Pythons in Australia: Species, Characteristics, Behavior and Reproduction | Sea Life, Islands and Oceania

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PYTHONS IN AUSTRALIA

Oenpelli Python

Australia is home to 15 species of pythons, according to aussieanimals.com. They are found in various habitats, from deserts to rainforests, and are quite diverse, with some estimates suggesting that Australia may have the most diverse number of python species of any place in the world. Some notable Australian pythons species include the green tree pythons, carpet pythons (and its various subspecies like the diamond python), Centralian pythons, woma pythons, black-headed pythons, children's pythons, spotted pythons, anthill pythons, amethystine pythons, olive pythons and Stimson's Pythons.

Some python species in Australia:
Green Tree Pythons (Morelia viridis) are known for their vibrant green color and arboreal lifestyle.
Carpet Pythons (Morelia spilota) comprise a group of large pythons with several subspecies, including the Diamond Pythons, known for their beautiful patterns. Carpet pythons feed on a number of small marsupials. They have heat receptors in their head and quick reflexes which allow it catch bats in mid air. Carpet pythons rarely exceed four meters (13 feet) in length. They are among the most commonly seen snakes in suburban Australia.
Black-headed Pythons (Aspidites melanocephalus) are recognized by their distinctive black head and pale body.
Amethystine Pythons (Simalia amethistina, formerly Moreliaamethistina ) are also known as scrub pythons. They are found in tropical north Queensland.
Olive Pythons (Liasis olivaceus) are a large python species found in various habitats across Australia.
Stimson's Pythons (Antaresia stimsoni) are a smaller python species with a wide range of patterns.
Pygmy Pythons (Antaresia perthensis) are the smallest pythons species in the world. They are found in Western Australia.
Oenpelli Pythons (Morelia oenpelliensis) are considered Australia's rarest python.
Australian Scrub Pythons (Simalia kinghorni) are also known as Kinghorn's python and simply as the scrub pythons. Indigenous to forests of northern Australia, they are one of the world's longest and largest snakes, and is the longest and largest in Australia. In 2014 it was reclassified to the genus Simalia alongside a few other former Morelia species. The largest Australian scrub python seriously measured was a male discovered in Kuranda in 2002. Its length was 5.33 meters (17.5 feet).

Aspidites is a genus of pythons endemic to Australia. The name can be translated as "shield bearer" and pertains to the symmetrically shaped head scales. Currently, two species are recognized: Black-headed pythons and woma pythons. Aspidites have entirely lost supralabial and infralabial sensory pits, which are used for heat sensing of endothermic, prey or to detect small changes in local temperatures. The absence of heat sensing pits in this species marks a significant difference between the strategies employed for prey capture and perception than those employed by other pythons. [Source: Joselle McCracken, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) |=|]

Snakes in Australia

ranges of some python species in Australia and Southeast Asia; ones in Australia: Aspidites ramsayi (woma python), Antaresia childreni (Children's python), Liasis olivaceus (Olive Python), Aspidites melanocephalus (Black-headed Python), Antaresia maculosa (spotted python), Antaresia stimsoni (Stimson's Python)

Australia is home to over 200 snake species according to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. This diverse group includes 170 land snake species and 32-34 sea snake species. While many Australian snakes are venomous, only a small fraction are considered potentially dangerous to humans, according to Travelvax. [Source: Google AI]

Australia is home to over 1,000 species of reptiles (about 800 lizard species and 200 snakes species. This represents a significant portion of the world's reptile diversity, with Australia boasting the highest number of reptile species of any country. Many of these reptiles, around 93 percent, are not found anywhere else in the world. The Australia Outback contains more different kinds of reptile than any other desert in the world. Overall the reptiles that attract the most attention are snakes and crocodiles.

Among the large prehistoric animals of Australia was the womambi, a large python-like snake that weighed over 40 kilograms (100 pounds) and had a 12-inch girth. It had an enormous head filled with hundreds of tiny teeth. It lived in a number of different environments including rocks and oases and was found much further south than large snakes today.

