Why do elapids have larger ventral scales than pythons?

[Nagraj]

..... I hope you have some to dispute our OP options.

Nope, but I would venture that type and size of muscle would be a more important factor for both.

 

[Elapidae1]

That picture of the dugite is impressive.

It made for an interesting pic albeit an ugly one. I'm just glad it kept it down overnight until release.

 

[Waterrat]

That may well be the anatomical characteristic, but what shaped up the muscles and scales? Constrictors need / have stronger muscles but do all constrictors have smaller ventrals? It's a bag of worms, I better look up Greer.

 

[waruikazi]

I said i would be back once i got to my reference books.

The largest recorded sized prey (relative to body size) that i can find for an elapid is a Micropechis ikaheka that ate a cage mate that was 91% of it's own body length (I think it is reaosnable to assume that the prey would be around 90% of it's own weight).

The largest recorded size that i can find for a python is an Apodora papuana that ate a rabbit 143% of its own body weight.

From Greer, 1997.

 

[saximus]

Haha bringing some research to the table, nice. When I started this I thought it would be a simple clear cut answer but I've learnt some interesting stuff

 

[Elapidae1]

So, this backs your theory Gordo but far from proves it.
I'd forgotten about this thread.

glad you remembered

 

[waruikazi]

So, this backs your theory Gordo but far from proves it.
I'd forgotten about this thread.

glad you remembered

Don't worry i know that for sure! The best explanation is probably an amalgamation of all the ideas thrown around in this thread.