Perusing Pythons Trivia Quiz

Answer: Africa, Asia and Australia

Python is actually a genus, which describes 17 species of snake. This genus is part of the Pythonidae family, which describes a further 9 species. (A python is defined as any member of the Pythonidae family).

A number of Burmese pythons (a sub-species of the Indian python) can now be found in the Everglades. These are believed to have escaped from animal homes which were damaged by the 2005 Hurricane Katrina, though most are believed to have been abandoned in the wetlands by exotic animal keepers. The booming numbers of these large constrictors is worrying the Floridians, as many rare creatures (as well as pets) are being killed.

Answer: Pythons suffocate their prey, anacondas crush them

Both pythons and anacondas are constrictors, but neither crushes their prey to death. Instead, they apply constant pressure, which causes either death by asphyxiation or cardiac arrest.

Whilst pythons belong to the Pythonidae family, anacondas are boas and so belong to the Boidae family. Anacondas (made up of three species - green, yellow and dark spotted) are more adapted to life in water, and this can be seen in their eyes, which are located on the tops of their heads.

Answer: False

Snakes do not have a fixed number of vertebrae, but the number can reach over 300 in some species!

The giraffe has the same number of neck vertebrae as a human (7), but each bone is extremely elongated. If this quality was also present in pythons, the snakes would be nowhere near as agile as they are.

Answer: To grip females during mating

It is believed that snakes evolved from burrowing lizards around 150 million years ago.

Whilst the python can grow in excess of 20 ft, their vestigial limbs are only a few inches long, and the majority of this is made up of nail rather than bone.

Answer: They are too heavy

The rectilinear method involves the contraction of certain rib muscles, which act to drag the large snake along on its belly. As a result, the scales on the underside of the python are broad and extra tough.

The rectilinear method is actually the slowest form of locomotion in snakes. Nevertheless, and despite the hindrance of having no limbs, pythons are very mobile.

Answer: An extra set of upper teeth "walk" along the prey

Pythons possess two sets of upper jaws. Both left and right sides of each jaw can move independently of each other, and so can literally walk their way along the prey.

The teeth are needle sharp and are curved inwards, thus exploiting the reaction of prey to pull away once bitten.

Answer: By pushing part of the windpipe (the glottis) out as a snorkel

The left and right side of both the upper and lower jaws are not fused and so can open very wide. Moreover, an intermediate quadrate bone connects the lower jaw to the skull, meaning that the vertical span of the python's jaw is also vast. Even with these incredible adaptations, there is still no room for air to pass, and so the windpipe of the large snake is pushed out through the side of its mouth, where it acts as a snorkel.

The windpipe is kept open by stiff cartilage.

Answer: True

Being cold-blooded creatures, the total amount of food required by pythons is far lower than that required by mammals of a similar size, as mammals must maintain a constant body temperature using energy from food. When a large meal does come along, however, the python is very well prepared.

The stomach acid of the python is incredibly strong and the intestines swell to several times their original size before receiving food. This requires a huge amount of energy and so pythons will be largely inactive for several hours/days after a large meal.

Answer: Infrared rays

Most pythons have three holes (or pits) above their top lip, which are responsible for their unique heat-sensing ability. (Some python's "pits" are located on the lower jaw.)

Contrary to popular belief, snakes are not deaf; though it is true that they have no external ears. Snakes actually "hear" vibrations by laying their jaw on the ground and are able to detect sound waves as we do, though to a lesser extent.

The most effective sense possessed by a snake is its taste/smell. The tongue-flicks of snakes allow chemicals in the air to be detected by the Jacobson's organ. Also, the forked quality of a snake's tongue allows chemicals from the right to be compared with those on the left, meaning that the direction of prey can be easily determined.

Answer: They have only one kidney

The organs of pythons are hugely elongated, so as to fit them into their slim, tubular bodies. Paired organs are placed one in front of the other so as to save space.

The majority of a python's body is dedicated to muscle and fat. The fat is primarily for energy, not insulation. Females in particular have large stores of fat, as egg production requires lots of energy.