Python brongersmai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Python brongersmai |
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The Blood Python (scientific name: Python brongersmai) is a type of non-venomous snake. It belongs to the family of Pythonidae, which are large snakes known for squeezing their prey. This snake is originally from Southeast Asia.
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What is a Blood Python?
The Blood Python is known by several Common names. People often call it the Blood Python because of its reddish colors. Other names include Brongersma's short-tailed python, Malaysian blood python, red blood python, red short-tailed python, and Sumatran blood python.
Why is it Called Brongersma's?
The second part of its scientific name, brongersmai, is a special tribute. It honors a Dutch scientist named Leo Brongersma. He was a herpetologist, which means he studied reptiles and amphibians.
Where Do Blood Pythons Live?
You can find the Blood Python in many parts of Southeast Asia. They live in peninsular (Western) Malaysia and on the island of Sumatra. They are also found on Bangka Island and other small islands in the Strait of Malacca. These include the Lingga Islands, Riau islands, and Pinang. You can also find them in Thailand and Vietnam.
Blood Python Habitat
Blood Pythons prefer to live in wet, warm places. Their natural habitat includes marshes and tropical swamps. They like to stay in forest areas. These snakes can be found from sea level up to about 650 m (2,130 ft) high.
Blood Python Behavior
The Blood Python is mostly active during certain times of the day. It is a crepuscular species. This means it is most active around dawn (when the sun comes up) and dusk (when the sun goes down).
Blood Python Size
When Blood Pythons hatch from their eggs, they are quite small. They are usually about 25–43 cm (10–17 in) long. Adult male Blood Pythons typically grow to be 91–152 cm (36–60 in) in length. Females are usually larger, reaching 120–180 cm (48–72 in). Some very large females have been recorded at 240 cm (96 in). These snakes often look quite strong and sturdy because of their thick bodies.
Blood Python Lifespan
In places where they are cared for by humans, like zoos or special reptile homes, Blood Pythons can live for a long time. They can live up to about 20 years in captivity.
Blood Python Coloration
Blood Pythons are famous for their beautiful colors. Their main color can be a bright red, orange, or a duller rusty red. Some groups of these snakes can even be yellow and brown. Over this main color, they have yellow and tan blotches and stripes. These patterns run along the entire length of their body. They also have tan and black spots on their sides. The belly of the snake is white, sometimes with small black marks. The head is usually a shade of grey. Interestingly, an individual snake can change how light or dark its head appears. There is also a white stripe that goes from behind the eye, down and back.
Blood Python Reproduction
Blood Pythons lay eggs, which means they are oviparous. A female Blood Python can lay up to 30 eggs at one time. After laying her eggs, the female snake will coil her body around them. She then shivers her body. This shivering helps to create heat, which keeps the eggs warm and helps them develop properly. This process is called incubation.
Blood Pythons in Trade
For a long time, many people thought Blood Pythons were aggressive and hard to handle. However, they are slowly becoming more popular among people who keep reptiles as pets. In the past, many Blood Pythons kept as pets were caught in the wild in Malaysia. These snakes were often more aggressive. Now, most Blood Pythons come from Indonesia (Sumatra), either caught in the wild or bred in captivity. Snakes raised from a young age in captivity usually become calm and predictable adults. This, along with new types of brightly colored Blood Pythons bred by hobbyists, is making these snakes more popular.
Blood Pythons are also part of a commercial trade. Their skin is used to make leather products.
