African Rock Python Essay

The Afri flowerpot oscillate python. It is Domain Eukarya. Domain is the highest taxonomical rank of organisms, high(prenominal) than a kingdom. The Afri plunder rock python go under Eukarya because it is a multicellular organism composed of eukaryotic cells. It is Kingdom Anamalia. Kingdom is the second highest rank. It falls under Anamalia for obvious primer coats. It is Phylum Chordata. Phylum is the primary division of the plant or physical kingdom. It is Class class Reptilia. Class is a group of related plants or animals, in the general classification of plants and animals. The Afri gouge rock python falls under Reptilia because it has a characteristic of being cold-blooded.It is Order Squamata. Order is a taxonomic rank used in classifying organisms, generally below the class, and comprised of families sharing a set of similar nature or characteristics. The Afri butt joint rock python make their skin periodically and remove very flexible jaws, which be characteristics of Squamata. It is Family family Pythonidae. Organisms be considerable to the same family would give up evolved from the same ancestors and sh be relatively common characteristics. The Pythonidae family is a family of non-venomous ophidians who are powerful constrictors that wrap around their prey to pop it.This family includes the Afri sight rock python. Its Genus Python. In binomial nomenclature, the genus is used as the initiatory word of a scientific name. Its Species Python sebae. Species is the second dissipate of the name is the binomial nomenclature. The name Python Sebae was derived from the Greek mythology, which refers to a huge serpent. The largest ophidian in Africa and the third largest snake in the world, the African rock python, confuse long bulky bodies. Snakes are considered vertebrates because they have a backbone, a shut circulatory system, where the heart and blood vessels are continuously contracting.The blood neer leaves the blood vessels. The outer la yer of the epidermis is thick and lacks glands. It is characterized by ceratin scales. Ranging anywhere from an average surface of 18 to 20 feet long, only can parent up to 28 feet long The females are larger than the males and can weigh almost 300lbs. However the size may vary fit in to their inseparable habitat. It is amazing to none that in areas where there is a higher population, the size of the African rock python has been minuscularer in size, as compared to areas where humane habitat is less the African stir Python snake is much large in ize.African Rock Pythons are often tan with cook spots that have black outlines. This services them camouflage in the environment, and gives them an advantage to break a port their prey or hide from potential predators. This is considered cryptic camouflage. A V-shape perceptibly marks the face. This python is non-venomous, and has teeth curved inward to help pull in prey when alimentation. Like all pythons, the scales of the A frican rock python are small and smooth, and those nearby the lips control heat-sensitive pits, which are used to distinguish warm-blooded prey, take down up in the dark.Pythons also possess two functioning lungs, unlike much advanced snakes which have scarce one, and also have small, visible pelvic spurs, gestated to be the remnants of hind limbs. It is said that snakes are evolved from lizards that burrowed in tunnels or in water, and the use of hind legs made it harder for them to burrow. Over time there legs started to grow shorter and eventually becoming useless, leaving behind what is now copen as there spurs, located right before the anus. The rate of this growing occurred at a slow constant pace over millions of divisions.This evidence of evolution would be considered phylogeny, the evolutionary relationship among species. African rock pythons reside in sub-Saharan Africa, merely prefer evergreen forests or moist, open savannahs. You leave always most likely find an African rock python associated with water and often are found near rivers and lakes. The African rock python has of late been found on the loose in Florida. Not many know how the massive snake happened to come about in Florida. Many believe they were released purposely, because the owner or breeder was unequipped for the intensity of this particular snake.A frightening constituent has arisen since the African rock python has inhabited the south Florida territory. The Burmese python has already established foothold in the Everglades. The alarm of a reinvigorated Super Snake breed arising if the Burmese and African rock python were to mate, take aims fear that a hybrid python may be on the rise in the Everglades. Knowing that the African rock is bigger and more aggressive than the Burmese python which is about 17 feet long, the super snake would surpass that length. It would not only hamper the ecosystem but would also be dangerous for families with small children.The python functions by smelling food with its tongue, flicking it up and down. Although the African rock python are already powerful on land, this brainy serpent employs an even more staggering tactic underwater. Ever adaptable, the pythons that reside near water thrive on fish. Much older snakes can use the water to its advantage and hunt greater prey. They can remain under water and every 30 minutes come up to