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 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Subphylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | A. perthensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Antaresia perthensis (Stull, 1932)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
- 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 (over 3 years old) grow to about 50cm (28 inches) in length and have a weight near 210 grams.
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.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help)