Pythonidae: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:41, 25 August 2006

Revision as of 19:55, 25 August 2006

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== Behavior ==

Pythons are constrictors, and feed on [[bird]]s and [[mammal]]s, killing them by squeezing them to death. They coil themselves up around their prey, tighten, but merely squeeze hard enough to stop the prey's breathing and/or blood circulation. Large pythons will usually eat something about the size of a house cat, but larger food items are not unknown (some large Asian species have been known to take down adult [[Deer]], and the African Rock Python has been documented preying upon [[Gazelle]]). There is even video documentation of the Rock Python eating an entire [[hippopotamus]]. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWCndB5QUb0&mode=related&search=] They swallow their prey whole, and take several days or even weeks to fully digest it. Despite their intimidating size and muscular power, they are generally not dangerous to humans. While a large adult python could kill a human being (most likely by [[asphyxia|strangling]] rather than actual crushing), humans are outside the normal size range for prey. Reports of python attacks on humans are extremely rare. Despite this, pythons have been aggressively hunted, driving some species (like the [[Indian Python]]) to the brink of [[extinction]].

[[Image:Leiopython_albertisii.jpg|250px|thumb|White-lipped Python ''Leiopython albertisii'']]