Carpet Python:
Morelia spilota
This python is the most widespread of
the Australian pythons, and is found in variety of habitats, from grassland to
rainforest in Australia and New Guinea. It is also easily the most variable
python, although it generally has lighter blotches on a darker background, and a
large head that is very distinct from the body (Tory 2000). They can grow to a
good size of and are capable of eating birds and mammals up to the size of a
small wallaby (Tory 2000). One of the more interesting forms is the 'diamond
python' of the Sydney sandstone region'. Another form is the pretty 'jungle
python' pictured here. The 'Centralian carpet python' is often considered a
sub-species, but I consider it a separate species here as it is reproductively
isolated.
Script courtesy
of Naturalist Guide Damon Ramsey
Pythons:
Family
Pythonidae
Pythons are mainly found in the Old
World tropics and subtropics, including Africa, Asia and Australia. They are
best developed in Australia (Shine 1998) where they are found from the
rainforest, to the woodland, to the desert, and range in size from the
Amethystine Python, one of the world's top five biggest snakes to the tiny 60
centimetres `Pygmy Python' Antaresia perthensis (Shine 1998).
Pythons have a very interesting
reproductive cycle that sets them apart from the related Boas. First, they lay
eggs. Then the mother curls around these eggs and incubates them with it's own
body heat. Of course, being ectothermic, pythons do not have a naturally
occurring high body temperature, thus they have to produce this. This is done by
gathering it from the sun by basking, or by a process known as shivering
thermogeneisis. Essentially, the python vibrates it's body with it's muscles, in
effect it is shivering to provide warmth for the eggs to develop (Shine 1998).
During this time the mother does not eat, uses up much energy and may loose up
to half her own body weight and be another few years until she is sufficiently
recovered to mate again (Shine 19998). After the eggs hatch, the parent no
longer looks after them (Shine 1998).
Script courtesy
of Naturalist Guide Damon Ramsey
Additional Carpet Python Photos
Carpet
Python of the Lamington National Park