take a discrete breath. It uses heat-sensing organs, called photoreceptors to follow warm-blooded prey. Because the African rock python is non-venomous it squeezes its food.Every time the prey exhales, the python constricts a little more, so that inhalation becomes increasingly difficult. Death is caused mostly by cardiac arrest rather than myths or urban legends articulating that their prey was grim to death. African rock pythons, as well as every python, are carnivores. Their diet consists of large rodents, monkeys, antelopes, crocodiles, dogs, goats, and poultry . They have str ong acids inside their endorse which helps them to digest their food. It is rare of the African rock python hunting for humans.After eating a large animal, the python needs no food for a long time, and may rest for weeks. In this engorged state, it is most vulnerable to bombardment by predators. In most themes if the snake feels threatened it will ptyalize the food and escape to shelter. African Rock Python becomes sexually active as early as 3-5 years old and reproduce during the spring. The female snake lets out a pheromone which attracts the male snake to mate. During the breeding season some(prenominal) the sexes fast and the female continues the fast till the eggs are hatched. African rock pythons fall under the subclass protheria.They are oviparous, meaning they reproduce by laying eggs, which hatch outside the mothers body. Surprisingly the python shows clean-cut mother instincts by coiling around the eggs, protecting them from predators, and incubating the eggs to help with development until they hatch, which is about 90 days. Which makes this species rather interesting as parenting is kinda a foreign concept to reptiles. Hatchlings are between 1824 inches in length, and have temper when born. Some are cognize to strike when hatching. They are nearly identical to adults, except with more distinguishing colors.African Rock Python can live up to 12 years in bonkers however they can live up to 30 years in captivity. It is said that the African rock python is does not run the risk of extinction, but is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International vocation in Endangered Species (CITES). There is a high demand for the pythons skin and meat in the market, mostly to make leather, belts and purses. Exporting of these foreign animals is known to be illegal. Some of the African rock pythons habitats are also known to be under threat due to end for the oil industry.In some cases the African rock python might be a prey to hyenas or the African wild dogs during their digestion period, but deflexion from humans, adult African rock pythons have very few natural predators due to their large size. For the reason that these species can reach significant sizes, their constrict power must be respected. Most cases found of African rock pythons swallowing a crocodile whole, later to be found that the crocodile was not digested and penetrated the skin of the python. Although this species can easily kill an adult, there are only a few cases in which the victim, in most cases a child, was actually consumed.Rare cases have been reported of an African rock python consuming a 10 year old boy, or attempting to eat a child. In another case a 13 year old was swallowed, but the python was forced to project the body. The African rock python began being known as Man-eating snake. This factor of their strength, as well as size, separates this python from most other snakes. Maybe even all reptiles for that matter. African rock pythons have b een known to go by and by monitor lizards, which are known to very aggressive and strong.This is one reason why African rock pythons should not be considered a first pet for someone who wants to own a snake. People who are ill-equipped owners or breeders do not know what to expect and end up getting ahead of themselves, and can no longer handle a beast that they just irresponsibly release them, no knowing what their actions have lead to. The African rock python has many fascinating features, from the way they hunt, the way they eat, live, breed, how big of an importance they to the environment not only around animals but humans as well.Its amazing at how big they can get and to know exactly how powerful they can be. The types of animals they can puzzle down are twice their size. Their lifestyle captures my attention. Besides the fact, that I am attracted to exotic pets, I own a Royal python, commonly known as a Ball python. Similar to the African rock python, the wrap python is c onsidered more docile and smaller in length and hopefully size in the future, but it is still a dangerous animal and should not be handled lightly. This research paper has added to my knowledge of the African rock python as well as other common snakes.I have learn that what may seem to be a harmless hatchling at birth, can grow into an overgrown, powerful killing machine. This is also known as bootleg attraction. I know that if I wanted to know release my bullock block python into the wild I would know how to do it properly. The choice of owning a python, or any snake for that matter , is a choice that needs to be taken seriously, these animals require attention, a stable and healthy living environment, and patience. You never know what to expect from them or when to expect something from them.