Calabar python
| Calabar python | |
|---|---|
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| Calabar python at Louisville Zoo, Louisville, Kentucky | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Boidae |
| Genus: | Calabaria Gray, 1858 |
| Species: | C. reinhardtii
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| Binomial name | |
| Calabaria reinhardtii (Schlegel, 1851)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
The Calabar python (Calabaria reinhardtii) is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Boidae. The species is endemic to West and Central Africa.[4] It is the only species in its genus.[5]
Etymology
The specific name or epithet, reinhardtii, is dedicated to Danish herpetologist Johannes Theodor Reinhardt (1816–1882).[6]
Taxonomy
Although
This species was long regarded as a member of the family Pythonidae, a fact still reflected in many of its common names. It was moved to Charina by Kluge (1993) based on a phylogenetic analysis; however, analyses based on DNA show that Calabaria is not closely related to Charina, and instead it appears to represent an ancient branch of the boid snakes with no close living relatives.[10]
No subspecies are currently recognized.[4]
Description
Calabaria reinhardtii grows to no more than 1 m (39 inches) in total length (including tail), and the body is fairly uniform in its thickness from head to tail, with a pronounced cylindrical profile.
No palatal teeth are present and, unlike other boids, the compact skull includes a prefrontal bone. No thermoreceptive labial pits are present.[11] Adapted to burrowing, the body is cylindrical with a blunt head and equally blunt tail.[3] The head is covered with enlarged shields.[7] The shape of the tail closely resembles that of the head which may be a defensive adaptation, meant to confuse an attacker. The body is muscular and strong. The eyes are relatively small and usually a dark reddish-brown color. The pupil is round.
The color pattern consists of a dark brown or black ground color speckled with red, yellow and/or grayish spots.[3] The tail may be ringed or have a partial ring of bright white scales. This ring of scales is assumed to exist to confuse attackers and draw attention away from its head.
The smooth
Geographic range
Calabaria reinhardtii is found in the equatorial rain forest regions of West and Central
Behavior
Calabaria reinhardtii is
It is a very docile snake. When threatened, it has a tendency to coil itself into a tight ball with its head safely tucked in its own coils. Also, it may thump its tail against the ground in a defensive posture as well, but will rarely bite in aggression. The tail of Calabaria often has a conspicuous white ring, which may serve to attract attention of predators away from the head. When first disturbed, it will often remain very still while slowly moving the tail in an effort to increase the effect of this deception.
In captivity, this species will thrive under the right conditions. Requirements include a thick layer of loose organic material for burrowing and a cage temperature of 25–29 °C (77–84 °F).[3]
Although C. reinhardtii is occasionally available through the exotic animal trade, captive reproduction of this species has only been accomplished by a few individual keepers. Most specimens of this species are caught in their natural habitat and then exported for sale.
It is a docile snake and can be handled easily. In captivity a Calabar python will readily accept small mice and rats for food, as this fulfills its instinct to raid rodent nests. As this species is prone to kill entire nests of young rodents, it is particularly useful in reducing rodent populations.
Feeding
Calabaria reinhardtii preys on small rodents and shrews, often invading their burrows in search of them.[3][11] It may wait for the adults to leave the nest, after which it will enter and eat whole litters at a time. Constriction is usually employed to kill its prey, but it may also use its body to press the young rodents against the walls of their nest. If there is enough room in a burrow, multiple prey may be constricted at a time.
Reproduction
Calabaria reinhardtii is oviparous, with sexually mature females laying eggs.[3] The eggs are relatively large, weighing as much as 50 g (2 oz) each. Usually, only one or two eggs are laid, rarely three. Nevertheless, the eggs may represent up to half of the female's body weight. The young hatch after six weeks of incubation, and begin to feed two or three days after hatching, usually after they first shed their skin.
Common names
Common names for C. reinhardtii include the African burrowing python, burrowing boa, Calabar boa, Calabar ground boa,[3]Calabar python, Calabar ground python, calabaria, two-headed boa, West African burrowing boa, and West African ground boa.
References
- ^ Luiselli L, Penner J, Rödel M, Gonwouo NL, Kusamba C, LeBreton M (2021). "Boa nebulosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T13264749A13264760. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ ISBN 1-893777-01-4(volume).
- ^ ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ^ a b c Calabaria reinhardtii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 8 January 2021.
- ^ Calabaria at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 8 January 2021.
- ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.
- ^ hdl:2027.42/73563. Retrieved 20 July 2008 – via University of Michigan Library.
- (PDF) from the original on 2012-11-14.
- ISBN 9780972015431.
- PMID 23627680.
- ^ ISBN 0-8014-9164-9(paper).
- ^ Boulenger, G.A. (1893). "Calabaria reinhardti". Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families ... Boidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History) (Taylor and Francis, printers). p. 92.
Further reading
- Schlegel, H. (1851). "Description d'une nouvelle espèce du genre Eryx, Eryx Reinhardtii". Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde 3 (1): 1-3. (Eryx reinhardtii, new species). (in French).
External links
- The African Burrowing "Python" (Calabaria reinhardtii) at the Sand Boa Page. Accessed 20 July 2008.