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Morelia spilota cheynei

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(Redirected from Jungle carpet python)

Morelia spilota cheynei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Morelia
Species:
Subspecies:
M. s. cheynei
Trinomial name
Morelia spilota cheynei
Wells & Wellington, 1984
Synonyms
  • Morelia cheynei
    Wells & Wellington, 1984
  • Morelia spilota cheynei
    — Barker & Barker, 1994[1]

Morelia spilota cheynei, or the jungle carpet python, is a python subspecies[2] found in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia.

Etymology

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The specific name, cheynei, is in honor of Cheyne Wellington.[3]

Geographic range

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The type locality given is "Ravenshoe, on the Atherton Tableland, north Queensland, in Lat. 17° 36' S, Long 145° 29' E" (Australia).[1][4]

Size

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Adults of these medium-sized pythons typically measure 5–7 ft (1.5–2.1 m) in total length. However, wild caught females are known to grow to over 8.5 ft (2.6 m). As with most species of snakes, females are typically larger than males.

Diet

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Like all snakes these semiarboreal snakes are strictly carnivorous. They feed on medium-sized rodents such as rats, mice, and baby rabbits in captivity.

References

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  1. ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. ^ "Morelia spilota cheynei". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
  3. ^ Wells & Wellington, 1984. p. 107.
  4. ^ Wells & Wellington, 1984. p. 106.
A young jungle carpet python in shed

Further reading

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  • Wells, R.W.; Wellington, C.R. (1984). "A Synopsis of the Class Reptilia in Australia". Australian Journal of Herpetology. 1 (3–4): 73–129. ("Morelia cheynei sp. nov.", pp. 106–107.)
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