Dark tiger python. Inside the python: the dissection of a Burmese snake shocked scientists Making your own associative array
Nursery rhyme about Robin Bobbin, who ate forty people, ceases to be funny and absurd when it comes to... pythons. Scientists in Florida were shocked by what they discovered after a necropsy of a Burmese python in its stomach.
A new study published in the journal BioInvasion Records documents a case of rather unusual and rare behavior by the snake. A female Burmese python ate three white-tailed deer over the course of 87 days. She set a kind of gluttony record. From South-East Asia, this aggressive specimen was captured (and subsequently euthanized) by Florida Everglades scientists in 2013.
Snakes are part of the entire world's ecosystem and are able to penetrate the most inaccessible places. In southern Florida, the Burmese python has made its way through thousands of square kilometers, including the Everglades National Park.
The presence of pythons in the Everglades has marked a marked decline in the numbers of medium- and large-sized animals, including deer, rabbits, bobcats and raccoons.
When scientists found this individual, its length was 4.32 m and its weight was 48.3 kg. A subsequent necropsy revealed a huge amount of feces in the colon of the snake, which was 79 cm long and weighed 6.5 kg. An examination of the undigested mass of bones, teeth and hooves inside the python revealed that the snake had eaten three white-tailed deer. Incredibly, each of the deer represented 93%, 35% and 27% of the python's mass. Obviously, the small "doles" are fawns that are approximately 14 - 30 days old. The python was hiding in the water, capturing the deer when they came to drink.
This is the first famous case autopsy of a Burmese python whose intestines contained the remains of several white-tailed deer, the researchers commented. - Even the most big snakes southern Florida are not capable of consuming medium-sized mammals. Consequently, pythons brought here from other territories represent new threat white-tailed deer populations in their habitats.
Eating three deer in three months is an indication of the snake's impressive metabolism. A mammal of approximately the same mass cannot survive eating three times every three months. However, even with such a small feeding schedule, predatory snakes are clearly disrupting Florida's ecosystem.
The Snakes are a particularly successful group" invasive species" due to their slow metabolism, low energy requirements, diversity of species consumed and high reproductive potential.
Indeed, the wonderful specimen with three deer in its intestines demonstrates this perfectly. As the authors of the paper write, “the significant amount of energy obtained during deer consumption clearly contributed to the deposition large quantity fat and development of follicles found inside the female python, necessary for the snake to enter a high growth rate and ensure reproductive success - essential components implementation into any new ecosystem."
Which is considered one of the largest in the world. In 2005, the reptile of this species was recognized as the heaviest in the world. With a length of 8.2 m, it weighed 183 kg.
Appearance
Your name this type reptiles received thanks to a color reminiscent of a tiger. The length of the tiger python reaches 8 m, and sometimes more. The body of this snake is olive or yellowish-brown in color, with large dark brown spots scattered throughout. A dark arrow-shaped spot can be seen on the tiger python’s head. Among them there are also albinos - individuals who do not have protective pigmentation. In nature, the albino tiger python is very rare, since the lack of protective coloring dooms it to death already in early childhood. However, due to the unusually beautiful appearance, such individuals are very popular among snake lovers. Therefore, they began to artificially breed them.
Habitat
The tiger python lives in the vastness of the Southeast and, in particular, it is common in countries such as Pakistan, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal. As a rule, representatives of this species can be found in swamps, sparse forests, as well as on rocky foothills and fields.
Lifestyle
The tiger python is a sedentary reptile that prefers to hunt at night. Said snake ambushes its prey, then bites it and suffocates it with its body. Tiger pythons feed on rodents, various birds, monkeys and small ungulates. There are even known cases when individuals of this species attacked jackals, leopards, wild boars and crocodiles. Most often, tiger pythons can be found near bodies of water, because they feel good in water. They can swim and dive. These snakes can also climb trees. Their life expectancy is 20-25 years.
In nature, there are 3 subspecies of tiger pythons:
- Indian python.
- Burmese python.
- Ceylon tiger python.
The largest of these is the Burmese, or dark tiger python. Its length varies between 6 and 8 meters (maximum - 9.15 m), and its weight is about 70 kg. In addition, it has the darkest color, which is clearly visible in the photo of the python. At the same time, it has many color variations. This subspecies is often kept in terrariums.
