Morelia carinata
Encyclopedia
Morelia carinata, the Rough-scaled python, is a large scaled python species
found in Australia
. No subspecies
are currently recognized.
. The body is slim and muscular. The color pattern is light honey-tan with darker brown reddish markings. The belly is white possibly with black spots. They are now available to private owners, originating from a few wild caught specimens, as it was found they breed readily in captivity.
, northwestern Western Australia
in the lower sections of the Mitchell and Hunter rivers, just inland from the coast. The type locality given is "Mitchell River Falls, Western Australia (14°50'S, 125°42'E)" [Australia].
where they climb on low trees and shrubs.
. The temperament is quite docile with rarely any attempts to bite.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
found in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. No subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
are currently recognized.
Description
Adults grow to 2m in length. Distinguished by the presence of a large parietal scale and by having distinct keeled scalesKeeled scales
Keeled scales refer to reptile scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale, making them rough to the touch...
. The body is slim and muscular. The color pattern is light honey-tan with darker brown reddish markings. The belly is white possibly with black spots. They are now available to private owners, originating from a few wild caught specimens, as it was found they breed readily in captivity.
Geographic range
Found in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, northwestern Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
in the lower sections of the Mitchell and Hunter rivers, just inland from the coast. The type locality given is "Mitchell River Falls, Western Australia (14°50'S, 125°42'E)" [Australia].
Habitat
They are found in rocky valleys of Kimberley region in far northern Western AustraliaWestern Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
where they climb on low trees and shrubs.
Behavior
So far reported to be strictly crepuscularCrepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
. The temperament is quite docile with rarely any attempts to bite.