Antaresia perthensis is a species of snake found in western Australia. The smallest member of the Pythonidae family, and known as the Pygmy python, the species is also termed the Ant-hill python for its occurrence in termite mounds. The specific epithet is derived from the state capital, Perth, but this is not within the distribution range.[2] No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]
| Antaresia perthensis | |
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| Species: | A. perthensis
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| Antaresia perthensis (Stull, 1932)
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- Common names: pygmy python, anthill python.
Description
A neonate (newborn) will be 8 inches in length and about 4 grams in weight. A yearling (one year old) will average about 25 grams in weight. Adults grow to about 50cm (20 inches) in length and have a weight near 210 grams.
This makes them smaller than the Childrens python and Spotted python. The Anthill pythons usually have a redder background base color that the other aforementioned snakes and the spots end up fading or becoming harder to discern as the snake ages. The background color is more white/pale on the Childrens and Spotted pythons, and their spots stay well defined throughout their life.
Geographic range
Found in Australia in the northwest of Western Australia and on some coastal islands. The type locality given is "Perth, West Australia" (Western Australia); an erroneous assumption of the place where the specimen was collected. The unfamiliarity of Europeans with the place of a specimen's collection has given rise to other 'naming peculiarities'.[2] According to L.A. Smith (1985), the type locality is unknown.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b Browne-Cooper, R., Bush, B., Maryan, B., Robinson, D. (2007). "Houtman Abrolhos". Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. ISBN 9778 1 920694 74 6.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: length (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|chapterurl=and|month=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Antaresia perthensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 17 August.
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External links
- Antaresia perthensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 11 September 2007.