Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Higher classification Python family | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Scientific name Aspidites Rank Genus | |
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Lower classifications Aspidites ramsayi, Aspidites melanocephalus | ||
Aspidites is a genus of pythons endemic to Australia. The name can be translated as "shield bearer" and pertains to the symmetrically shaped head scales. Currently, two species are recognized.
Contents
- Unexpected encounters with australian reptiles the black headed python aspidites melanocephalus
- Description
- Geographic range
- Behavior
- Reproduction
- Species
- Taxonomy
- References
Unexpected encounters with australian reptiles the black headed python aspidites melanocephalus
Description
These snakes lack the heat sensitive pits between the labial scales that most other python species have.
The head is slightly wider than the neck, and the eye is small, with a vertically elliptic pupil.
Geographic range
Found in Australia except in the south of the country.
Behavior
Both species are nocturnal, and terrestrial.
Reproduction
Oviparous. The females stay with their eggs until they hatch.
Species
T) Type species.
Taxonomy
Two new subspecies, A. ramsayi panoptes, the western woma python, and A. r. richardjonesii, the desert woma python, were described by Hoser (2001). However, these descriptions are questionable, as they do not include proper diagnoses and seem to be based only on distribution.
