| Antaresia maculosa | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pythonidae |
| Genus: | Antaresia |
| Species: | A. maculosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Antaresia maculosa (Peters, 1873) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Antaresia maculosa is a non-venomous python species found in northern Australia. A popular pet among Australian reptile enthusiasts due to its small size and even temperament. No subspecies are currently recognized.[2]
Contents |
Adults average about 100-140 cm in length. It has an irregular, blotched color pattern throughout its life. The blotches have ragged edges because the dark pigmentation occurs only on complete scales.
Found in Australia from the extreme north of the Cape York Peninsula, south through eastern Queensland to northern New South Wales. Also on many islands off the coast of Queensland. The type locality given is "Rockhampton, Port Mackay, Port Bowen [= Port Clinton]" [Queensland, Australia]. L.A. Smith (1985) restricted the type locality to "Port Mackay" (Mackay, Queensland, in 21° 09'S, 149° 11'E) by lectotype designation.[1]
Found in most types of habitats, but prefers rocky hillsides and outcrops with crevices and caves.
One of its favorite foods are the insectivorous bats that it catches at the entrance of their caves. Being the largest members of this genus, captive specimens will usually accept mice and other small rodents.
Oviparous, with females laying up to 15 eggs at a time.
A new subspecies, A. m. brentonoloughlini was described by Hoser (2003).[3]