Carpet Python (species: Morelia spilota) in Garigal NP (Gaia Guide)
Garigal NP > Animalia > Vertebrata > Serpentes > Boidae > Morelia spilota (gallery)
Morelia spilota
Carpet Python


©Brad Maryan

©magdalena_b on Flickr: Carpet Python (Morelia spilota)

©Michael Wifall: Morelia spilota imbricata

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Reptilia
Order Squamata
Family Boidae
Genus Morelia
Species Morelia spilota

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Colours

                        

Distinguishing features

The head is triangular with a conspicuous row of thermoreceptive labial pits.

There are several subspecies of the Carpet Snake in Australia and, as can be seen from the photos above the colour and pattern is highly variable. Brad Maryan's Photo is typical of South-west Western Australian specimens.  

Size

  • Up to 240 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Southern Western Australia

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Carpet Python (Morelia spilota)

Chronotypes

nocturnal (active at night)

Behaviour

Arboreal.  Often found in rooves of Rural Houses and sheds where they feed on rats and mice.

Diet

Birds and mammals. Large specimens can ingest mammals as big as a wallaby.

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