Paruroctonus boreus, commonly known as the northern scorpion,[1][2][3] is a species of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae. It is the northernmost species of scorpion, the only scorpion found in Canada,[3] and one of the scorpions with the broadest distribution over North America.[4][5]
Afrolychas braueri, commonly known as the Seychelles forest scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the family Buthidae. It is currently thought to survive only on Silhouette Island, Seychelles, although the species was historically found on two additional Seychellois islands. This scorpion lives in leaf litter in forests that are largely unaffected by invasive plant species. It is a small yellowish-brown scorpion with three prominent keels on the dorsal surface of its mesosoma, which distinguishes it from other scorpions. While not much is known about the Seychelles forest scorpion's ecology due to the paucity of sightings, it is known to rely solely on its venom to capture its prey and defend its young. Its venom is not dangerous to humans.
The Ball Python is a nonvenomous constrictor snake native to sub-Saharan Africa's savannas, grasslands, and lightly forested areas. It rolls into a tight ball when it feels threatened, hence its name.
The snake is typically 3.5 to 6 feet long with a large head compared to its slender neck. We can recognize it by its shiny and smooth skin, white belly, and mottled brown and dark brown pattern.
It is most active at dawn and dusk, hunting using heat-sensing pits on its lips to detect warm-blooded prey. The Ball Python is a solitary creature, only seeking out company during the breeding season.
Its mild temperament has made it the most famous snake pet and the second most popular exotic pet3. Sadly, this fame could lead to the excessive capture of wild snakes, causing significant damage to the species’ wild population.
The Burmese Python is one of the largest snake species in the world. It is native to Southeast Asia. It has an average length of 16 feet, while corrected lengths of captive Burmese pythons reached 18 feet1.
Its body has a pattern of brown blotches outlined in black, set against a tan background, which helps it blend in with the undergrowth in its natural habitat.
Moreover, Burmese Pythons are skilled ambush hunters, using their heat-sensing abilities to detect warm-blooded prey. It consumes small birds and larger mammals such as pigs and goats.
After laying up to 100 eggs, the female python wraps herself around them, providing warmth and protection until they hatch.
The African Rock Python is a large snake species native to sub-Saharan Africa, thriving in savannas, rainforests, and marshlands.
They are known for their impressive size; on average, they can stretch up to 11 feet. However, some specimens reached almost 20 feet. Their skin features dark brown blotches on a light brown or olive backdrop, which helps them blend into their surroundings.
African Rock Pythons prey on rodents, monkeys, antelopes, and crocodiles. Their hunting technique involves constricting their prey.
The Indian Python, also called black-tailed python or Asian rock python, is one of the largest snakes, with an average of almost 10 feet.
These types of pythons have muscular bodies with light yellow to almost black hues and dark brown blotches.
They inhabit various habitats, including grasslands, marshes, rocky foothills, and open forests. Indian Pythons often live near water, highlighting their excellent swimming ability.
Moreover, these nocturnal hunters use their powerful constricting abilities to catch and subdue their prey, mainly mammals and birds. Although they usually prey on small animals, they hunt larger prey such as deer or antelope.
The Blood Python, also known as the Red Short-tailed Python, lives in the rainforests and marshes of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and nearby islands. It has red to burgundy skin and a muscular body designed for life on the ground.
Despite being non-venomous, it is a skilled predator that uses ambush tactics to catch small mammals like rats, mice, and birds.
The Blood Python prefers to live near water, which provides an ideal hunting ground and humidity level for survival. This preference for waterside living also makes them suitable for captivity, as they require a high-humidity environment.
Sadly, their beautiful skin is highly sought after in the leather industry5, which has decreased their population in some areas.
The Green Tree Python is a unique species found in New Guinea, some Indonesian islands, and Australia's Cape York Peninsula. This nocturnal animal hunts and feeds at night. Its green color acts as a camouflage, helping it to avoid predators and ambush prey.
Moreover, the Green Tree Python is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young. After laying a clutch of eggs, the female python wraps herself around them. It also observes an extraordinary incubation behavior that involves shivering to generate heat.
Interestingly, the young pythons come out with a yellow or red coat upon hatching, which changes to green between six and twelve months.
The Green Tree Python helps control the population of small mammals and serves as a food source for larger predators.
The Carpet Python inhabits various habitats across Australia. This semi-arboreal species can adapt to different environments, with skins displaying a unique pattern of colors.
For instance, the Jungle Carpet Python subspecies live in rainforests. Meanwhile, the unique Diamond Carpet Python has an olive body with patterns of yellow or creamy rosettes. These medium to large types of pythons have an average length of four to ten feet.
These tree pythons employ various hunting strategies, including 'caudal luring,' where they wiggle their tails to mimic prey. As constrictors, they wrap their bodies around their prey, squeezing until it can no longer breathe.
The Central Australian Carpet Python is endemic to the arid landscapes of Central Australia, particularly in the Northern Territory. It is also known as Bredl's python in honor of Josef Bredl, an Australian crocodile conservationist.
These carpet pythons have a fiery rust-red exterior with bands of white or cream. Since they are semi-arboreal species, they can thrive in rocky outcrops and woodland forests, where they feed on small mammals, birds, and, occasionally, other reptiles at night.