Snakes mainly come out mainly at night. Many feed mainly on rats, small rodents and small marsupials, which the snakes in catch in the mammal’s holes. Snake catchers catch snakes by grabbing their tails and putting them in a bag. It is best to catch snakes early in the morning when these cold-blooded reptiles are more sluggish than when they heat up.

Valuable Pythons and Costly Snakes in Australia

Oenpelli pythons (Python oenpelliensis) sell for up to $50,000 on the black market. They are extremely rare large snake capable of changing colors. They are found only in the sandstone massif region of western Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory and are highly sought after by collectors and researchers.

Other valuable snakes include scrub pythons (Morelia amethistina), Australia's largest snake species, found in tropical north Queensland; and highly venomous snakes like the Eastern Brown Snake, Coastal Taipan, and Inland Taipan. Certain morphs and color variations can be highly valuable in the exotic pet trade, although it's illegal to keep native species.

In 2006, a man held up a woman with two children at gunpoint before fleeing with a dozen snakes worth more than A$100,000 (US$74,535), police said. Associated Press reported: The man demanded 12 green tree snakes, which are not venomous, when he approached the door of the woman's home near Adelaide, state police said. He then stuffed the snakes — measuring up to 80 centimeters long — into a duffel bag and bound the woman's ankles and the hands of two boys before fleeing the scene. The snakes are valued at A$9,000 each, police said. Police were investigating the alleged theft, but no suspect had been arrested. The woman and children were not identified. [Source: Associated Press, October 2006]

Black-headed python

Sometimes little snakes can be the most costly. In 2013, a Qantas 747 bound for Tokyo, with 370 passengers onboard, was grounded overnight, after a 20-centimeter (8-inch) snake was found in the passenger cabin prior to boarding. Associated Press reported: Qantas said in a statement the 8-inch snake was found by staff in the passenger cabin near the door before passengers were due to board at Sydney International Airport. The Australian airline said the passengers were accommodated in hotels overnight and left Sydney on a replacement plane. The snake was taken by quarantine officials for analysis. The Australian government on Monday did not immediately name the type of snake or say how it might have got aboard the plane which had flown to Sydney from Singapore. [Source: Associated Press, September 23, 2013]

Black-Headed Pythons

Black-headed pythons (Aspidites melanocephalus) are also known as Black-headed rock pythons. The Nyangumarta aboriginals in the Pilbara region of northwest Australia call them purruyura. Other common names for this species include “tar pot,” “Terry tar pot,” and “rock python”. The term tar pot derives from the distinctive markings of shiny, black scales on the head and neck that give the appearance that it has been dipped in a vat of tar. [Source: Joselle McCracken, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) |=|]

Black-headed pythons are broadly distributed throughout the northern third of Australia, in Northern Territory and the northern parts of Queensland and Western Australia. They live in tropical areas in savannas, grasslands, and scrub forests as well as forests and agricultural areas at elevations of 50 to 200 meters (164 to 656 feet). They avoid the most arid environmental conditions, but can otherwise survive within a wide range of climates and conditions. When not foraging most spend their time in either self-dug burrows or in abandoned burrows. By residing in such shelters they can maintain a more constant body temperature, which in turn allows them to occupy a wide range of habitat types. These pythons are able climbers and are occasionally found in trees.

On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Black-headed pythons are classified as a species of “Least Concern”. They are considered widespread and locally abundant throughout their geographic range. Because they spend their days in their burrows, live in remote places and are primarily active at night, black-headed pythons and humans have little contact with one another. There is some demand for black-headed pythons in the pet trade; a large majority of animals in the pet trade are captive bred.

