Spotted python facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spotted python |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Antaresia
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| Species: |
maculosa
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The spotted python, also called the eastern small-blotched python or eastern children's python (Antaresia maculosa), is a type of snake. You can find it in northern Australia and New Guinea. Many people in Australia like to keep it as a pet. This is because it's not too big and usually has a calm personality. There are no different types (subspecies) of this snake known right now.
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About the Spotted Python's Name
A scientist named Wilhelm Peters first described the spotted python in 1873. Sometimes, new types of animals are found. But for the spotted python, scientists agree that there are no different subspecies (or types) of Antaresia maculosa today.
What Does the Spotted Python Look Like?
Adult spotted pythons usually grow to be about 100 to 140 centimeters long. That's about the length of a tall kid! They have a cool pattern of blotches (spots) on their skin. This pattern stays with them their whole life. These spots have rough edges because the dark color only shows up on whole scales.
Where Do Spotted Pythons Live?
You can find spotted pythons in many parts of Australia. They live from the very north of the Cape York Peninsula. They also live south through eastern Queensland to northern New South Wales. You can also find them on many islands off the coast of Queensland.
These snakes live in most types of places. But they really like rocky hillsides and areas with cracks and caves. They have also been seen in Papua New Guinea. One snake was found near an old airstrip. It was hiding behind some metal sheets. This area had eucalypt trees and many termite mounds.
What Do Spotted Pythons Eat?
One of their favorite foods is bats. They catch these insect-eating bats right at the entrance of their caves. Since spotted pythons are the largest snakes in their group, pet ones will usually eat mice and other small rodents. Young spotted pythons often eat small lizards, mammals, and sometimes even frogs.
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Spotted Pythons are often mistaken for the Children's python.
Reproduction
Spotted pythons are oviparous. This means the female snake lays eggs. A female can lay up to 15 eggs in one group, called a clutch.
- Mattison C. 1999. Snake. DK Publishing.
- Fyfe G, Green D. 2003. Keeping Children's Pythons. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications.