The smaller one is the Indian one, which is also called the light tiger python. Its length is 6 m. It is distinguished by a lighter color. This subspecies is included in the Red Book. Due to hunting, its population is constantly decreasing. The skin of these snakes is used to make wallets, boots, belts, etc. The Ceylon subspecies is considered the smallest among tiger pythons. Its length rarely exceeds 3 m. In appearance it strongly resembles an Indian python. You can distinguish the Ceylonese by the reddish color of its head.
How often do Burmese pythons feed? and got the best answer
Reply from ***T@tian@***[guru]
Interestingly, with such an “inconvenient” diet, the python digests its food quite quickly. Otherwise, having, for example, a swallowed calf in its digestive tract, the snake naturally becomes extremely clumsy and can easily become someone’s prey.
Answer from Victoria[guru]
He often hunts animals that come to drink. In addition to ungulates, monkeys and rodents, it attacks small crocodiles, monitor lizards, agamas and other reptiles
Burmese pythons are one of the largest snakes in the world - reaching eight meters in length and weighing up to 180 kilograms. As a rule, these snakes avoid people. They are considered quite dangerous, as they can curl up around a person and easily crush him to death.
Quite recently there was news that in the United States a python that was trying to digest a two-meter alligator was torn in half. Today, a new episode of a Burmese python became known, in which a suspicious bulge was found on its body. In the US state of Florida, a Burmese python with a suspicious bulge in its abdomen was subjected to an x-ray examination, which showed that the reptile had eaten a Siamese cat. Last Sunday, the Rodriguez family discovered a 3.5-meter python near their home in Miami. A large bulge was observed in the digestive tract of the snake. Since the family's one-year-old Siamese cat named Frances had recently gone missing, the Rodriguezes suspected the worst. “I’m sure he has a cat inside,” said Andres, one of the sons. His mother, Elidia, also had suspicions, but she said that she needed to make sure. “I still want to know for sure that it’s him in the stomach,” the woman said. The found python was taken to the reserve, where it underwent an x-ray examination, which determined that the python had actually eaten the Siamese cat. “The x-ray showed that the bulge in the piton’s stomach was the cat it had eaten,” said veterinarian William Chavez.
Answer from Cover Vladimir[guru]
Three subspecies of these reptiles are known: this is the Indian light tiger python Python molurus molurus, snake average size, usually does not exceed 4 meters, but six-meter specimens are also known. Distributed in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh. The coloring of this subspecies is lighter than the other two. Due to intensive development natural places The habitat range of the Indian python has sharply decreased. Currently, pythons are found in protected areas and national parks in the south and southeast of India. The Indian light tiger python is protected by law, included in the national and international Red Data Books, and in the first appendix of CITES lists. It is bred in captivity, but is extremely rare in amateur terrariums.
Ceylon tiger python - Python m. Pimbura is the smallest of the tiger pythons. Usually its length does not exceed 2 - 3 meters. Outwardly similar to the light tiger python, with which it was previously united into one subspecies. In addition to size, it differs from the Indian python in the shape of its head. Python m. Pimbura is endemic to the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), inhabiting the few forests and jungles that have remained intact. Included in the national and international Red Books, and in the second appendix of CITES lists. Due to its small size, it is a desirable species for terrarium lovers to keep, but it is quite expensive and rare, bred in captivity.
And finally the Dark Tiger Python - P. m. bivittatus is the largest, brightest and most common python from this group in the collections of zoos and terrariums. Darker in color than other subspecies (hence the name), inhabits mountainous rain forests(this is what is called the “mountain Burmese python”) of Southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Northern Thailand, Laos, Burma. The mountains rise to 1800 m above sea level. It reaches a length of up to 7 m, but in a terrarium it is usually about 4-5 m, and some of its morphs are even smaller. P. m. bivittatus is included in the second appendix of CITES listings. Currently, there are quite a lot of morphs and color variations of this python in the world.
Young pythons are fed once every 7-10 days, adults once every 10-20 days, appropriate in size food objects: mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, poultry. Typically, pythons are not picky eaters and will absorb any food given to them that is suitable in size, although sometimes there are exceptions that specialize in one food preference, for example poultry, so when purchasing an animal you need to inquire about its taste preferences. Sometimes teenage pythons and adult animals can refuse food and starve for 1-6 months without harm to their health. This is due to the imitation of natural seasonality, wintering, skin change, sexual behavior, etc.
Answer from Igor Pavlov[guru]
Burmese pythons can feed only a few times a year, digesting their victims without leaving any residue. According to research by biologist Robert K. Pope of Indiana University South Bend and his colleague Jean-Hervé Lignot of the Université Louis Pasteur, the secret natural “talent” – in a special type of cell, previously unknown to science.
