Morelia spilota cheynei
Morelia spilota cheynei, or the jungle carpet python, is a python subspecies[2] found in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia.
| Morelia spilota cheynei | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pythonidae |
| Genus: | Morelia |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | M. s. cheynei |
| Trinomial name | |
| Morelia spilota cheynei Wells & Wellington, 1984 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Etymology
The specific name, cheynei, is in honor of Cheyne Wellington.[3]
Geographic range
The type locality given is "Ravenshoe, on the Atherton Tableland, north Queensland, in Lat. 17° 36' S, Long 145° 29' E" (Australia).[1][4]
Size
Adults of these medium-sized pythons typically measure 5–7 ft (1.5–2.1 m) in total length. However, wild caught females are known to grow to over 8.5 ft (2.6 m). As with most species of snakes, females are typically larger than males.
Diet
Like all snakes these semiarboreal snakes are strictly carnivorous. They feed on medium-sized rodents such as rats, mice, and baby rabbits in captivity.
References
- McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- "Morelia spilota cheynei". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
- Wells & Wellington, 1984. p. 107.
- Wells & Wellington, 1984. p. 106.
A young jungle carpet python in shed
Further reading
- Wells, R.W.; Wellington, C.R. (1984). "A Synopsis of the Class Reptilia in Australia". Australian Journal of Herpetology. 1 (3–4): 73–129. ("Morelia cheynei sp. nov.", pp. 106–107.)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Morelia spilota cheynei.
- Morelia spilota at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 17 September 2007.
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