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BLACK-HEADED PYTHON FACTS |
Description
Black-headed Python adults typically grow to 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft)in total length, but can grow to a maximum of 3.5 m (11 ft). The body is muscular with a flattened profile, while the tail tapers to a thin point. The top of the head is covered by large, symmetrical scales. The dorsal scales, which are smooth and glossy, number 50-65 rows at midbody, while 315-355 ventral scales occur. The tail has 60-75 mainly single subcaudal scales and the anal scale is single. The posterior subcaudals tend to be divided, often irregularly. The color pattern consists of shades of black, dark grey, brown, gold, and cream arranged in a striped or brindled pattern. The belly is light-colored, flecked with darker spots. The head is shiny black that also extends down the neck and throat for several inches.
Size
1.5m - 3.5m
Habitat
It occurs in humid tropical to semiarid conditions.. It is terrestrial and are often found in amongst rocks and loose debris.
Food
mainly reptiles, including snakes, but they will eat mammals if available
Breeding
Oviparous, females lay five to 10 eggs per clutch. The females stay coiled about the eggs and incubate them until they hatch, which is usually after 2–3 months. The young take small prey as soon as 2 days after hatching. Immature individuals are vulnerable to predation, including cannibalism.
Range
The species is found in Australia in the northern half of the country, excluding the very arid regions.
Credits:
Map is from Atlas of Living Australia website at https://biocache.ala.org.au licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Classification
| Class: | Reptilia | | Order: | Squamata (Serpentes) | | Family: | Pythonidae | | Genus: | Aspidites | | Species: | melanocephalus | | Common Name: | Black-headed Python |
Relatives in same Genus
Woma Python (A. ramsayi)
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