Morelia bredli

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Morelia bredli

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pythonidae
Genus:	Morelia
Species:	M. bredli

Binomial name

Morelia bredli
(Gow, 1981)

Synonyms

Python bredli - Gow, 1981
Morelia bredli - Cogger, Cameron & Cogger, 1983^[1]

Common names: Bredl's python, Centralian python, Centralian carpet python.

Morelia bredli is a non-venomous python species found in Australia. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[2]

1 Description
2 Geographic range
3 Habitat
4 Captivity
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Description

This is a heavily-built species with adults approaching or exceding 2 metres in length. The color pattern consists of a brown-to-reddish ground color with a highly variable pattern of pale intrusions. There are normally black borders around the intrusions that become more extensive around the tail. The belly is yellowish to pale cream. ^[3]

[edit] Geographic range

Found in Australia in the mountains of southern Northern Territory. The type locality given is "Pitchie Ritchie Park, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia (23°42', 133°51').^[1]

[edit] Habitat

Prefers very arid desert areas. Normally arboreal inhabiting ranges and rocky outcrops.

[edit] Captivity

These snakes are easy to handle and maintain if looked after properly. They require a temperature 26-32°C during summer and a few degrees less in winter (if you wish for them to hibernate). The cage should have a warm and cold end so the snake can decide its own temperature and find a good spot. They should have access to clean cool water at all times, although they rarely use it. Feeding should be regular at 7-to-10 day intervals depending on the size of food and the snake. Some individuals tend not to like rats. If this is the case, chicks or hamsters can be fed. When shedding, they can become slightly agitated and aggressive.