Pythons are non-venomous snakes. They live in the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia, and Australia. In South America, Europe and the United States are kept as pets.
The largest among them are royal, net and hieroglyphic. There are other types of snakes that are significantly inferior to these giants in size. These include:
- black-headed python found in Northern Australia;
- Ramsey's python is also a resident of Australia;
- ringed - a rather rare species that is found only in the Bismarck archipelago;
- burrowing African python; it is interesting that earlier it was considered a python, but now it is called a boa constrictor; its length is no more than two meters;
- ringed spotted - endemic to Australia (northern regions);
- Amethyst is a large snake native to Northern Australia and New Guinea.
Hieroglyphic python: habitat
This snake naturally lives in West Africa, south of the Sahara. The hieroglyphic python prefers to live in the savannah, subtropical and tropical forests. Often found in meadows, among rocky outcrops, around farms and villages. This verya large snake on the African continent can be found in wetlands, places with high levels of humidity.
External Features
African hieroglyphic python - a huge snake. In length, it can reach more than six meters, and weighs more than one hundred kilograms. In a terrarium, it rarely has such dimensions. Most often, its length in captivity does not exceed four and a half meters, and its weight is fifty kilograms.
The body of the hieroglyphic python is covered with an exquisite pattern: on the back it consists of stripes in the form of a zigzag, as well as dark spots on the sides. The back of individuals under natural conditions is colored gray-brown, the belly is lighter, yellowish. On the head is a dark triangular spot and a stripe that runs through the eyes. Today individuals with other colors have been bred.
Features of behavior
Hieroglyphic python is active at night, it climbs trees very well and swims well. As a rule, this snake is unhurried, but it can pose a serious danger to humans - its rush for prey is swift. Interestingly, this species of pythons can live for a long time without food. The teeth of this snake are very sharp, but it is not poisonous. Nevertheless, there have been cases of this giant python attacking a person, resulting in a fatal outcome.
Hieroglyphic python, born in captivity, is fairly easy to tame and becomes quite an adequate pet. At first, the animal shows aggression and bites out of fear, but then trust and aggression are formed.leaving.
Hieroglyphic Python Maintenance Guide
Because of the very large size and pronounced tendency to aggression, experts do not recommend starting this type of python for beginners. This animal is more suitable for experienced keepers who already have experience handling large and sometimes unpredictable snakes. With good care, the hieroglyphic python can become tame and very calm, and taming it will be a reward for the breeder. And for beginners, it is better to pay attention to snakes that have a more docile nature.
Terrarium
You can equip your pet with a simple or rather complex terrarium. But it must be remembered that the more decorative elements you put there, the more difficult it is to achieve cleanliness in the python's house: all these elements will have to be constantly washed and disinfected. In addition, it must be remembered that the hieroglyphic python is a strong and powerful animal, so the terrarium must be closed.
For large individuals, the largest possible terrarium should be prepared. Regardless of the size of the snake, it is necessary to create a temperature difference in it. There should be enough space so that your pet can choose the temperature that suits him between the cold corner and the warming zone.
Substrates
Hieroglyphic python is not too picky about substrates. Newspapers are the cheapest and easiest way to keep clean: they are the easiest to replace.
Mulch substrates will help maintain moisture. But it is also necessary to take into accountthe fact that excess moisture is harmful to this species, however, as well as its lack.
Temperature
Hieroglyphic python needs a background temperature between +26 to +28 °C, and at the warm-up point it should be around +33 °C. Do not allow the background temperature to drop below +24 °C. To maintain and control it, use digital thermometers with a probe.
There are several ways to provide heat in a terrarium. Ceramic heating elements, heating mats, incandescent lamps are just some of the common options. Stones are not suitable for python terrariums, as they get very hot and can burn the animal very seriously.
Humidity
In the terrarium, you need to install a humidity chamber, which will not only help create the most humid place, but also become the snake's second refuge. Making such a camera is easy. Cut a hole in a plastic container with wet sphagnum at the top or bottom and place it in the terrarium. Keep in mind that warm air is more humid than cold air. The owner's main goal is to moisten your pet's home, not turn it into a swamp.
Keeping a snake in a terrarium that is too damp can provoke the development of bacterial and fungal infections, which can, in turn, cause the death of the animal.
Lighting
Hieroglyphic python does not need additional lighting, but if you still decide to use it, then you must follow the daily cycles: 12 (day) + 12 (night). permanentbright lighting leads to stress for snakes, especially for twilight species, to which our hero belongs.
Water
Your pet must have constant access to water. You can choose the drinker (size) at your own discretion. If this is a fairly large container, then over time the python will begin to use it for bathing.
Feeding
Python is fed weekly with rodents that match the size of the snake. Throughout his youth, your pet can eat rats: from baby rats in their youth to adult rodents as the snake grows. Do not disturb the snake after eating, otherwise the food may regurgitate.
Experienced owners believe that it is better to feed representatives of this species no more than once every ten days. Restriction in nutrition allows you to control the growth of the animal, but if the feeding is too rare, the snake will constantly experience hunger, which will provoke the start of feeding behavior upon contact with the owner.
When handling a python, follow the safety rules. This is especially true for feeding. Never pick up a snake after you have held a rodent - by mistake, your pet may mistake you for a treat.
Interesting facts
- The hieroglyphic python determines the place of prey optically and with the help of a well-developed sense of smell.
- The snake can perceive thermal, infrared radiation with the help of the sense organs, which are located in the labial sinuses. Since they are located on both sides of the mouth,python easily installs heat sources even in poor visibility.
