THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA - PYTHONS

AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PHOTOS AND INFORMATION
Covering Australian Snakes and Lizards, Crocodiles and Turtles

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PYTHON SNAKES - Pythonidae

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Skinks of Australia

CROCODILES Crocodylia Crocodilia Saltwater freshwater estuarine

REPTILES OF THE WORLD SPECIES LISTS


(NOT VENOMOUS)
However the Broad-Headed Snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides)
which is a dangerous species may be mistaken for this species!

DIAMOND PYTHON
Morelia spilota spilota

Display animal at Tidbinbilla Reserve ACT - however Diamond Pythons (Morelia spilota spilota) do not naturally occur in the Canberra region.

Diamond python Morelia spilota spilota map  
Distribution of Diamond Pythons (Morelia spilota spilota) is Green in the map above and is approximate only!
Note that those in Northern NSW are intergrades between Diamond Pythons and Coastal Carpet Pythons Morelia spilota mcdowelli also known as (Morelia spilota variegata) (Subspecies status uncertain)

and show a larger percentage of Coastal Carpet Python patterning as they approach Qld.

Note that the distribution map is a very rough guide only, in some areas there are intergrades between the subspecies, and snakes from those areas may be hard to categorize as they may have characteristics of more than one subspecies.
Also note that the Centralian Carpet Snake (Morelia bredli) was downgraded to a subspecies for a while but has now regained its full species status and is not shown on this map, - Click here for distribution map of Morelia bredli

ALTERNATE DISTRIBUTION MAP

This map shows the alternate map if you want to use the subspecies as listed by the Australian Society of Herpetologists November 2023, which currently only recognises 2 subspecies


Diamond Python (Morelia spilota spilota) photographed at Ku-ring-gai Chase, NSW (notice that this snake has a tick on the top of its nose!) - this snake was taken off the road at night as I was concerned about its safety, however about half an hour later when I drove back down the same road, it was basking in the same spot so I moved it off the road again!


This Diamond Python (Morelia spilota spilota) was photographed in the pouring rain, near Dharug National Park, NSW


Diamond python Morelia spilota spilota
This Diamond python (Morelia spilota spilota) is from Gosford, NSW.


Diamond python Morelia spilota spilota
Hatchling Diamond Pythons (Morelia spilota spilota) generally become much more colorful as as adults.

Diamond Pythons (Morelia spilota spilota) intergrade with Coastal Carpet Pythons (Morelia spilota mcdowelli) .
Many people believe that the 2 subspecies evolved separately but then at a much later time the populations started interbreeding at the Southern region of the Coastal Carpet Python Range and the northern region of the Diamond Python Range.

Carpet/Diamond Intergrade sign
This sign on the boardwalk at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, Port Macquarie, NSW, shows a photo of a Carpet/Diamond Intergrade

Typical Carpet/Diamond Intergrades occur somewhere around Port Macquarie, however various forms of Carpet/Diamond Intergrades occur in many regions along the coast of Northern NSW

Adult female Carpet/Diamond Intergrade from Coffs Harbour
Adult female Carpet/Diamond Intergrade from Coffs Harbour


LINKS OF INTEREST

Morelia spilota (LACEPEDE, 1804)
The Reptile Database

Carpet Python Complex
Morelia spilota, Morelia bredli, Morelia imbricata

INFORMATION ABOUT AUSTRALIAN PYTHONS
Australianherpetology.com

 

RECOMMENDED AMAZON BOOKS
(Affiliate commission earned)

Complete Carpet Python, A Comprehensive Guide to the Natural History, Care, and Breeding of the 'Morelia spilota' Complex

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases


OTHER LINKS

Find a Random Species of Australian Reptile

Visit the Australian Herpetology Website










Pythons of the World

Boas of the World

Pythons
of
The World

Boas
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AUSTRALIAN PYTHON SPECIES LISTS BY STATE OR TERRITORY

Pythons of Australia

Pythons of South Australia

NSW PYTHON SNAKES - Pythonidae

Qld PYTHON SNAKES - Pythonidae

Northern Territory PYTHON SNAKES - Pythonidae

LISTING OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PYTHONS

Pythons of Victoria

Pythons
of
Australia

Pythons
of South
Australia

Pythons
of
NSW

Pythons
of
Qld

Pythons
of
NT

Pythons
of
WA

Pythons
of
Victoria





AUSTRALIAN REPTILE SPECIES LISTS BY STATE OR TERRITORY


Reptiles of South Australia
REPTILES OF VICTORIA
 REPTILES OF NSW REPTILES OF QUEENSLAND REPTILES OF NORTHERN TERRITORY REPTILES OF Western Australia Reptiles of the ACT(Canberra)

Reptiles of South Australia

Reptiles
of
Victoria

Reptiles
of
NSW

Reptiles
of
Qld

Reptiles
of
NT

Reptiles
of
WA

Reptiles
of the
ACT

Reptiles of Tasmania




Reptiles of Lord Howe Island

Reptiles of Christmas Island

Reptiles
of Cocos Keeling Islands

Reptiles of Norfolk Island





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Contact John Fowler Author of the Australian Herpetology Website

Contact John Hollister Author of John Hollister Reptile Collection - Herping the Trans-Pecos & Sweetwater, Texas Rattlesnake Roundup

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Updated April 21, 2024


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