Pythonidae: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:37, 17 July 2006

Revision as of 14:44, 20 July 2006

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== Description ==

Pythons range in size from 1 to 6 [[metre]]s (3 to 20 [[foot (unit of length)|feet]]) in length. TheySome pythons are among the longest species of snakesnakes in the world; according to the [http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/ Guinness Book of World Records] the [[Reticulated Python]] holds the record for longest snake, at 10m (32ft 9.5in).^{[http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=51013]}

Some species exhibit vestigial bones of the pelvis and rear legs, which are externally apparent in the form of a pair of [[anal spurs]] on each side of the [[cloaca]]. These spurs are larger in males than females, and are used by the male to stimulate the female during copulation. Pythons are distinguishable from [[Boa|boas]] in that they have [[teeth]] on the [[premaxilla]], a small [[bone]] at the very front and center of the upper [[jaw]].