| P a g e : A study on morphology, behavior, feeding and breeding of the Indian Rock Python (Python molurus molurus) at Chattagram Zoo, Chattagram, Bangladesh

Abstract

Indian Rock Python (Python molurus molurus) is one of the large sized non-venomous snake in Indian subcontinent which now has been included in near threatened class in IUCN red list species. The study was conducted to observe the morphological and behavioral changes of Indian Rock Python in captivity. A total of 26 python were included under the current study at Chattogram Zoo, to observe their morphology and behavior. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. For the morphological study, body weight, length, color pattern, marking and arrangement of teeth were observed and recorded. Different behavioral pattern during feeding, hunting, resting, breeding and gravid behavior were observed. The height, length and weight of eggs, clutch size and gestation period were measured. The average body weight of Indian Rock Python was 10.91±4.91 kg and the average length was 116.54±51.97 inch. The clutch size was 33 with the gestation length ranging from 73 to 76 days. The hatchability was 74%. The average weight of the eggs was 204.8 g. on an average, the length and width of the eggs were 10.43 cm and 5.48 cm respectively. Finally, the study of this species in captivity for a better understanding can be helpful in their conservation.