The digestive characteristics of Burmese pythons are truly amazing. These animals manage to absorb food twice their weight in one sitting. In addition, they eat quite rarely.
Interestingly, with such an “inconvenient” diet, the python digests its food quite quickly. Otherwise, having, for example, a swallowed calf in its digestive tract, the snake naturally becomes extremely clumsy and can easily become someone’s prey.
The mechanical basis of this process lies in the ability internal organs python to stretching. But for a long time it was not clear how absorption occurs - after all, the Burmese python somehow digests food completely (with the exception, perhaps, of feathers and down).
As Pope and Ligno discovered, this digestion is accomplished by a special type of cell they call decoy cells. These cells are shaped like depressions on the intestinal wall. During digestion, they come into contact with food, and the microvilli of neighboring cells “catch” its particles, placing them inside the trap cell.
These cells accumulate particles of bone tissue, which then undergo further breakdown.
According to Pope, the main "job" of trap cages is to help assimilate as much as possible. more calcium.
Researchers claim that cells of this type are not found in other living beings.!!! 
How often do Burmese pythons feed? and got the best answer
Reply from ***T@tian@***[guru]
Interestingly, with such an “inconvenient” diet, the python digests its food quite quickly. Otherwise, having, for example, a swallowed calf in its digestive tract, the snake naturally becomes extremely clumsy and can easily become someone’s prey.
Answer from Victoria[guru]
He often hunts animals that come to drink. In addition to ungulates, monkeys and rodents, it attacks small crocodiles, monitor lizards, agamas and other reptiles
Burmese pythons are one of the largest snakes in the world - reaching eight meters in length and weighing up to 180 kilograms. As a rule, these snakes avoid people. They are considered quite dangerous, as they can curl up around a person and easily crush him to death.
Quite recently there was news that in the United States a python that was trying to digest a two-meter alligator was torn in half. Today, a new episode of a Burmese python became known, in which a suspicious bulge was found on its body. In the US state of Florida, a Burmese python with a suspicious bulge in its abdomen was subjected to an x-ray examination, which showed that the reptile had eaten a Siamese cat. Last Sunday, the Rodriguez family discovered a 3.5-meter python near their home in Miami. A large bulge was observed in the digestive tract of the snake. Since the family's one-year-old Siamese cat named Frances had recently gone missing, the Rodriguezes suspected the worst. “I’m sure he has a cat inside,” said Andres, one of the sons. His mother, Elidia, also had suspicions, but she said that she needed to make sure. “I still want to know for sure that it’s him in the stomach,” the woman said. The found python was taken to the reserve, where it underwent an x-ray examination, which determined that the python had actually eaten the Siamese cat. “The x-ray showed that the bulge in the piton’s stomach was the cat it had eaten,” said veterinarian William Chavez.
Answer from Cover Vladimir[guru]
Three subspecies of these reptiles are known: this is the Indian light tiger python Python molurus molurus, a medium-sized snake, usually not exceeding 4 meters, but six-meter specimens are also known. Distributed in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh. The coloring of this subspecies is lighter than the other two. Due to the intensive development of natural habitats, the range of the Indian python has sharply decreased. Currently, pythons are found in protected and national parks in the south and southeast of India. The Indian light tiger python is protected by law, included in the national and international Red Data Books, and in the first appendix of CITES lists. It is bred in captivity, but is extremely rare in amateur terrariums.
Ceylon tiger python - Python m. Pimbura is the smallest of the tiger pythons. Usually its length does not exceed 2 - 3 meters. Outwardly similar to the light tiger python, with which it was previously united into one subspecies. In addition to size, it differs from the Indian python in the shape of its head. Python m. Pimbura is endemic to the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), inhabiting the few forests and jungles that have remained intact. Included in the national and international Red Books, and in the second appendix of CITES lists. Due to its small size, it is a desirable species for terrarium lovers to keep, but it is quite expensive and rare, bred in captivity.
And finally the Dark Tiger Python - P. m. bivittatus is the largest, brightest and most common python from this group in the collections of zoos and terrariums. It is darker in color than other subspecies (hence the name), inhabits mountain rain forests (it is called the “mountain Burmese python”) of Southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Northern Thailand, Laos, Burma. The mountains rise to 1800 m above sea level. It reaches a length of up to 7 m, but in a terrarium it is usually about 4-5 m, and some of its morphs are even smaller. P. m. bivittatus is included in the second appendix of CITES listings. Currently, there are quite a lot of morphs and color variations of this python in the world.