Black-Headed Python Characteristics and Diet

Black-headed python range

Black-headed pythons have an average weight of 16 kilograms (35.24 pounds) and range in length from 1.5 to 2.0 meters (4.9 to 6.6 feet). Black-headed pythons have cylindrical and slender bodies, with 315 to 359 ventral scales, which is more than most Australasian python species. Black-headed pythons have a reduced head and strengthened rostral region that make it well-suited for burrowing and capturing prey. The lifespan of Black-headed pythons ranges from 20 to 30 years.Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is present: Females are larger than males. Captive females can grow to nearly a foot longer than males. [Source: Joselle McCracken, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) |=|]

Black-headed pythons have a distinctive glossy, black hood that covers the entire head and extends 20 scales down the neck along the dorsal line. In juveniles, the dark pigmentation can extend even further. The rest of the body can range from sandy brown to yellow to a pale reddish tan, but normally contains irregular dark brown bands that can blend together creating a striped appearance. There may also be small blotches between the stripes along the sides. The undersides range from white to pink, but can also exhibit dark spots similar those on the back. Black-headed python coloration can vary extensively depending on age and geographic location. Those in Western Australia are much lighter with reddish overtones; those in the Northern Territory and Queensland have darker, more pronounced striping patterns. Older individuals tend to be paler with less distinctive markings; younger individuals have stronger markings.

Black-headed pythons are carnivores (eat meat or animal parts). Their diet consists of other reptiles, mainly skinks but also geckos, bearded dragons, legless lizards and goannas, including perentie, the largest monitor lizards in Australia. Small snakes, including some venomous snakes are also consumed by black-headed pythons, which are completely impervious to the venom found in even the most toxic Australian snakes. Consumption of mammals and some birds is rare but occurs. Black-headed pythons are non-venomous and use constriction to kill large prey prior to consumption.

Black-Headed Python Behavior and Reproduction

Black-headed pythons are solitary, terricolous (live on the ground), fossorial (engaged in a burrowing life-style or behavior, and good at digging or burrowing), nocturnal (active at night) and well-adapted for living in hot, dry conditions. When temperatures are relatively cool there is evidence that they burrow into to stabilize their body temperature. When termite mounds were not present, they adopted specific postures and modified their behavior to prevent extreme cooling. The glossy, black head of these snakes helps regulate body temperature as well, by allowing the majority of the snake’s body to remain hidden while it extends only its head from its burrow. In order to cool themselves, they may bury their dark head in the sand. They are good swimmers but it is unsual to see them in water as there usually isn’t much water where they live. [Source: Joselle McCracken, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) |=|]

The major predators of black-headed pythons include dingoes and humans. When disturbed, black-headed pythons occasionally hiss, but rarely bite. They may also strike with their mouths closed when threatened. Their nocturnal behavior and burrowing life-style likely reduces predation risk, and their coloration serves as camouflage.

Black-headed pythons are monogamous (have one mate at a time) are oviparous (young are hatched from eggs). They engage in seasonal breeding — usually in October and November The average gestation period is two months. Eight to 18 eggs are laid. Eggs averages 8.9 centimeters in length. Hatchlings emerge after about two months of incubation and are completely independent. On average, hatchlings are 60 centimeters (two feet) in length and can capture their own prey by two days after birth. Females and males reach sexual or reproductive maturity at four to five years in the wild, however, captive individuals have been bred as young as 2.5 years. Younger individuals generally have lower reproductive success than older individuals.

Although black-headed pythons are seasonally monogamous, both males and females may seek extra-pair copulations. Male black-headed pythons are not as aggressive as most pythonids, which frequently engage in male to male combat. However, some instances of combat have been recorded which may include combative sparring or biting. In captivity, males paired with a single female have the highest mating success rate. Copulation can range from 20 minutes to six hours. Black-headed pythons females incubate their eggs by coiling around them.

