Black-headed Python
Aspidites melanocephalus (Pythonidae) Pythons
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: A large snake with maximum length of 2.5 m, though 1.5 to 2 m more common. Head covered with shiny black scales; body a striped or brindled pattern in shades of black and gray brown, gold and cream. Juveniles more vividly marked. Females larger than males.
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia. Habitat: Open woodlands, shrub lands, outcrops, humid coastal forests, and seasonally-dry tropical woodlands. Not found in very arid regions. Found among rocks and loose debris.
DIET IN THE WILDt: birds, other reptiles; small mammals, especially rodents. Active at night.
ACADEMY DIET: Two rats every 2 weeks. (M Avila Academy biologist)
REPRODUCTION: Oviparous. Female guards them.
REMARKS: Like all pythons, a non-venomous species that kills by constriction. To save energy during the dry season when food and water are scarce, pythons reduce their body temperature. Can dig and live in burrows to escape daytime heat. Small, streamlined head and nonprotrusive eyes may be adaptations to entering burrows and hollows.
Water planet: Independent of Standing Water WP01
1-23-13, 11-7-14, 2015
Black-headed Python
Aspidites melanocephalus (Pythonidae) Pythons
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: A large snake with maximum length of 2.5 m, though 1.5 to 2 m more common. Head covered with shiny black scales; body a striped or brindled pattern in shades of black and gray brown, gold and cream. Juveniles more vividly marked. Females larger than males.
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia. Habitat: Open woodlands, shrub lands, outcrops, humid coastal forests, and seasonally-dry tropical woodlands. Not found in very arid regions. Found among rocks and loose debris.
DIET IN THE WILDt: birds, other reptiles; small mammals, especially rodents. Active at night.
ACADEMY DIET: Two rats every 2 weeks. (M Avila Academy biologist)
REPRODUCTION: Oviparous. Female guards them.
REMARKS: Like all pythons, a non-venomous species that kills by constriction. To save energy during the dry season when food and water are scarce, pythons reduce their body temperature. Can dig and live in burrows to escape daytime heat. Small, streamlined head and nonprotrusive eyes may be adaptations to entering burrows and hollows.
Water planet: Independent of Standing Water WP01
1-23-13, 11-7-14, 2015