|
The African rock python (''Python sebae'') is a large, nonvenomous snake of sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of 11 living species in the genus ''Python''. It has two subspecies; one is found in Central and Western Africa, the other in Southern Africa. Africa's largest snake and one of the six largest snake species in the world (along with the green anaconda, reticulated python, Burmese python, Indian python, and amethystine python), specimens may approach or exceed . The southern subspecies is generally smaller than its northern relative. The snake is found in a variety of habitats, from forests to near deserts, although usually near sources of water. The African rock python kills its prey by constriction and often eats animals up to the size of antelope, occasionally even crocodiles. The snake reproduces by egg-laying. Unlike most snakes, the female protects her nest and sometimes even her hatchlings. The snake is widely feared, though it very rarely kills humans. Although the snake is not endangered, it does face threats from habitat reduction and hunting. ==Taxonomy and etymology== The African rock python is one of seven species in the genus ''Python'', large constricting snakes found in the moist tropics of Asia and Africa. It is divided into two subspecies, ''P. s. sebae'' (the nominate subspecies) and ''P. s. natalensis'' (the Southern African rock python). Some consider the more southerly population of this snake to be a separate species, ''Python natalensis'',〔〔 while others consider this form to be a subspecies.〔〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.cites.org/ )〕 ''P. sebae'' was first described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin, a German naturalist, in 1788. Therefore, he is also the author of the nominate subspecies. The southern subspecies was first identified by Sir Andrew Smith, the father of South African zoology, in 1833.〔〔 ''Python'' is a Greek word referring to the enormous serpent at Delphi slain by Apollo in Greek Mythology. ''Sebae'' is a Latinization of Dutch zoologist, Albertus Seba.〔 ''Natalensis'' refers to the Natal region of South Africa. Common name usage varies with both the species and northern subspecies referred to as African rock python or simply rock python. The Southern African rock python is sometimes referred to as the Natal rock python〔Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.〕 or the African python.〔Ditmars RL. 1933. Reptiles of the World. Revised Edition. The MacMillan Company.〕'' 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「African rock python」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|