The Anchieta's dwarf python is a rare, non-venomous species of snake, which belongs to the large family Pythonidae, which is found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Also known as Python anchietae, this rare species is found in the rugged, barren mountains of northern Namibia and southern Angola. Despite its name, ''dwarf'', the adult can measure up to 1.85 m (or 185 cm) in length. It can be distinguished from the larger Southern African Python by having only between 57 and 61 rows of scales at midbody. Taxonomy: Class = Reptilia; Order = Squamata; Suborder = Serptentes; Family = Phythonidae; Genus = Python; Species = P. anchietae.
Physical Description
The color patterns of the Anchieta's dwarf python body ranges from pale red-brown to grey, with yellowish-creamy bands and spots. The adult measures between 165 and 185 cm in length. It has a triangular head, which is covered with small tubercles, with the upper lip having five heat-sensitive pits on each side. A creamy band runs along the full length of lateral side of its head. This color band is interrupted by its eye, which has round pupil.
The Python anchietae feeds on small birds and rodents, which are killed through constriction and asphyxiation after the snake has wrapped around their bodies and closed in its coil tight around them. The female lays between six and seven large eggs in the Summer. With humans, it is usually shy and rarely bites. It lacks the pair of large hollow fangs typical of venomous snakes, having long rows of serrated teeth instead.
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| Above, a color photograph of Anchieta's Dwarf Python. |
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| The triangular head of the Python anchietae species. |
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