Pygmy python: Difference between revisions

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The '''pygmy python''' ('''''Antaresia perthensis'''''), also known as the '''anthill python''', is a [[species]] of snake found in [[Western Australia]]. Their common names referare due to thetheir fact that they arebeing the smallest member of the family [[Pythonidae]] and areoften oftenbeing found in [[Termite#Mounds|termite mounds]]. The specific epithet is derived from the state capital, [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], despite the fact that this place is not within the range of the species.<ref name ="Bush">{{cite book |author1=Browne-Cooper, R. |author2=Bush, B. |author3=Maryan, B. |author4=Robinson, D. |title= Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia|year= 2007|publisher= [[University of Western Australia]] Press|isbn= 978-1-920694-74-6 |chapter= Houtman Abrolhos }}</ref> No subspecies are currently recognizedrecognised.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634766 |taxon=''Antaresia perthensis'' |accessdate=17 August 2007}}</ref>

The [[Binomial nomenclature|specific epithet]] is derived from the Western Australian [[States and territories of Australia|state]] capital, [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]—a city which is not, ironically, within the range of the species. The global [[biodiversity]] database [[iNaturalist]] has documented a number of different visual sightings of the pygmy python within the state of Western Australia, with the nearest physical sighting to Perth having occurred near [[Reedy, Western Australia|Reedy]], some 680 km (422.53 mi) north and slightly further inland of the capital.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Observations • iNaturalist |url=https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?verifiable=true&taxon_id=32141 }}</ref><ref name="Bush">{{cite book |author1=Browne-Cooper, R. |author2=Bush, B. |author3=Maryan, B. |author4=Robinson, D. |title= Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia|year= 2007|publisher= [[University of Western Australia]] Press|isbn= 978-1-920694-74-6 |chapter= Houtman Abrolhos }}</ref>

==Description==

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==Distribution and habitat==

FoundThe inpygmy python is native to Australia, primarily [[AustraliaEndemism|endemic]] into the northwestnorthwestern regions of the state of [[Western Australia]] and on some coastal islands. The [[Type locality (biology)#Use of type specimens|type locality]] given is "Perth, West Australia" (Western Australia);, an erroneous assumption of the place where the specimen was collected. TheThis historical unfamiliarity of Europeans with the place of a specimen's collection has given rise to other 'naming peculiarities'.<ref name ="Bush"/> According to L.A. Smith (1985), the type locality is unknown.<ref name="McD99"/>

The pygmy python has a number of confirmed visual sightings entered on [[iNaturalist]] (a global biodiversity website, app and nature-minded social network); sightings have been documented in and around several areas of Western Australia, including [[Cape Range National Park]], [[Dampier, Western Australia|Dampier]], [[De Grey, Western Australia|De Grey]], [[Lyons River|East Lyons River]], the [[Hamersley Range]] and [[Karijini National Park]], [[Marble Bar, Western Australia|Marble Bar]], the [[Murujuga]] (Burrup) Peninsula, [[Pannawonica, Western Australia|Pannawonica]], [[Peedamulla]], and [[Port Hedland, Western Australia|Port Hedland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Observations • iNaturalist |url=https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=6827&subview=map&taxon_id=32141 }}</ref>

==Housing==

In captivity anthill pythons can be housed (and bred) in something as small as a 5.5 gallon tank. Although reptile specific enclosures are best, a simple fish tank may be used for short or long-term housing. They may be fed mice as part of their regular diet and supplemented with fuzzy rats. Anything larger is usually a stressor on their system even though they will still try to eat it. Once anthill pythons get started eating they rarely refuse a meal except for breeding season or during part of their shedding cycle.

==Housing==

After only about 6 months they still are measured in gram weight due to their small "pocket" size.

In captivity anthill pythons can be housed (and bred) in something as small as a 5.520 gallon tank. Although reptile -specific enclosures are best, a simple fish tank may be used for short- or long-term housing. They may be fed mice as part of their regular diet and, supplemented with [[fuzzy ratsrat]]s. Anything larger is usually a stressor on their system, even thoughalthough they will still try to eat it. Once anthill pythons get started eating they rarely refuse a meal except for breeding season or during part of their shedding cycle.

==Reproduction==

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==In captivity==

This snake is a popular [[exotic pet]].{{Source needed|date=February 2023}}

==References==