The pygmy python (''Antaresia perthensis''), also known as the anthill python, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of snake found in

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

. Their common names refer to the fact that they are the smallest member of the family

Pythonidae The Pythonidae, commonly known as pythons, are a family of nonvenomous snakes found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Among its members are some of the largest snakes in the world. Ten genera and 42 species are currently recognized. Distributi ...

and are often found in termite mounds. The specific epithet is derived from the state capital,

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

, despite the fact that this place is not within the range of the species. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Description

Adults grow to about in length and have a weight near 210 grams. Neonates are about in length and about 4 grams in weight. After a year they average about 25 grams in weight. This makes them smaller than both Children's python, ''A. childreni'', and the

spotted python The spotted python, also known as the small-blotched python, eastern small-blotched python, or eastern Children's python (''Antaresia maculosa'') is a python species found in northern Australia and New Guinea. It is a popular pet among Australia ...

, ''A. maculosa''. ''A. perthensis'' usually has a redder background ground color than these other species and their spots fade, or become less distinct, as they mature. In contrast, the ground color is lighter in ''childreni'' and ''maculosa'', while their spots stay better defined throughout their life.

Distribution and habitat

Found in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

in the northwest of

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'. According to L.A. Smith (1985), the type locality is unknown.

Housing

In captivity, anthill pythons can be housed (and bred) in something as small as a 20 gallon tank. Although reptile specific enclosures are best, a simple fish tank may be used for short or long-term housing. They may be fed mice as part of their regular diet and supplemented with fuzzy rats. Anything larger is usually a stressor on their system, even though they will still try to eat it. Once anthill pythons get started eating, they rarely refuse a meal except for breeding season or during part of their shedding cycle. After only about 6 months, they still are measured in gram weight due to their small "pocket" size.

Reproduction

The pygmy python is oviparous, with 5-8 eggs per clutch. The females will stay coiled around the eggs (lifting them off the substrate) and incubate them until they hatch, which is usually after 50–60 days.

In captivity

This snake is a popular exotic pet.

References

External links

* * ''Antaresia perthensis'' juveniles and adults available a
AnthillPython.com
Accessed 3 May 2013. {{Taxonbar, from=Q2072566 Pythonidae Reptiles of Western Australia Reptiles described in 1932 Snakes of Australia Taxa named by Olive Griffith Stull