Morelia bredli

Morelia bredli
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Morelia
Species:
M. bredli
Binomial name
Morelia bredli
(Gow, 1981)
Synonyms[2]

Morelia bredli is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is endemic to Australia. No subspecies are recognized.[3] Its common names include Bredl's python, the Centralian python, the Centralian carpet python, the central Australian carpet python, Bredl's carpet python, the central Australian Bredl's carpet python, and the central Bredl's carpet python.

Etymology

The specific name bredli is in honor of Australian crocodile conservationist Josef "Joe" Bredl (1948–2007), brother of "the barefoot bushman" Rob Bredl.[4]

Description

Morelia bredli is a slender python that can reach lengths of up to, although rare, 3 meters. The color pattern consists of a brown to reddish ground color with a highly variable pattern of pale intrusions. There are normally black borders around the intrusions that become more extensive around the tail. The belly is yellowish to pale cream.[5]

Geographic range

In Australia, M. bredli is found in the mountains of the southern Northern Territory. The type locality given is "Pitchie Ritchie Park, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia (23°42', 133°51')".[2]

Habitat

M. bredli is found in a variety of habitats, including dry desert, savanna, woodland forest, and freshwater wetlands, preferring to inhabit foothills, ridges, and rocky outcroppings.[1] These animals can be found hunting and resting arboreally (in trees), as well as terrestrially.

Reproduction

M. bredli is oviparous.[6]

  • Facial detail, anterior
    Facial detail, anterior
  • Detail of markings on wild specimen
    Detail of markings on wild specimen
  • Zoo specimen
    Zoo specimen
  • Juvenile
    Juvenile

References

  1. ^ a b Cogger, H.; Fenner, A.; Hutchinson, M.; McDonald, P. (2017). "Morelia bredli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T42494066A42494080. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T42494066A42494080.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. ^ "Morelia bredli ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
  4. ^ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Morelia bredli, pp. 37-38).
  5. ^ Centralian Carpet Python, Morelia spilota bredli Archived 2008-07-19 at the Wayback Machine at the Snake Ranch. Accessed 11 April 2008.
  6. ^ Species Morelia bredli at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading

  • Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350. (Morelia bredli, p. 826).
  • Gow GF (1981). "A new species of python from central Australia". Australian Journal of Herpetology. 1 (1): 29–34. (Python bredli, new species).