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==

Adults grow to about {{convert|50|cm|in|round=0.5|abbr=on}} in length and have a weight near 210&nbsp;grams. Neonates are about {{convert|8|in|cm}} in length and about 4&nbsp;grams in weight. After a year they average about 25&nbsp;grams in weight. This makes them smaller than both [[the Children's python]], ''[[Antaresia childreni|A. childreni]]'', and the [[spotted python]], ''[[Antaresia maculosa|A. maculosa]]''. ''A. perthensis'' usually has a redder background ground color than these other species and their spots fade, or become less distinct, as they mature. In contrast, the ground color is lighter in ''childreni'' and ''maculosa'', while their spots stay better defined throughout their life.

==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 20 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.{{Source needed|date=February 2023}}

In captivity, anthill pythons can be housed (and bred) in something as small as a 20 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==