Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Indian Rock Python is one of the most famous and one of the largest growing snake of India. In most of the parts of country this is the largest species (excluding North-east where Burmese Python is found in pleace of Indian Rock Python). Most of the times it can be easily identified by checking its large size, dark irregular patches, pinkish head and slow locomotion.

Reproduction oviparous. Mating season begins with winter months to mid summer. Female lays up to 107 eggs in clutch in caves, mounds or hollow cavities of old trees etc. It guards and incubates them by contracting body muscles. New born seen from July to September. 

New born- 40-45cm. Average length- 210-360cm (7ft-12). Maximum length- 750cm (25ft). Individuals above 540cm (18ft) are rare. 

Common Sand Boa (Eryx conicus)
Russell's Viper (Daboia russelli)
Burmese Python (Python bivittatus)

Indian Rock Python is a nocturnal species but can be seen at day time also during basking and opportunistic foraging on prey animals. Activity usually terrestrial but climbs well to good heights and can stay there for roosting. Locomotion slow. Behavior usually non-offensive and try to escape to hide in natural surrounding. On provocation makes coil of body and keeps head slightly above the ground; hiss almost same like Russell's Viper and bites repeatedly if one comes in its attacking range. On catching it tightly coils around catcher's limbs and try to suffocate. 

Chief food of adults is mammals, monitors, large rodents and birds. Juveniles feed on rodents, lizards, sometimes frogs also.

Habitat includes mixed & dry deciduous forests, mangroves, grasslands, rainforests and semi-deserts. lives in dense vegetation, agricultural land's edge, rocky hills; prefers water body for activity. Lives in caves, mounds, dense vegetation, old trees etc. 

Endemic to Indian subcontinent. Found in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

IUCN: Near threatened

Indian Rock Python is one of the most threatened species due to- Road kill mortality; killing due to conflict in agricltural fields and around water bodies due to its large size; due to misidentification and confusion with venomous species Russell's Viper which shared almost same kind of habitat. Indian Rock Python has been considered to be one of the most precious species to provide beautiful and tough snake skin and for this its trade is high in various parts of country. Habitat loss is one more reason because this species prefers wet surrounding or long time stable waterbodies for its activities. Due to destruction and filling of medium and large waterbodies habitat of Python remains no more natural and it has to migrate from the area. Like all Pythons, Indian Rock Python is always demended by foreign and Indian keepers for pet trade. 

Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule 1

Indian Rock Python is the only species found in most of the parts of indian mainland which regulates population of small to medium size mammals. No other reptile species can replace it in this aspect. For humans this species is very useful if one understand the fact that it feeds on wild hares and rodents of various size as they are well accepted as crop consumers and economically harmful for farmers. 

People thinks that it can pull any person just by taking its powerful breath in and can swallow immediately. In another myth it is said that its not venomous but after its bite, the bite site will start rotting and will never recover for lifetime.