What Species of Pythons Are There? A Detailed Explanation of the Differences Between Pythons and Boas
Snakes are remarkable animals. Besides the pythons we are relatively familiar with, there are many other kinds of snakes, such as boas. We often hear a saying: a big snake is a python, a big python is a boa. This saying actually has some truth to it, but it is not comprehensive enough. So where do the differences between pythons and boas lie? And what species of pythons are there? Let us take a look together.
Python Species
1. Reticulated python: The reticulated python, also called the royal python, is a large python of the suborder Serpentes. It is said to be the longest python in the world, reaching a maximum length of over 12 m, and is as famous as the green anaconda. It is currently on the verge of extinction.
2. Burmese python: The Burmese python, also called the southern snake or qin snake, is one of the six largest snake species in the world. It is a native species of Southeast Asia, mostly living in tropical rainforests, generally reaching a body length of 7 m and a weight of 91 kg.
3. Amethystine python: The amethystine python is the largest snake species in the Australia region, famous for preying on large mammals such as kangaroos. Its length is 3.5 to 5 m, with a maximum of 8.5 m. The amethystine python is non-venomous, but its enormous size poses a threat to children.
4. African rock python: The African rock python is mainly distributed in the Sahara region of southern Africa and is the largest snake in Africa. Its body is relatively long, reaching a maximum of 7.5 m. It varies greatly between different regions, with brown, olive, chestnut or yellow blotches.
Where Do the Differences Between Pythons and Boas Lie?
1. Difference in reproductive method: Pythons are oviparous, while boas are ovoviviparous. In terms of individual size, pythons are generally somewhat smaller than boas, but this is not absolute and depends on the specific species.
2. Difference in how they attack prey: When a python attacks its prey, it suddenly seizes the prey with its mouth, then tightly coils its body around the prey's body and presses hard on the prey's heart to stop it beating, causing death. A boa, on the other hand, coils its body completely around the prey, causing the prey's chest cavity to be unable to expand, thus suffocating it to death.
3. Difference in digestive ability: Boas digest faster than pythons.
The above is an introduction to python species and the differences between pythons and boas. Overall, pythons and boas are both enormous in size, reaching a maximum length of over 10 m, and prey on tigers, crocodiles and the like. Therefore, those man-eating snakes in movies really do exist. So, don't you think snakes are remarkable animals? In our daily lives, many traditional Chinese medicinal materials are related to snakes, so do not casually kill snakes out of fear of them.
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