Common names: diamond python, diamond snake.

Morelia spilota is a non-venomous python species found in Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia. Currently, 6 subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Description

Adults can grow to 4 m in length and weigh over 5 kg. M. s. mcdowelli is the largest form, regularly attaining lengths of 2.7-3 m (9-10 feet). M. s. variegata is the smallest, averaging of 120-180 cm (4-6) feet in length. The average adult length is roughly 2 m (6.5 ft). However, one 3-year-old captive male M. s. mcdowelli, measured in Ireland, was found to exceed 396 cm (13 ft). Males are typically smaller than females, and the head is triangular with a conspicuous row of thermoreceptive labial pits.

The color pattern for M. s. spilota is black with white or cream and gold markings. Most other forms have intricate markings made up of light and dark bands on a background of gray or a version of brown.

Geographic range

Found in Indonesia (southern Western New Guinea in Merauke Regency), Papua New Guinea (southern Western Province, the Port Moresby area of Central Province and on Yule Island) and Australia (excluding southern Victoria and much of the center and the west of the country). The type locality given is "Nouvelle-Hollande" [Australia].

Habitat

Occurs in a wide variety of habitats, from the rainforests of northeastern Queensland (M. s. cheynei) through the River Red Gum/Riverbox woodlands of the Murray and Darling Rivers (M. s. metcalfei), to the arid, tree-less islands of Nuyts Archipelago off the South Australian west coast (M. s. imbricata). Often found near human habitation where they perform a useful service by eating rats and other vermin. M. s. spilota is even know to occur in areas that receive snowfall. Diamond pythons are tree snakes, they do not completely rely on trees, however, and are capable of moving around elsewhere.

Conservation

The nominate subspecies, M. s. spilota, is under threat due to habitat destruction.

Behavior

Described as semi-arboreal, they are largely nocturnal, climbing trees and shrubs as well as crossing open areas such as rock faces, forest floors and even roads. However, basking behavior is commonly observed.

Feeding

The diet consists mainly of small mammals, bats, birds and lizards. Captive specimens are normally fed live or frozen rats.

Reproduction

Oviparous, with females laying 10-50 eggs at a time. Afterwards, females coil around the eggs to protect them and keep them warm through using muscular contractions to generate heat. This type of maternal care, which is typical for pythons, ceases once the hatchlings have emerged.

Captivity

This species is a popular pet among enthusiasts. Some forms can be more irascible than others, such as M. s. mcdowelli and M. s. variegata. Forms that tend to be more even tempered include M. s. spilota and M. s. metcalfei. However this is not a hard rule. Although they can grow to a reasonable size (2-3.5 m) and can be nippy as hatchlings, most will grow into docile, trustworthy adults. However, care must be taken when feeding, as these snakes have a strong feeding response; behavior that can be mistaken for aggression. They can be fed on rats and mice and have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.

Subspecies

Subspecies	Taxon author	Common name	Geographic range
M. s. cheynei	Wells & Wellington, 1984	Jungle carpet python	Australia in northeastern Queensland.
M. s. imbricata	(Smith, 1981)	Southwestern carpet python	Australia in southwestern Western Australia and the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.
M. s. mcdowelli	Wells & Wellington, 1984	Coastal carpet python	Australia in eastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales.
M. s. metcalfei	Wells & Wellington, 1984	Inland carpet python	Australia in the Murray-Darling Basin of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
M. s. spilota	(Lacépède, 1804)	Diamond python	Australia in eastern New South Wales and the extreme east of Victoria.
M. s. variegata	Gray, 1842	Carpet python	New Guinea (Western New Guinea and Papua New Guinea) and Australia in northwestern Western Australia and in the northern portion of the Northern Territory.

See also

• List of pythonid species and subspecies

References

Further reading

External links

• The Captive Care of Carpet Pythons at Anthony Caponetto Reptiles Accessed 18 September 2007.