Coastal Carpet Python
(Morelia Spilota McDowelli)

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The Coastal Carpet Python (Morelia Spilota McDowelli) is one of the widest and most commonly distributed python species in Australia. Often mistaken for or confused with the Diamond Carpet, this species occurs further north. It is also known for the Diamond Python and the Coastal Python to interbreed, which is unheard of in most other reptile species.

Appearance and Characteristics

A heavy bodied snake, this species is known to grow up to 14 foot in length, although average length seems to be around 7 - 9 feet. The life span of this snake is unknown, and figures from experts varies greatly, but it is believed that this snake can live in excess of 100 years. Captive bred animals, which grow at a much faster rate have been known to live up to 50 years.

Colours and Patterns of the Coastal Python vary greatly, even within one location. Colours include olives, dark greens, light greens, yellowy greens, browns and blacks. Patterns can be splotches, stripes or rings of colours. Colour and patterns are at their most vibrant immediately after, and within a week of sloughing off of old skin.
Reproductive Cycle.

After mating, a clutch of up to 30 eggs are laid. Females of this species, unlike other snake species, will care for her eggs, and defend her clutch violently. She coils herself around her eggs, and shivers to keep the eggs at a stable temperature. Between 50 and 60 days after producing her clutch, the babies hatch. At this point, the maternal duties of the mother are complete, and she goes to feed, leaving the hatchlings to disperse, and fend for themselves.

Diet and Habitat

Found throughout Northern New South Wales, and all the way to Cape York in Queensland, this species has one of the widest distributions of all snakes in Australia. With a preferred habitat of rainforests or eucalypt forests, it is not unknown of this snake to turn up in the middle of suburbia. They are known for living in the roof of houses, feeding on vermin.

 

The diets of Coastal Pythons includes mice, rats, birds, other snakes, flying foxes, possums and just about anything too slow to avoid capture. As a constrictor and a non venomous snake, he kills his prey by restriction and suffocation.

Information by Rhianna Blackthorn

 

Sharon McGrigor	Sharon McGrigor	Sharon McGrigor
Sharon McGrigor	Sue Ulyatt	Michael McGrath
Jonas Handley	Jonas Handley	Jonas Handley
Alicia Carter	Leslee Hawley	Sue Ulyatt
Carpet python consuming a Mountain Brushtail possum Sharon McGrigor	Carpet python consuming a Red-Necked wallaby Sue Ulyatt	Carpet python consuming a Red-Necked wallaby Sue Ulyatt

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