Python And Other Snake Skins example essay topic

Throughout history, humans have regarded snakes with both fascination and horror. In man y cultures, Snakes with have been symbols of evil, from the Biblical serpent in the Garden of Eden to the snake demons of Indian mythology. To the ancient Egyptians the emblem of judgment and death was a snake. However, The Indian Python is a highly arboreal snake, once fairly common throughout the jungles of India, Sri Lanka, and East Indies. Snakes are reptiles, the group of animals that also includes crocodiles, lizards, and turtles. Pythons are the most ancient type of snake; they have remnant spurs, tiny projections where their ancestors might once have had legs.

In the wild, Indian pythons can grow from 10 to 20 feet. They length might weigh 100 or 150 pounds. The average weight for Indian pythons is 50 to 100 pounds. The Indian Python is one of the world's largest snakes. Like the boas anacondas of the Americas, the python is a constrictor, a snake that kills its prey. Pythons drape across tree branches, camouflaged by their light and dark patterned skin, waiting to ambush their next meal.

They grab their prey with a quick lashing out of the head, then wrap themselves around the prey so it cannot breathe. A large python could squeeze the life out of a deer, and amazingly enough, the python could then swallow it whole. Mammals are preferred prey, but they will eat birds, other animals, even fish. They often live near water and are good swimmer. After such a big meal, the snake may not have to eat again for as long as a year.

There are very few authenticated accounts of humans being attacked by pythons, though it certainly is possible since the largest python recorded was over 32 feet (9.8 m) long. Like all pythons and the boas to which they are related, Indian Python is non-venomous. They have teeth which they use to hold onto prey while the giant body squeezes against the creature until it stops breathing. Then, they would swallows their food whole. A python may live more than 20 years.

They are solitary creatures, but males and females seek each other out to mate. The female Indian Python lays as many as 60 eggs at a time, usually in rock crevices or tree holes. The mother remains with her eggs, and the female coils about her eggs to incubate them. Young pythons have many natural enemies, including eagles, crocodiles, large cats such as leopards and tigers, and hyenas. Newly hatched Indian may pythons range from 18-24 inches (46-61 cm) in length.

Young snakes leave the nest soon after hatching, and their fist shed usually occurs within seven to ten days during their first year of life, and they can double or triple in length. In addition, for centuries, humans have killed pythons out of fear. Snakes of all kinds are also hunted for food, skins, and blood believed to have medicinal values. The Indian Python's jungle habitat is disappearing as trees cut down, and mankind moving to their habitat. Moreover, live snakes are being killed in the Thai markets so customers can drink the fresh blood, thought to impart vitality. Python and other snake skins are made into fashionable accessories such as purses, shoes, and belts.

Snakes often are skinned alive so as not to mar the skin and reduce their commercial value. Even before snakeskin boots were fashionable, pythons were considered a trophy species and hunted heavily by Europeans. More recently, they have become sought after for the pet trade and for zoos. In conclusion, Indian Pythons Play a major role for the people of India.

They are very good controlling pest species, such as rodents, rabbits, and insects. In some areas where humans have eradicated snakes, mice and rodents that carry disease have become serious threats to human health.