Pythons occur in all mainland Australian States but they are most common in the tropical north where eight of Australia’s 15 species are found. They range from the Pygmy Python,with a total length of 50 cm,to the largest snake in Australia, the Amethystine Python, recorded at 8.5 In long. All except the Woma and the Black-headed Python have a broad head,a relatively narrow neck and heat sensitive pits on their lips.
The pits are capable of detecting differences in temperature and assist m locating warm-blooded prey: all pythons constrict their prey. They are mainly nocturnal but they are sometimes encountered basking during the day. Although pythons are non-venomous, they have sharp backward-curving teeth and can inflict a painful bite. Pythons are the only snakes to retain the vestiges of hind-limbs: these take the form of spurs situated on either side of their vent.
All pythons lay eggs.The female pushes them into a mound that she can coil around while they incubate. She will stay coiled around the eggs, not eating, and leaving only to heat up in the sun.When the young emerge from the eggs and disperse the female departs to find food for herself. From birth the hatchings are on their own and must fend for themselves.
Woma Python
Pythons generally constrict their prey by coiling around it and increasing the pressure every time the animal breathes out. The prey then suffocates as it cannot draw another breath.
Water Python
The Water Python is a northern Australian species that, as its name suggests, is usually associated ith water. It is found around freshwater billabongs,watercourses, lagoons and swamps and feeds on mammals, birds, particularly waterbirds, and reptiles. It is also known to eat birds’ eggs. The Water Pythons around Fogg Dam near Darwin have been found to occur in huge numbers.
Childrens' Python
Children’s python is a name applied to a group of three small pythons. Contrary to popular belief their name does not signify that they are pythons for children; it is in fact the name of an English naturalist, JG. Children after whom the snakes were named.
Amethystine Python
The Amethystine Python, which is also known as the Scrub Python, is Australia’s largest snake. Specimens have been measured at more than 8.5 m in length but this is quite exceptional and a 5 meter snake is regarded as very big.
Carpet Python
The Amethystine Python, which is also known as the Scrub Python, is Australia’s largest snake. Specimens have been measured at more than 8.5 m in length but this is quite exceptional and a 5 meter snake is regarded as very big.
The Amethystine Python, which is also known as the Scrub Python, is Australia’s largest snake. Specimens have been measured at more than 8.5 m in length but this is quite exceptional and a 5 meter snake is regarded as very big.
