36 rock pythons new attraction at Vandalur zoo

Chennai: A den of 36 newborn Indian rock python is the new attraction at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park. A female python in the zoo laid 41 eggs on April 25.
Of these, 36 eggs hatched on June 23, after 58 days. Zoo director KSSVP Reddy said "The newborns have been separated from the rest of the snakes in the enclosure of the reptiles. They are kept in earthern pots.From the second week of their birth, a week-old live rat is fed to each newborn." The snakes may be on display after two months.
Among Indian rock pythons, the mother's role comes to an end soon after the newborns are hatched. "The mother soon after laying the eggs, coils around them and hatches them.
"When the temperature dips in the night, the body heat of the mother provides the required warmth to the eggs," said Reddy. The hatched newborns measure between 45cm and 60cm in length.
Indian rock pythons are categorised as a threatened species. They grow up to 4 metres and an adult can weigh up to 50kg. They are found in large numbers in the Western Ghats in the state. Dens, tree holes and bushes near water bodies are their habitat.