Black-headed Python
Aspidites melanocephalus
Black-headed Python
The Black-headed python is found across the north of three states, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. It grows to an average of 2 metres. Colouring consists of shades of black, dark grey, brown, gold, and cream arranged in a striped or brindled pattern. The head is shiny black!
They will occasionally eat birds and mammals, but their diet consisting of mostly other reptiles, most famously some of Australia’s most venomous snakes!
This python is able to raise its body temperature without exposing itself completely to predators. Raising its glossy black head and neck from the shelter in the ground, the black head absorbs heat efficiently to warm the whole body so that it can move quickly (it needs heat to get energy) when it does fully emerge from its hole to hunt.
The Black-headed python is one of only two Australian pythons to lack heat sensing pits under its mouth. It doesn’t need them because, being a reptile eater, it is not looking for warm prey.
