Normal
Type: Other
Aliases: Wild, Classic
Issues: N/A
First Produced In: Unknown
Availability: Rarest
Last Updated: 2021-12-14
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About
Differences in activity are noted throughout various subspecies; as a whole, the species is generally active during both daytime and nighttime, although the subspecies M. s. variegata are noted to be primarily nocturnal. [1]
History
The first description of M. spilota was by Lacépède (1804), who placed it in the genus Coluber as Coluber spilotus. The species has since been described by various authors as containing a number of subspecies and hybrids, these have also been known by various informal names. The attempted arrangement of taxa in this, and other, Australasian Pythonidae has produced numerous synonyms. The discreet and roaming habits of this species have produced a low number of recorded specimens, giving inadequate sample numbers to support descriptions of a taxon’s morphology. This is the case with proposed names which are sometimes cited, such as the Papuan Morelia spilota harrisoni (Hoser), despite being unaccepted or invalid. Common names are regional variants of carpet and diamond python or snake. [^2Preformatted text]
Appearance
Head
The head is triangular with a conspicuous row of thermoreceptive labial pits.
Body
The coloring of M. spilota is highly variable, ranging from olive to black with white or cream and gold markings. The patterning may be roughly diamond-shaped or have intricate markings made up of light and dark bands on a background of gray or a version of brown. [2]
Proven Lines
Subspecies
- M. s. cheynei - Jungle carpet python - Australia in northeastern Queensland
- M. s. mcdowelli - Coastal carpet python - Australia in eastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales
- M. s. metcalfei - Inland carpet python - Australia in the Murray-Darling Basin of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia
- M. s. spilota - Diamond python - Australia in eastern New South Wales and the extreme east of Victoria
- M. s. variegata - Darwin carpet python, Irian Jaya carpet python, Papuan carpet python, Rubber python - New Guinea (Western New Guinea and Papua New Guinea) and Australia in northwestern Western Australia and in the northern portion of the Northern Territory (specimens from New Guinea are referred to by Hoser (2000) as M. harrisoni, but this is not officially recognized as a separate species or subspecies) [3]
Related Traits
No known related traits
Combos
Hypo Zebra Jaguar Het Axanthic Other Carpet Python by StarPythons Inc.
True Hypo Tiger Coastals Coastal Carpet Python by Inland Reptile
Albino Granite Irian Jaya Carpet Python by StarPythons Inc.
Axanthic Super Zebra Female 2015 Other Carpet Python by StarPythons Inc.
Hypo Genetic Stripe Centralian Carpet Python by Inland Reptile
Hypomelanistic Stonewashed Centralian Carpet Python by Inland Reptile
