Description
Water Pythons are large, robust snakes that grow to around two metres in length. They have plain dark brown or black scales on their backs, and have distinctive yellow bellies. These snakes are sometimes called Rainbow Pythons because of the rainbow sheen that sometimes appears on their scales. Like all pythons, these snakes are not venomous. They suffocate their prey by constriction.
Habitat
Water Pythons reside in the monsoonal belt across the top of the continent and parts of southern New Guinea. Despite their name, they do not live exclusively in water. They can be found in watercourses, swamps and billabongs close to forests or heavily wooded areas.
Diet
As opportunistic feeders, Water Pythons eat a variety of carnivore meals, including small mammals, water birds and even young crocodiles. In the Northern Territory their favourite food is the Dusky Rat, which is only found in Australia. Heat-sensing pits, located on their lips, help pythons to detect warm-blooded prey. Like all snakes, they also “smell” with their forked tongue, transferring the scent to an organ on the roof of their mouths.
Behaviour
This species is most active at night and they can often be seen moving across roads in an attempt to reach water. During the day they like to hide away in hollow logs, burrows and under vegetation. Water Pythons have a higher metabolism compared with other snakes and will often travel considerable distances during a night’s hunt.
Reproduction
Mating occurs during February-March or in June-September. Clutches of 6-23 leathery eggs are produced that the mothers try to keep warm by coiling around them. In the world of cold-blooded animals, this is almost unheard of.
Lifespan
Water Pythons live for between 10 and 25 years.
Threats & Conservation Status
The Water Python’s natural predators include crocodiles, feral cats, foxes and dingos. Many are also the victim of car accidents, run over as they cross roads at night in their search for food
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