Pygmy Pythons

Pygmy pythons (Antaresia perthensis) are also known as the anthill pythons. Found mainly in the Pilbara region of northwest Australia they are the smallest member of the python family (Pythonidae) and are often found in termite mounds. The Pilbara region is south of the Kimberly Tropical Savanna ecoregion and includes some of the hottest and driest areas of Australia. The landscape is made up mostly of flat land with sparse vegetation, which is generally either Spinifex bushes (small grassy bushes which cover small rocky hills) or stunted eucalyptus trees. [Source: Chelsea Blanchet, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) |=|]

Herpetologists locate pygmy pythons by burning spinifex bushes, where they often hide in the bushes during the day to escape the blazing Australian sun. These snakes are often found in large termite mounds, where they spend almost all daylight hours, typically sharing the large mounds with other species such as Stimson's pythons, black-headed pythons, king brown snakes, moon snakes and broad-banded sand swimmers. The daytime temperatures in the mounds can reach up to 38 C, which are ideal conditions for these ectothermic (“cold blooded”) pythons. While inside the mounds, pygmy pythons and other snakes curl around each other into what looks like a large ball. Time spent in the mounds is normally used to rest and convert the heat around them into energy. In addition to spinifex bushes and termite mounds, Pygmy pythons can occasionally be found under rocks.

Pygmy python near Tom Price, Western Australia

On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, pygmy pythons are classified as a species of “Least Concern”. They are abundant and widespread in the Pilbara region of northwest Australia. The only significant threats they face are cars and the pet trade. They are often run over and have been smuggled out of Australia, a crime is punishable by large fines and jail time. |=|

Pygmy python young are at high risk of predation. These snakes are eaten by a variety of birds, carnivorous mammals, large frogs, spiders, and other snakes. Though adult pygmy pythons are at a slightly lower risk, their small size still makes them easy prey. The dark red color of this species helps them to avoid capture somewhat, as it helps them to blend with their environment.

Pygmy Python Characteristics and Diet

Pygmy pythons are so small they seem to hardly qualify as pythons yet but they have the same anatomy and morphology that larger pythons have. Pygtmy python range in weight from 180 to 210 grams (6.3 to 7.4 ounces), with an average weight of around 200 grams (7 ounces) and are 42 to 62 centimeters (16.54 to 24.41 inches) long, with an average length of 55 centimeters (21.65 inches). At the time of hatching, these tiny snake are only about 17 centimeters long and weigh four grams. They are known to live more than 25 years. Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is present: Females are larger than males.[Source: Chelsea Blanchet, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) |=|]

The head of pygmy pythons is short and wedge shaped, while the neck and body are thick and muscular. The back side is typically dark brick red and may be patterned. The pattern is made of approximately four regular black markings which give the impression of crossbars. Generally patterns and colors are brighter and more vivid in younger snakes, sometimes fading completely at maturity. The undersides of pygmy pythons are creamy white. The scalation is as follows: 31-35 mid body rows, 205-255 ventral scales, a single anal scale, and 30-45 subcaudals. |=|

range of pygmy python in blue

Pygmy pythons are carnivores (eat meat or animal parts) and mostly eat terrestrial vertebrates including reptiles, small mammals, birds and amphibians as well as insects and non-insect arthropods such as spiders. Their diet changes as they grow older. Young snakes generally eat small, reptiles, including geckos and skinks. Adults primarily eat small mammals, such as bats, which they catch by positioning themselves on ledges at cave entrances and striking at the bats as they fly in and out of the caves. They also prey on amphibians. Pygmy pythons kill prey by constriction and hunt mainly at night in part to avoid the extreme temperatures experienced during the day in the Pilbara region.

Pygmy Python Behavior, Senses and Reproduction

Pygmy pythons are terricolous (live on the ground), diurnal (active during the daytime), nocturnal (active at night) and sedentary (remain in the same area). They are generally solitary, only being found with other pygmy pythons during the mating season. Although these snakes are often found with group of snakes in termite mounds, these are opportunistic aggregations that help conserve energy and are not social interaction. [Source: Chelsea Blanchet, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) |=|]

Pygmy pythons sense using vision, infrared light, touch, vibrations and chemicals usually detected with smelling or smelling-like senses and communicate with touch, chemicals and pheromones (chemicals released into air or water that are detected by and responded to by other animals of the same species). Pygmy python underbellies come in direct contact with the ground and are very sensitive to vibrations. This allows snakes to sense other animals approaching by detecting the faint vibrations in the air and on the ground. Research suggests that Pygmy pythons communicates like most other snake species, using mainly scent to find prey and communicate.