Young pythons are fed once every 7-10 days, adults once every 10-20 days, with food items of appropriate size: mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, poultry. Typically, pythons are not picky eaters and will absorb any food given to them that is suitable in size, although sometimes there are exceptions that specialize in one food preference, for example poultry, so when purchasing an animal you need to inquire about its taste preferences. Sometimes teenage pythons and adult animals can refuse food and starve for 1-6 months without harm to their health. This is due to the imitation of natural seasonality, wintering, skin change, sexual behavior, etc.
Answer from Igor Pavlov[guru]
Burmese pythons can feed only a few times a year, digesting their victims without leaving any residue. According to research by biologist Robert K. Pope of Indiana University South Bend and his colleague Jean-Hervé Lignot of the Université Louis Pasteur, the secret natural “talent” – in a special type of cell, previously unknown to science.
The digestive characteristics of Burmese pythons are truly amazing. These animals manage to absorb food twice their weight in one sitting. In addition, they eat quite rarely.
Interestingly, with such an “inconvenient” diet, the python digests its food quite quickly. Otherwise, having, for example, a swallowed calf in its digestive tract, the snake naturally becomes extremely clumsy and can easily become someone’s prey.
The mechanical basis of this process lies in the ability of the python’s internal organs to stretch. But for a long time it was not clear how digestion occurs - after all, the Burmese python somehow digests food completely (with the exception, perhaps, of feathers and down).
As Pope and Ligno discovered, this digestion is accomplished by a special type of cell they call decoy cells. These cells are shaped like depressions on the intestinal wall. During digestion, they come into contact with food, and the microvilli of neighboring cells “catch” its particles, placing them inside the trap cell.
These cells accumulate particles of bone tissue, which then undergo further breakdown.
According to Pope, the main "job" of the trap cells is to help absorb as much calcium as possible.
Researchers claim that cells of this type are not found in other living beings.!!!
If you write in Python, you've probably seen method definitions wrapped in double underscores in standard libraries. These "magic" methods form many of the useful interfaces that you use all the time - for example, when you get a value from an element number or print something. These methods can and should be used in your programs. I'll show you how now.
In general, any well-designed language defines a set of conventions and enforces them in its standard library. Agreements may concern both external signs, such as naming syntax (CamelCase, snake_case) and object behavior. Python is a very consistent language in this sense.
The syntax in Python is not extensible, but the interfaces for interaction between objects are well defined and accessible to any developer. Unlike Java, Python has no formal concept of class interfaces; any class can expose any interface, just define methods with the desired names and arguments and ensure that their behavior is as expected.
Interfaces in Python
Because Python is dynamically typed, it is not possible to check the class of an object at compile time. The capabilities for specifying type annotations from Python 3.5 are intended primarily for external static analyzers and are not used at runtime. Explicitly checking a class using type() is considered bad form.
As a last resort, you can use isinstance() - unlike type(), this function returns True not only for the class itself, but also for all its descendants. Type() checking will break in inheritance, which is why people treat it so badly.
Object interfaces are defined by so-called magic methods. By convention, their names are surrounded by double underscores. The __init__() method, which serves as a class constructor, is an example everyone knows. Almost every standard operation, including formatted output and arithmetic, is implemented in some magical way.
To demonstrate, we will write a primitive and slow implementation of an associative array based on a list of tuples, “identical to the natural one” in terms of the interface.
Making your own associative array
The implementation will be very simple - a linked list of key-value pairs. For example, the equivalent of an associative array (1:2, 3:4) would be [(1, 2), (3, 4)] . It is much slower than the built-in one: for example, searching for the value of an element by key will require O(n) operations, while the built-in one requires O(1). For demonstration, however, it will do just fine.
We'll call our class Assoc. Let's define a class and its constructor:
Class Assoc(object): def __init__(self, contents=): self._contents = contents
For ease of testing, we made it possible to pass the initial value in a constructor like Assoc([(1,2), (3,4)]) .
Adding String Representations
There are two in Python different methods to get a string representation of objects: __repr__ and __str__ . The difference between the two is subtle, but significant: __repr__ is designed to produce a valid Python expression that can be used to create the same object. This is not always possible, so in practice for many objects it simply returns something that allows the developer to identify the object, like
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