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 : Black-headed Python


Black-headed Python

Black-headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus). Kalumburu Rd, Kimberleys, Western Australia. An inhabitant of drier regions of northern Australia, in seasonally arid selerophyll forests and rocky hills. Shelters in earth cracks, hollow logs, ground debrisand animal burrows. Feeds on lizards, other snakes. As they feed on reptiles they lack the heat pits of other pythons. Uses its black head in a unique way. Where other snakes need to expose their whole body to the sun, the python can leave most of its body concealed and just expose its black head to the sun. Because dark colours heat up quicker than light colours, its dark head alone can heat its whole body. On very hot days these snakes have been seen to bury their heads in sand to cool themselves. This snake is one of the traditional foods of aboriginal people of Australia

Picture No
10858651
Media ID
42939056
Size
3072px x 2048px (588KB)
Credit
© Don Hadden / www.ardea.com
Category
NA
Ardea Picture Library
Picture No
10858651
Contributor Ref
DH-3191

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Aspidites Headed Melanocephalus Python Pythons Snakes


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