Pythonidae
Centralian Carpet Python
HarmlessMorelia bredli
The Centralian Carpet Python (Morelia bredli) is a non-venomous snake in the Pythonidae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Pythonidae
About the Centralian Carpet Python
Morelia bredli is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is endemic to Australia. No subspecies are recognized. 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.
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.
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')".
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. These animals can be found hunting and resting arboreally (in trees), as well as terrestrially.
Ecology
M. bredli eats birds that nest in tree holes, possums, rock wallaby and occasionally feral cats and rabbits.
Reproduction
M. bredli is oviparous. and may lay between 13-47 eggs
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Centralian Carpet Python
- Is the Centralian Carpet Python venomous?
- No. The Centralian Carpet Python (Morelia bredli) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Centralian Carpet Python poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Centralian Carpet Python is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Centralian Carpet Python dangerous?
- The Centralian Carpet Python is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Centralian Carpet Python live?
- The Centralian Carpet Python has verified records in 1 country, including Australia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Centralian Carpet Python?
- The specific name bredli is in honor of Australian crocodile conservationist Josef "Joe" Bredl (1948–2007), brother of "the barefoot bushman" Rob Bredl.
Where it is found
More Pythonidae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Pythonidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Morelia
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Morelia bredli
Keep learning
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- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.