Morelia oenpelliensis
The Oenpellipython (Morelia oenpelliensis ) is a type of diamond pythons from the family of pythons ( Pythonidae ). The species is named after the village of Oenpelli in Australia.
Features
With an average length of 2 to 3 meters and a maximum length of about 4 meters of Oenpellipython one of the largest species of snakes in Australia. The head is elongated and clearly deducted from the neck. The body is compressed remarkably slim for a Python and sides. The back is fawn, the flanks are pale gray, belly cream to yellowish. When drawing the kind bears irregularly shaped dark spots and polka dots in four to six longitudinal rows. The head wears brown stripes temple, the top can be a solid color or spotted.
The frontal shield is large and undivided, partially shared or completely divided into three or four shields. Before that are 15 to 35 small shields that are adjacent to the posterior prefrontal. The front pair Präfrontalia borders on a pair Internasalschilde. The large eye is surrounded 5-8 pre-and 5-7 Postocularschilden. There are 27-50 Lorealschilde available. Heat sensory pores located on the rostral and the first six to seven of the 22 to 25 Infralabialschilde and missing out on the 13 to 16 Supralabialschilden. The hull has 70 rows of smooth scales in oblique rows, 429-445 and 155-163 Ventralschilde usually divided Subkaudalschilde and an undivided anal shield.
Dissemination and lifestyle
The Oenpellipython is endemic in the western Arnhem Land in Australia's Northern Territory. The habitat includes the weathered sandstone massifs and dry forests as well as some spots monsoon forest.
The species lives both on the ground and in trees and feeds primarily on medium to large mammals, particularly possums and kangaroos. During the day the animals hide in rock crevices, caves or large tree stumps. Little is known about reproduction in captivity nests were observed from 4 to 9 eggs.
Swell
- Ludwig Trutnau: Non-toxic snakes, Part 1 4th edition. Eugen Ulmer GmbH & Co., Stuttgart 2002, ISBN 3-8001-3223-0.