Python molurus

Indian Rock Python is one of the most famous and one of the largest growing snakes of India. In most of the parts of country this is the largest species (excluding North-east where Burmese Python is found in place of Indian Rock Python). Most of the times it can be easily identified by checking its large size, dark irregular patches, pinkish head and slow locomotion.

Scales in 60-75 rows. Ventrals 253-270. Subcaudals 58-73 paired.

DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERES

Head: 

11-13 supralabials; rostral and first two SL pitted; 6th or 7th touches eyes.

Dorsal: 

Smooth scales in 60-75 rows.

Ventral: 

253-270; narrow, anal undivided.

Sub Caudal: 

58-73; divided in Zig-zag manner.

REPRODUCTION

Reproduction oviparous. Mating season begins with winter months to mid-summer. Female lays up to 107 eggs in clutch in caves, mounds or hollow cavities of old trees etc. It guards and incubates them by contracting body muscles. New born seen from July to September. 

SIZE

New born- 40-45cm

Average length- 210-360cm (7ft-12)

Maximum length- 750cm (25ft)

Individuals above 540cm (18ft) are rare 

MORPHOLOGY

Dorsal:

Body thick with shiny smooth scales. Dorsal surface full of irregular shaped patches of dark brown or blackish color; ground dorsal color white mixed with yellow, gray or brown.

Ventral:
Ventral scales much narrower than typical snakes. Color whitish or yellow with dark colour patches mostly near the edge. Both sexes have “spur” (thorn like structure) on each side of anal; larger in males. Subcaudal scales paired in zigzag manner, sometimes few scales found to be unpaired.

Head:

Head triangular, clearly broader than neck. Heat sensitive pits found laterally on snout. Color pinkish-brown in all life forms. In all specimens, arrow shape mark present on posterior side of the head, usually faint in adults. Two streaks, passes from eyes and touches middle and posterior of upper lips. Eyes have vertical pupil; tongue color pinkish-red or purplish with brown spots.

Tail :

Tail short, having dark yellow and black reticulations.

Looks like Common Sand Boa (Eryx conicus),Russell's Viper (Daboia russelli), Burmese Python (Python bivittatus).

BEHAVIOUR

Indian Rock Python is a nocturnal species but can be seen at day time also during basking and opportunistic foraging on prey animals. Activity usually terrestrial but climbs well to good heights and can stay there for roosting. Locomotion slow. Behavior usually non-offensive and try to escape to hide in natural surroundings. On provocation makes coil of body and keeps head slightly above the ground; hiss almost same like Russell's Viper and bites repeatedly if one comes in its attacking range. On catching it tightly coils around catcher's limbs and try to suffocate. 

TROPHIC STRATEGY

Chief food of adults is mammals, monitors, large rodents and birds. Juveniles feed on rodents, lizards, sometimes frogs also.

VENOMOSITY 

Harmless

GENERAL HABITAT

Habitat includes mixed & dry deciduous forests, mangroves, grasslands, rainforests and semi-deserts. Lives in dense vegetation, agricultural land's edge, and rocky hills; prefers water body for activity. Lives in caves, mounds, dense vegetation, old trees etc.