SNAKES

Jungle Carpet Python

Morelia spilota cheynei

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A striking yellow-and-black Australian python prized in herpetoculture, native to rainforest in far north Queensland.

Description

The jungle carpet python is a slim subspecies of carpet python, usually around 1.8 m, with vivid yellow or olive-gold base colour broken by sharp black lateral bars and reticulations. The pattern is exceptionally bright compared with other carpet pythons and varies between individuals.

Behavior

Mostly arboreal and nocturnal, the jungle carpet python hangs from branches near rainforest streams using its heat-sensing labial pits to locate possums, bats, and birds. It constricts prey with great force and then swallows it head-first while still gripping a branch with its prehensile tail.

Range

Restricted to the Atherton Tableland and adjacent wet tropical rainforests of far north Queensland. The subspecies is popular in captive collections worldwide for its vivid colours, and selective breeding has produced even brighter morphs.

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