Pygmy Python

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width="341" height="292" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="380"><div> <B><U>Pygmy python</U></B> <I>Antaresia perthensis</I></div> <div> <I>(not allowed to be kept or collected)</I></div> <bR> <div> The Pygmy python is the smallest python in the world and endemic to Western Australia (see distribution map). </div> <bR> <div> There is data available on average and maximum length and if you are to rely on David Barkers publication, Pythons of The World, then his average adult length is quoted as being 48 to 56 cm with the maximum approaching 70 cm. </div> <bR> <div> I personally am aware though of a injured specimen that was found in Pannawonica W.A and when finally released back into the wild measured 91 cm. </div> <bR> <div> The colouration can vary somewhat within its range and generally speaking markings look similar to the Children's python Antaresia childreni. </div> <bR> <div> As these pythons age their pattern becomes a lot less defined and almost all older specimens that I have seen had no visible pattern at all.</div> <div>  </div> <div> The pygmy python has a very low average number of ventral scales (232) and have a known maximum of 250. </div> <bR> <div> They also have a low mid-body scales count which ranges from 31 to 35. There has been some debate as to whether or not the pygmy python in the wild will naturally cross with the Stimsons python Antaresia stimsoni which in many areas are sympatric in range. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 98 WIDTH="731"><div> I believe that this scenario could be possible but would be very rare and I have only ever seen one single specimen that in my opinion represents a natural cross of the two species. It would have been very interesting to quantify though, whether or not this individual was fertile or not. </div> <bR> <div> Pygmy pythons have proved hardy captives and are quickly becoming popular within the reptile pet industry. At the present time however, they unfortunately remain hard to obtain due to the very low numbers held in captivity.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 65 WIDTH="731"><div> <U>Habitat</U></div> <div> Pygmy pythons are often found living in termite mounds and are sometimes referred to as the ant hill python. Although found on the Pilbara coast of W.A, generally speaking this species seems to be more prevalent further inland and commonly found near rocky areas or water ways. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="731"><div> <U>Diet</U></div> <div> Their natural diet consists of small geckos and skinks and when they are big enough, small mammals. Despite the common belief that newly born mouse pups are too big to be offered to captive hatchlings, my experience has taught me that this is not always the case and I have witnessed on several occasions newly born hatchlings take mouse pups entirely as their first feed with no complications.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 245 WIDTH="731"><div> <U>Breeding</U></div> <div> Although these pythons by all accounts seem to be no more difficult to breed in captivity than any other species of Antaresia, in this country at least it still remains uncommon  simply due to the small number of specimens held by very few keepers who have been lucky enough to obtain them. </div> <bR> <div> In the wild pre winter mating occurs as early as March and spring mating probably occurs from about August through to October. From the little data obtained, clutch sizes range from 3 to 7 eggs with the average being 6. David Barker quotes in his book Pythons of Australia, that the average hatchling weight is 7 gms, however hatchlings that I have weighed in the wild have all been 3 gms or less and I know someone who had one captive bred hatchling weigh in at 2 gms. </div> <bR> <div> This may mean that there is perhaps some geographic size variation within its known range or perhaps the specimens that I have encountered had simply used up yolk supply and hence lost weight. Incubation times can vary considerably and the known range has between 43 to 60 days depending of course, on incubation temperature.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div>    <STYLE type="text/css">  </STYLE>   </div> </td> </tr></table></body>