Kingdom Animalia Order Squamata Genus Antaresia Higher classification Antaresia | Phylum Chordata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Antaresia maculosa Rank Species | |
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Similar Antaresia, Snake, Python family, Reptile, Children's python | ||
Spotted python male antaresia maculosa
Antaresia maculosa is a python species found in northern Australia. It is a popular pet among Australian reptile enthusiasts due to its small size and even temperament. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Contents
- Spotted python male antaresia maculosa
- Spotted pythons hatching antaresia maculosa
- Description
- Geographic range
- Habitat
- Feeding
- Reproduction
- Taxonomy
- References
Spotted pythons hatching antaresia maculosa
Description
Adults average about 100–140 cm (39-55inches) 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.
Geographic range
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. Antaresia maculosa has also been recorded from the southern Trans-Fly region of Papua New Guinea, at Weam in Western Province and there are concerns it may be being exploited for the pet trade across the border in Indonesian West New Guinea.
Habitat
Found in most types of habitats, but prefers rocky hillsides and outcrops with crevices and caves. The Papua specimen was found behind discarded corrugated tin sheets beside a disused airstrip in Eucalypt savanna-woodland habitat dotted with numerous termite mounds.
Feeding
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.
Reproduction
Oviparous, with females laying up to 15 eggs in a clutch.
Taxonomy
A new subspecies, A. m. brentonoloughlini was described by Hoser (2003). but this taxon is not considered valid by other herpetologists. No subspecies of Antaresia maculosa are currently recognised.