Coastal Carpet Python
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Morelia spilota mcdowelli or the Coastal Carpet Python
Perhaps Australia's best-known python, the name Carpet Python actually refers to a number of different subspecies, each found in a separate geographic location. Coastal carpet python snakes are probably the most common snake found in and around Brisbane. They do an excellent job of keeping the rat population down. Adult carpet snakes can get up to 4 metres long. At this size they feed on large possums, and maybe even unwary cats.
During the mating season, several males will often aggregate around a single female and fight with each other to see who gets to mate with her. Female coastal carpet Python lay from 5 to 50 eggs, with larger females laying proportionately more eggs. As with other Australian pythons, the female will curl around her eggs mass while the eggs are incubating, but will not care for the young after they've hatched. The row of pits on the lower jaw are heat sensitive organs, enabling the python to sense warm-blooded prey in total darkness.
Did you know...
- The coastal carpet python is probably the most common snake found in and around Brisbane.
- Adult carpet snakes can get up to 4 metres long. At this size they feed on large possums, and maybe even unwary cats.
- During the mating season, several males will often aggregate around a single female and fight with each other to see who gets to mate with her.
- Female carpet python lay from 5 to 50 eggs, with larger females laying more eggs.
- As with other Australian pythons, the female will curl around her eggs mass while the eggs are incubating, but will not care for the young after they've hatched.
Where do theCoastal Carpet Python dwell in Australia:
