Morelia carinata
| Morelia carinata | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pythonidae |
| Genus: | Morelia |
| Species: | M. carinata |
| Binomial name | |
| Morelia carinata (L.A. Smith, 1981) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Morelia carinata, commonly known as the rough-scaled python, is a large-scaled python species endemic to Australia. No subspecies are currently recognized.[2]
Description
Adults grow to 2 m (6.6 ft) in total length. M. carinata is distinguished by the presence of a large parietal scale and by having distinct keeled dorsal scales. The body is slim and muscular. The color pattern is light honey-tan with darker reddish-brown markings. The belly is white, possibly with black spots.
Captivity
They are now available to private owners, originating from a few wild caught specimens, as it was found they breed readily in captivity.
Geographic range
Found in Australia, northwestern Western Australia in the lower sections of the Mitchell and Hunter rivers, just inland from the coast.
The type locality given is "Mitchell River Falls, Western Australia (14°50'S, 125°42'E)" [Australia].[1]
Habitat
They are found in rocky valleys of Kimberley region in far northern Western Australia where they climb on low trees and shrubs.
Behavior
So far reported to be strictly crepuscular. The temperament is quite docile with rarely any attempts to bite.
Reproduction
This species is confirmed to be an egg-layer (oviparous) like other pythons.
Media
This species was only filmed for the first time by wildlife conservationist Malcolm Douglas, and shown on his Kimberley Adventure Part 1.
See also
- List of pythonid species and subspecies.
- Pythonidae by common name.
- Pythonidae by taxonomic synonyms.
References
- 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ↑ "Morelia carinata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
Further reading
- Smith, L.A. 1981. A Revision of the Python Genera Aspidites and Python (Serpentes: Boidae) in Western Australia. Rec. West. Australian Mus. 9 (2): 211-226. ("Python carinatus sp. nov.", pp. 220-222, Figures 5 & 6.)
External links
- Morelia carinata at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 September 2007.