Ian,

This python does not show any of the three main characteristics that distinguish P. curtus. The main feature it lacks is the absence of a lighter border around the edges of the dorsal blotches. Look carefully at all of your adult Sumatran Short-tails and you will see they all have dorsal blotches that are not outlined in lighter pigment and they clearly blend into the background coloration uninterrupted. The lateral side blotches are almost always outlined by white in P. curtus, but never the dorsal blotches. The python in question does show numerous dorsal blotches clearly bordered in a lighter color and could therefore not be P. curtus.



I copied and enlarged the photo and looked closely at the head and eye scalation. While somewhat fuzzy, I could not see any evidence of small subocular scales on this python and it appeared that the supralabials were in direct contact with the orbit. And lastly, while it was very difficult to tell without a much better photo, it did appear that the anterior parietal scales were in broad contact, something you would not see in P. curtus. However, these last two items would need to be verified with a much clearer photo.



I still believe this to be a hybrid, as it shows conflicting traits. However, it could also possibly be a brongersmai X curtus hybrid.



Kelly

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