Python

MFA Acc. #: 17.2060a-b

Description

A large, nonvenomous snake (family Pythonidae) native to India, Africa, southeast Asia, Australia, and the East Indies. Pythons can grown in length to 10 meters. They kill by constriction. Pythons have been hunted to near the point of extinction for their meat and skins. Their leather has been used for cases, purses, shoes, and decoration. Similar large snakes include the boa and the anaconda (both of thefamily Boidae and native to central and South America).

Synonyms and Related Terms

boa constrictor; anaconda

Additional Images

• 

  Python regius

Authority

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "python" Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. [Accessed 25 Jan. 2006].

• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python (Accessed Jan. 25, 2006)