Python anchietae
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Python anchietae (with common names Angolan python and Anchieta's dwarf python)[3] is a python species endemic to southern Africa. According to Donald George Broadley (1990), this species is most closely related to the ball python (P. regius) of western Africa,[3] and no subspecies are currently recognized.[4] It is named after the Portuguese naturalist and explorer José Alberto de Oliveira Anchieta.[5] Like all other pythons, it is not venomous.
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| Python anchietae | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pythonidae |
| Genus: | Python |
| Species: | P. anchietae |
| Binomial name | |
| Python anchietae Bocage, 1887 | |
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| Approximate distribution | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
Python anchietae may grow up to 183 cm (6 ft) in total length (including tail). The color pattern is a reddish-brown to brown to almost black ground, overlaid with irregular white or cream-colored bands and spots. The belly is yellowish. A rare species seldom seen in the wild or in captivity, it is the only python to have "bead-like" head scales.[3] It has heat sensitive pits, five on each side of the head, on the upper lip. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 57-61 rows.[6]
Distribution and habitat
Python anchietae is found in Africa in southern Angola and northern Namibia. The type locality given is "Catumbella [Catumbela]" near Lobito, Angola.[2][4] Habitats are rocky outcrops or areas strewn with rocks in open brush or grassland.[3] Diurnal, they shelter in small caves, overhangs and crevices.
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