Morelia spilota metcalfei facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morelia spilota metcalfei |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pythonidae |
| Genus: | Morelia |
| Species: | |
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M. s. metcalfei
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| Trinomial name | |
| Morelia spilota metcalfei Wells & Wellington, 1984
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| Range of M. s. spilota (in red) | |
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The Murray Darling carpet python (scientific name: Morelia spilota metcalfei) is a type of python found in Australia. It's also known by other names like the inland carpet python or MD carpet python. These snakes are not venomous; instead, they catch their food by wrapping around it and squeezing.
Adult Murray Darling carpet pythons usually grow to be about 2.4 meters (8 feet) long, but some can reach up to 2.7 meters (9 feet). Their colors change depending on where they live. For example, pythons from Victoria are silver with black spots and stripes. As you move into New South Wales, their silver color becomes a light brown, and the patterns turn dark brown instead of black. In South Australia, you might even see patches of maroon on them.
These pythons live both on the ground and in trees. They like places such as rocky areas, dry woodlands, forests near rivers, and flood plains.
Contents
What do Murray Darling Pythons Eat?
In the wild, Murray Darling pythons hunt and eat different animals. Their natural diet includes:
- Mammals (like small kangaroos or possums)
- Birds
- Lizards
When kept as pets, young pythons are usually fed mice and rats. As they grow bigger, adult pythons can eat larger prey like rabbits, quails, and small chickens.
Where do Murray Darling Pythons Live?
You can find the Murray Darling carpet python in Australia. They live in the Murray-Darling Basin, which is a large river system that flows through several states. These states include:
Murray Darling Pythons as Pets
Murray Darling pythons are quite popular as pets because they generally have a calm nature. If you want to keep one as a pet in Australia, you usually need to get a special license and pay some fees.
Just like other types of carpet pythons, you can find many different color and pattern variations among pet Murray Darling pythons. Some of these are natural, while others are specially bred to have unique looks, such as albino pythons or ones with fewer patterns.
Image Gallery
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A 6-month-old Murray Darling carpet python.
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A close-up view of the scales on an adult male python.
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Someone handling a pet adult male Murray Darling python.
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A pet adult female python soaking in a water bowl.
