Black-headed python

Image:Blackheaded python2.jpg.]]

Image:Harriet Scott - Black-headed Snake, Aspidiotes melanocephalus - Google Art Project.jpg{{cite book|author=Krefft G|author-link=Gerard Krefft|date=1869|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/58853328|title=The Snakes of Australia; An Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of All the Known Species}} Sydney: Thomas Richards, Government Printer. xxv + 100 pp. + index + Plates I–XII. (Aspidiotes melanocephalus, pp. 33–34 + Plate III & Plate V, figure 4).]]

Adults of A. melanocephalus typically grow to {{convert|1.5|-|2|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} in length (including tail),Burnie, David; Wilson, Don E. (Editors-in-Chief) (2001). Animal. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 pp. {{ISBN|0-7894-7764-5}}. but can grow to a maximum length of {{convert|3.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The body is muscular with a flattened profile, while the tail tapers to a thin point.

The top of the head is covered by large symmetrical scales. The dorsal scales, which are smooth and glossy, number 50-65 rows at midbody, while 315-355 ventral scales occur. The tail has 60-75 mainly single subcaudal scales and the anal scale is single. The posterior subcaudals tend to be divided, often irregularly.

The color pattern consists of shades of black, dark grey, brown, gold, and cream arranged in a banded or brindled pattern. The belly is light-colored, flecked with darker spots. The head is shiny black that also extends down the neck and throat for several inches.

The species A. melanocephalus is found in Australia, in the northern half of the country, excluding the very arid regions. The type locality given is "Port Denison Bowen", Queensland, Australia. It occurs in humid tropical to semiarid conditions.

Image:BlackHeadedPythonKingAshBay.jpg on a cold morning]]

A. melanocephalus is terrestrial and is often found amongst rocks and loose debris. If disturbed, it hisses loudly, but is unlikely to bite unless hunting prey. It sometimes strikes with a closed mouth, but generally can be handled easily. It is a strong swimmer, but is almost never found in water. It is not venomous.

The diet of A. melanocephalus consists mainly of reptiles, including snakes, but it will eat mammals and some birds if available.{{cite web | url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Aspidites_melanocephalus/ | title=Aspidites melanocephalus (Black-headed Python) | website=Animal Diversity Web }} Skinks are the primary prey of the black-headed python. Other important prey include geckos, bearded dragons, legless lizards and the perentie, the largest monitor lizard native to Australia, as well as other black-headed pythons.{{cite web|title=Cannibalistic Snake Devours Fellow Black-Headed Python Alive|date=19 October 2023|url=https://www.newsweek.com/cannibalistic-snake-devours-black-headed-python-alive-1836039|publisher=Newsweek|author=White, Robyn White}} When ingesting large prey, it positions one or two coils just ahead of its distended mouth and by constriction makes the task of swallowing easier.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

A. melanocephalus is oviparous. Adult females lay five to 10 eggs per clutch. The females stay coiled about the eggs and incubate them until they hatch, which is usually after 2–3 months. The young take small prey as soon as two days after hatching. Immature individuals are vulnerable to predation. Adults have no natural predators other than dingos and humans.

Due to its docile nature and striking color pattern, A. melanocephalus has become very desirable as an exotic pet. It is bred in captivity and can be relatively easily obtained, but does command a high price. As it can be a muscular snake and reaches a fairly substantial size, prospective owners should consider a suitable enclosure, as well as temperature and feeding requirements.

A. melanocephalus is mentioned in, or plays a central role in, the stories of the Indigenous Australians Dreamtime tradition.

{{Reflist}}

• Boulenger GA (1893). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families ... Boidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I–XXVIII. (Aspidites melanocephalus, p. 91).
• Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. {{ISBN|978-0643100350}}.
• Krefft G (1864). "Description of Aspidiotes melanocephalus, a New Snake from Port Denison, N.E. Australia". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1864: 20-22.
• Wilson S, Swan G (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. {{ISBN|978-1921517280}}.

{{Commons}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hShq03xeCKQ Black-headed Python video] Accessed 30 June 2013
• {{NRDB species|genus=Aspidites|species=melanocephalus|date=19 September|year=2007}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070216030906/http://www.wardamanwomensbusiness.com/wwbcstory.html The Creation Story of the Wardaman People] at [http://www.wardamanwomensbusiness.com/ Renewing Women's Business]. Accessed 19 September 2007.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060821085552/http://zoo.org.au/animal_page.cfm?area_id=25&zoo_id=1&animal_id=111 Black-Headed Python] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060819161012/http://zoo.org.au/ Zoos Victoria]. Accessed 19 September 2007.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060328005002/http://www.pythonpete.com/info/blackinf.htm Aspidites melanocephalus] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060427131947/http://www.pythonpete.com/index.htm/index.html#Python Python Pete Reptiles]. Accessed 19 September 2007.

{{Pythonidae}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q265773}}

Category:Pythonidae

Category:Reptiles of Western Australia

Category:Taxa named by Gerard Krefft

Category:Reptiles described in 1864

Category:Snakes of Australia