Species

South-western Carpet Python

Morelia spilota imbricata
Category: Category 3
Care Sheets:

Genus: Morelia
Five moderate to very large spp., including Australia's largest snake, with head and broad at base and distinct from neck. Head scales small, irregular and fragmented, or enlarged and symmetrically arranged; heat-sensory pits present on rostral and some labial scales; pattern consists of bands, blotches and/or stripes. Widespread throughout much of Australia excluding alps, southern Vic and Tas, penetrating some arid zones via eucalypt-lined drainage systems. Predominantly nocturnal, thought often found basking and foraging by day. Frequently arboreal rock-inhabiting, through most spp. are regularly encountered on the ground. Diets comprise mainly mammals and birds, including prey as large as wallabies, but reptiles and amphibians are also taken.

Morelia spilota imbricata
Extremely variable, with small fragmented head scales. Is brown to blackish brown with dark-edged pale blotches, tending to be transversely elongated on back and coalescing to form a longitudinal stripe on anterior flanks. It remains to be demonstrated whether these represent valid ssp. or more colour variants, but collectively they occupy the most diverse habitats of any Aust. ssp.

Necessities:

Vivarium	Night heat globe
Substrate	Water bowl
Hide rock	Thermostat
thermometer

South-western Carpet Python Gallery

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