What is Python?
Classification:
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Genus: Python.
Habitat: It is found mostly on ground, in trees of tropical jungle, in dry, rocky or sandy places. It is found in India and Indo-China but not found in Newzealand. It is commonly called ajgar.
Habits:
(i) It is a nocturnal animal.
(i) It may creep slowly or swims in water.
(iii) It is carnivorous and feeds upon reptiles, birds and mammals.
(iv) Sexes are unisexual. Fertilization is internal and female is oviparous. Development is direct.
External characters:
(1) Body is covered with small scales in 60-75 rows. Body is divisible into head, neck, trunk and tail. Head contains mouth, nostrils and eyes.
(ii) Dorsal side has brown pigmentation with dark grey rhomboid edged spots, while ventral side is greyish with yellow brown spot.
(iii) Mandibles, pterygoids, palatines, maxillae and pre-maxillae contain teeth. Maxillae, palatine and pterygoid are moveable.
Economic importance: It is a non-poisonous snake.
