, hollow trees, dense water reeds and mangrove thickets.^[7]

Behavior[link]

Lethargic and slow moving even in its native habitat, they exhibit timidity and rarely try to escape even when attacked. Locomotion is usually rectilinear, with the body moving in a straight line. They are very good swimmers and are quite at home in water. They can be wholly submerged in water for many minutes if necessary, but usually prefer to remain near the bank.

Feeding[link]

These snakes are carnivore animals and they feed on mammals, birds and reptiles indiscriminately, but seem to prefer mammals. Roused to activity on sighting prey, the snake will advance with quivering tail and lunge with open mouth. Live prey is constricted and killed. One or two coils are used to hold it in a tight grip. The prey, unable to breathe, succumbs and is subsequently swallowed head first. After a heavy meal, they are disinclined to move. If forced to, hard parts of the meal may tear through the body. Therefore, if disturbed, some specimens will disgorge their meal in order to escape from potential predators. After a heavy meal, an individual may fast for weeks, the longest recorded duration being 2 years. The python can swallow prey bigger than its diameter because the jaw bones are not connected. Morever prey cannot escape from its mouth because of the arrangement of the teeth (which are reverse saw-like).

Reproduction[link]

Oviparous,up to 100 eggs are laid, protected and incubated by the female.^[11] Towards this end, it has been shown that they are capable of raising their body temperature above the ambient level through muscular contractions.^[12] The hatchlings are 45–60 cm (18–24 in) in length and grow quickly.

Clutch of Python molurus eggs

Labial Pits of P molurus

^[11]

Conservation status[link]

These snakes have often been killed for their fine skin and are endangered. They are now partly protected by the Tamil Nadu Government. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the meat is eaten by locals as the fat is purported to have medicinal value. The Indian Python is classified as Lower Risk/Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v2.3, 1996).^[13] This listing indicates that it may become threatened with extinction and is in need of frequent reassessment.^[14]

Subspecies[link]

Taxonomy[link]

In the literature, one other subspecies may be encountered: P. m. pimbura Deraniyagala, 1945, which is found in Sri Lanka.

Gallery[link]

• 

  Labial Pits of P. molurus. Specimen at Ezhimala, Kerala, India.

• 

  Indian rock python with clearly visible body pattern.

• 

  Natural distribution of the Indian Python (red) and the Burmese Python (green) and interference area (yellow).

• 

  P. m. molurus in Keoladeo National Park, India.

• 

  Head scalation.

• Indian python skeleton Ben W Bell April 2007.jpg

  Skeleton.

• 

  Head

• 

  P. m. molurus swallowing a Chital deer fawn, Mudumalai National Park

• 

  P. m. molurus, basking in front of its hole in Keoladeo National Park, India

See also[link]

• List of pythonid species and subspecies.
• Pythonidae by common name.
• Pythonidae by taxonomic synonyms.

References[link]

Further reading[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Python molurus

• Python molurus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 September 2007.
• Indian Python at Ecology Asia. Accessed 13 September 2007.
• Indian python at Animal Pictures Archive. Accessed 13 September 2007.
• Watch Indian rock python (Python molurus) video clips from the BBC archive on Wildlife Finder