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Carpet pythons are not rare where we live in the Gold Coast hinterland. This is one that came to visit in 2010.
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae (Pythons)
Genus/Species: Morelia bredli
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: A large, heavily built species, unlike its two more slender Aspidites exhibit companions, who are built for burrowing. Distinct, but variable colors and pattern; often brown-to-reddish background color with cream patterning surrounded by black.
Undersides lighter. Note the multiple heat sensing pits in the upper and lower jaws.
Length up to 2 m, known to reach 3 m in captivity
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Northern Territory of Central Australia in arid desert areas. Most often on rocky outcrops and river banks in or around trees and shrubs. as birds are a favored prey item *
DIET IN THE WILD: Birds are a favored prey item. 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.
REPRODUCTION: This snake is oviparous, like all pythons. The female coils around the eggs, protecting and warming them with heat generated by muscular "shivering" for the incubation period.
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.
Color of Life note: Pit vipers, boas and pythons have heat sensing organs which detect infrared wavelengths on their face. This feature that detects heat is used in the dark to detect warm blooded prey.
References
California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium, Water Planet little water 2018
Ron’s Wordpress shortlink. wp.me/p1DZ4b-1YO
The Reptile Database reptile-database.reptarium.cz 1981
Inland Reptile
www.inlandreptile.com/bredli/morelia bredli.htm
7-13-12, 2015, 10-27-18