Oenpelli python: Difference between revisions

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:'''''Common names:''' Oenpelli python.''

'''''Morelia oenpelliensis''''' is a non-venomousvery large [[Pythonidae|python]] [[species]] found in [[Australia]]. It is commonly known as the '''Oenpelli python'''. No [[subspecies]] are currently recognized.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS|ID=634779|taxon=''Morelia oenpelliensis''|year=2007|date=19 September}}</ref>

==Description==

A very large and rare species of ''[[Morelia]]'', a genus of the [[Pythonidae]] family. Adults grow up to 4&nbsp;m in length. The color pattern is dark olive-brown with darkened blotches. The belly is pale and dull, varying from cream to yellow.<ref name="NT threatened">{{cite web|url=http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/animals/threatened/pdf/herps/oenpelli_python_vu.pdf|title=Oenpelli python. Morelia oenpelliensis|last= Woinarsk|first=John|work=Threatened Species of the Northern Territory|publisher=Northern Territory Government|accessdate=2008-10-22}}</ref> It is an [[ambush predator]] that remains motionless for long periods, waiting for prey such as [[possum]] or large [[macropod]]s. The mammal becomes asphyxiated as the snake coils itself

Adults grow up to 4&nbsp;m in length. The color pattern is dark olive-brown with darkened blotches. The belly is cream to dark yellow.

The species occurs in a restricted range in the [[Northern Territory]], in the sandstone outcrops of western [[Arnhem Land]].<ref name="NT threatened"> The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] given is "6.5 km S.W. of Oenpelli, Northern Territory, Australia (12°21'S, 133°01'E)."<ref name="McD99"/> The species is found in habitat is located on a sandstone [[massif]], in the regions surrounding the upper reaches of the Cadell, [[South Alligator River|South Alligator]] and [[East Alligator River|East Alligator]] rivers. They are territorial animals who move around sheltered features of the sandstone gorges. Sightings are also reported in the region's woodland, heathland, and open rocky plains.

==Geographic range==

Found in Australia, [[Northern Territory]], in the sandstone outcrops of western [[Arnhem Land]]. The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] given is "6.5 km S.W. of Oenpelli, Northern Territory, Australia (12°21'S, 133°01'E)."<ref name="McD99"/>

The total population is poorly surveyed, and no study has been made of the rate of its decline. This is due to the inaccessibility of the region. The conservation status of ''Morelia oenpelliensis'' is listed by the Northern Territory Government as vulnerable to extinction. This has been evaluated by known threatening factors, such as altered land use and fire regimes, and population inferred from the relative abundance of its prey. This is estimated to be below 10,000, based on the density of the medium to large [[mammals]] it consumes. Variation in subpopulations has not been evaluated. The species is known to be illegally collected for private use, which is likely to impact on some subpopulations. This threat is limited by the inaccessibility of its habitat, the same factor that has restricted study of the species. It is found within a conservation reserve known as [[Kakadu National Park]].<ref name="NT threatened">

Within its area, it has been reported from the upper catchments of the Cadell, [[South Alligator River|South Alligator]] and [[East Alligator River|East Alligator]] River systems. It occurs only in one conservation reserve, [[Kakadu National Park]].

==Behavior==

There has been no detailed studies of this species. It shelters in cracks, caves and crevices of rugged broken [[escarpment]]s of gorges. As a large solitary [[predator]] feeding on prey at relatively low abundance, its total population size is probably under 10,000 mature individuals. There is no information available on population substructure.

==Feeding==

The diet consists mostly of large [[mammals]], particularly [[possum]]s and [[macropod]]s.

==See also==