Diamond python
| Diamond python | ||||||||||||
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Diamond python ( Morelia spilota ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Morelia spilota | ||||||||||||
| ( Lacépède , 1804) |
The diamond python ( Morelia spilota ), also carpet python or diamond python , is a species of snake from the python family (Pythonidae).
This large representative of the genus Morelia occurs in its wide distribution area of Australia and New Guinea in many color variations. It is very adaptable and is nocturnal as well as diurnal. It is often found in the vicinity of human dwellings, where it makes itself useful to eat rats and mice .
features
Most subspecies show a complex pattern consisting of light and dark bands or nets on a brown, reddish-brown or gray background. All variations have a triangular head that clearly stands out from the neck and is covered with many small scales. The scales of the edges of the mouth carry a number of conspicuous pit organs; the eyes are moderately large and have perpendicular pupils.
Subspecies
According to Henderson and Powell, six subspecies are currently recognized:
- Morelia spilota spilota
- M. s. cheynei
- M. s. mcdowelli
- M. s. metcalfei
- M. s. imbricata
- M. s. variegata
Trivia
The females of the shield bird of paradise cover the edge of their nests with the shed skin of this snake. The behavior probably serves to deter predators.
swell
literature
- Chris Mattison: The Snake Encyclopedia. All kinds in the world. Characteristics, distribution, biology. BLV, Munich / Vienna / Zurich 1999, ISBN 3-405-15497-9 . (Hardback edition)
- Mark Mense: Diamond pythons: Morelia bredli, Morelia carinata and the Morelia spilota complex. Natur-und-Tier-Verlag, Münster 2006, ISBN 3-937285-48-2 . (Hardback edition)
Web links
- Morelia spilota in The Reptile Database
- Morelia spilota inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: Shine RA & Allison, A., 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
Individual evidence
- ↑ RW Henderson and R. Powell: The biology of Boas and Pythons: A retrospective look to the future. In: RW Henderson and R. Powell (Eds.): Biology of the Boas and Pythons. Eagle Mountain Publishing Company, Eagle Mountain., 2007: pp. 3-22
- ↑ PJ Higgins, JM Peter and SJ Cowling: Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds: Volume 7 Boatbill to Starlings, Part A: Boatbill to Larks. Oxford University Press, Melbourne 2006, ISBN 978-0-19-555884-5 . P. 638