Posted by:
Kelly_Haller
at Fri Aug 18 18:47:49 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Kelly_Haller ]
The ocular scale configuration will not help you much to distinguish molurus of Indian origin from molurus found on Sri Lanka as they are usually identical. The main keys are mostly pattern differences. The almost total lack of the arrow pattern on top of the head when adults, and a large number of "H" pattern blotches on the body will indicate a specimen from Sri Lanka. Indian molurus will still maintain the latter half of the arrow marking on the head and not show the well defined "H" pattern shapes like the Sri Lanka pythons. I have attached below a few photos of my Sri Lanka animals that will help with the ID. The head photo shows the upper labial in contact with the orbit as is also the case with Indian molurus. The other photo of the anterior body shows the characteristic "H" markings. The photo of the large specimen shows that not all Sri Lanka specimens are aggressive. Mine are more nervous than mainland molurus, but can be easily handled. They are CITES Appendix I and are synonymous with Indian molurus for enforcement purposes. Animals already in the U.S. are not under CITES jurisdiction, but are governed by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Full grown adult females average 10 to 12 feet, with adult males averaging around 7 or 8 feet.
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This should help with your question..... - Kelly_Haller, Fri Aug 18 18:47:49 2006 