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What Makes Pythons Different From Other Giant Snakes?

The python family consist of 26 different types of snakes. The reticulated, Burmese and African rock are the largest. They are all constrictors and slowly squeeze their prey to death causing asphyxiation. They live in tropical zones in Africa, Asia and Australia. They are not found naturally in North or South America, although they have been introduced into the Florida Everglades and are considered invasive species. Python was the name of the giant serpent appointed by Mother Earth to guard the oracle at Delphi, according to Greek mythology.

The Boidae Family
- Green anacondas are the world's biggest snakes.
  
  There are five main families of snakes: Colubridae, Boidae, Viperidae, Elapidae and Hydrophiidae. Nearly two-thirds of the world's snakes come from the Colubridae family, which are mainly non-poisonous snakes. The Boidae family is the home of most of the world's giant snakes. The African rock python, the reticulated python and the anaconda are three of the world's largest snakes and all reside in this family.
Similarities Between Anacondos and Pythons
- An anaconda is actually a boa.
  
  Both pythons and anacondas are indeed giant snakes. An adult anaconda averages 15 feet in length; the largest ever recorded was 28 feet with a 44 inch girth. The average adult reticulated python reaches 18 feet while the longest ever recorded was 33 feet, according to Extreme Science. Both anacondas and pythons are constrictors, meaning they kill their prey by suffocating it. Incidentally, the anacondas are actually considered boas and not a separate group of snakes.
Differences Between Boas and Pythons
- Anacondas spend more time in the water than pythons do.
  
  The two largest snakes in the world are the reticulated python and the green anaconda. Reticulated pythons are actually longer, but the anacondas have more girth. One big difference between the two is their range. Anacondas live in the Amazon Basin in South America and Trinidad, while pythons live in Africa, India and Southeast Asia. Pythons have one more bone in their head than boas do, and they have more teeth. Pythons do spend time in the water, but they also live in trees and on the ground. Adult anacondas spend a majority of their time in water.
Birthing
- The biggest difference between the two types of giant snakes is they way they give birth to young: pythons lay eggs, boas give birth to live young. Python moms actively protect their eggs and even warm them if they get too cold, but once they are hatched the babies are on their own. Boa babies are hatched live through an opening called the cloaca. They are encased in a membrane once they are delivered, from which they must break out. Like the pythons, the boa babies can expect no protection from mom once they are birthed and must fend for themselves.

Animals & Science