Coastal Carpet Python
Morelia spilota mcdowelli • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Pythonidae, Subfamily: Pythoninae, Genus: Morelia, Species: Morelia spilota
Eastern Australia, primarily along the coastal regions and ranges of Queensland and New South Wales.
Look up Coastal Carpet Python in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Pythonidae, Subfamily: Pythoninae, Genus: Morelia, Species: Morelia spilota
Conservation
Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List, with stable populations, though locally impacted by habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and predation by introduced carnivores.
Physical Description
Robust, muscular body with a distinct broad head, vertical pupils, and smooth scales. Pattern consists of dark brown, olive, or black blotches, bands, and stripes over a lighter background of yellow, cream, or brown, providing effective camouflage in leaf litter.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen pictured appears to be a medium-sized adult around 2 meters. Typical adult size for the subspecies ranges from 2 to 3 meters, with exceptional individuals reaching up to 4 meters.
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of habitats from rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests to open woodlands, coastal areas, and agricultural land. Often utilizes hollow trees, rock crevices, and roof spaces.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on endothermic prey including birds, rodents, possums, and other small mammals. Employs an ambush hunting strategy, striking prey and using constriction to subdue it before swallowing whole.
Reproduction
Oviparous species. Females lay clutches typically ranging from 10 to over 40 eggs in secluded locations like hollow logs or rock cavities, and coil around the clutch to incubate and protect the eggs.
Conservation Status
Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List, with stable populations, though locally impacted by habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and predation by introduced carnivores.
Cultural Significance
Significantly represented in Australian Aboriginal culture, art, and Dreamtime stories as creator spirits or ancestral beings. Ecologically important as a top predator regulating rodent and small mammal populations.
Notable Features
Possesses heat-sensitive labial pits along the upper and lower jaws used to detect endothermic prey in low-light conditions. Exhibits strong arboreal tendencies while equally at home on the ground.