Inland Reptile

Description

The most distinctive feature of this species is the black head and neck from which its name is derived. The body is clad in shades of brown with irregular banding which is darkest along the dorsal surface. Eastern specimens can exhibit a reddish hue to the body patterning, particularly on the flanks. Western specimens are lighter in color with some animals displaying nearly black and white markings.
This species varies considerably in size. Western populations are considered the smallest with adults growing to around 5-6ft. The adult size of A melanocephalus increases progressively moving eastward. Animals in the eastern portion of their range grow to the largest sizes and can achieve lengths of nearly 10ft and weights in excess of 20lbs.
The east/west dichotomy also applies to the disposition of the animal, with typical eastern specimens exhibiting a calm demeanor while western animals are typically more aggressive.
Black-headed pythons exhibit some distinct morphological characteristics. The two most obvious traits that set both black-headed pythons as well as the other species in the genus aspidites (A ramsayi) apart from all other pythons are their head structure and their lack of visible thermo receptive pits. The head structure is modified in much the same way as is seen in many fossorial species, with the rostoral area tapering to a sharp leading edge. It is a logical adaptation considering this species spends considerable time underground in animal burrows often with only its head protruding. The second unique characteristic of this genus its lack of visible heat pits, has been the subject of much study and debate. The conventional belief for years was that Aspidites was the most primitive of the python genera based on their lack of thermo receptive pits. It now seems unlikely that Aspidites lack heat pits because they are a more primitive lineage, rather it seems more likely that they have simply lost most traces of their thermo receptors. The habitat and lifestyle of both Aspidites species reduce the need for these features and could make them problematic as they become clogged with fine red desert sand. Both species of Aspidites feed on a much higher percentage of reptiles in their diet than is typical for most python taxa. The diet of A melanocephalus in the wild is predominantly comprised of reptiles with mammals and bird making up only a small percentage. This increased amount of cold-blooded prey further negates the need for thermo receptors. Some recent research suggests that though there may be no external signs of thermo receptors, these animals may still posses a limited heat sensing ability.

Habitat

These pythons are found in a variety of habitats from sclerophyll forest and grassland to more rocky areas but are most commonly found in regions of open forest.

 

 

Distribution

Black-headed pythons have a wide distribution throughout most of the northern third of Australia. This species ranges from the Pilbara in Western Australia all the way to the east coast, as far south as Gladstone. The population in the Pilbara is isolated and may be disjunct from the rest of the range of melanocaphalus. The Great Sandy Desert isolates the Pilbara population and though there is a narrow corridor between the desert and the coast it is not known with certainty if there is gene flow through this area.

Projects

I am currently working with 1.1 Het-Axanthic specimens from Northern Territory.

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