Pygmy pythons are polygynandrous (promiscuous), with both males and females having multiple partners, are oviparous, meaning that young are hatched from eggs.They engage in seasonal breeding. The gestation period ranges from two to three months. The eggs are encased in a thin parchment-like shell. The number of eggs laid ranges from two to six. The eggs take about two months to hatch, during which time the mother python will stay coiled around her eggs to provide protection and warmth. Once the eggs hatch, the young are independent. Females and males reach sexual or reproductive maturity as early as two years. [Source: Chelsea Blanchet, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) |=|]

According to Animal Diversity Web: Like most small snakes, pygmy pythons exhibit a trait called pairing behavior, where multiple males and females move about together. It is believed that this behavior is a result of males following the females specifically to mate, in response to a release of pheromones by the female. The female snake releases these pheromones in response to a drop in the surrounding temperature. Males rub their bodies along the female’s cloacal spurs, which are used to initiate the breeding response in females. This helps to entice the female before begining coppulation. The reproductive organs of male snakes are paired, forked hemipenes, which are stored, inverted, in the male's tail. The hemipenes are often grooved, hooked, or spindled in order to grip the walls of the female's cloaca.

Ensuring that Pygmy pythons eggs are incubated at sufficient temperatures is essential to the success of the eggs. Python eggs are particularly temperature sensitive and, if incubated at insufficient temperatures, many young fail to develop or develop birth defects such as spinal kyphosis. Cooler incubation temperatures can also result in abnormalities in a darkening or color or the presence of a stripped pattern. To aid in the hatching process, Pygmy pythons have a small egg tooth on the end of their nose. The egg tooth helps the hatching snakes to break through their tough shells and will fall off within a few weeks of hatching.

Green Tree Pythons

Green tree pythons (Morelia viridis) are a species of snake in the python family (Pythonidae) native to New Guinea, some islands in Indonesia, and the Cape York Peninsula in Australia. First described by Hermann Schlegel in 1872, they are bright in color as their common name suggests and can reach lengths of two meters m (6.6 feet) and weigh of 1.6 kilograms (3.5 pounds). They generally live in trees and mainly hunt and eat small reptiles and mammals. They are popular pets, and their numbers in the wild have suffered, especially in Indonesia, due to large-scale smuggling of wild-caught snakes. [Source: Wikipedia]

Green tree pythons were formerly known by the scientific name Chondropython viridis and were placed in their own genus. When scientists noticed the similarities with Australian and New Guinea carpet pythons, it was placed in the genus Morelia and given the scientific name Morelia viridis. In the pet trade, however, green tree pythons still go by the nickname “chondro”.[Source: Michael Hillman, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) |=|]

Green tree pythons are found in northeast Australia, throughout New Guinea and surrounding islands, except the Bismarck Archipelago. and many of the eastern islands of Indonesia. Those in Eastern Indonesia occur in Misool, Salawati, Aru Islands, Schouten Islands. Those in New Guinea are in Papua and West Papua in Indonesia and in found Papua New Guinea (including nearby islands, Normanby Island and the d'Entrecasteaux Islands. In Australia they reside in Queensland along the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula. Green tree pythons live in tropical areas in rain forests at elevations from sea level to 2000 meters (6562 feet). The juvenile yellow morph of green tree pythons are found throughout their range, while the juvenile red morph are only found in parts of New Guinea.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org , National Geographic, Live Science, Natural History magazine, Australian Museum, David Attenborough books, Australia Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Discover magazine, The Conversation, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Wikipedia, The Guardian, Top Secret Animal Attack Files website and various books and other publications.

Last updated August 2025