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Diamond python

Morelia spilota

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

This handsome creature was about 3.5metres long. <br> Possibly slower than usual due to the cold but still way too big to measure directly. ;-)

Habitat:

Resting on a rear deck in a semi urban area adjacent to eucalyptus dominated bushland.

Notes:

This photo was taken by my brother near his home just inland from Noosa, Queensland. <br> They typically remain motionless in a camouflaged position and then strike suddenly at passing prey although this one had chosen a very poor camo backdrop. <br> The genus Morelia (tree python) has seven species and is found in Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. It has a distinctive pattern of a black background with cream or yellow spots and blotches but can be variable. The area is inhabited by two subspecies of the six in Australia but I think these markings are distinctively 'spilota' not 'mcdowelli'. <br> Active by day or night... this one probably waiting to check out the chooks in the back yard pen. Weather is unusually cold currently - 13C. <br> Known as "carpet" python in Australia because some keep one as a pet in the car ;-)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)

Must have taken the coat off of a Lace Monitor. See you made it into Queensland.
Chooks will bring the rodents, and both are faves for a happy and healthy python. I really like the Aussie fact at the end of your notes too, Mark!
Wow what a beauty! Your brother is lucky with such a neighbour :)

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