Oenpelli python: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:37, 22 October 2008

Revision as of 18:27, 22 October 2008

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==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 around it.

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="McD99Cogger" /> 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. It is noted as having an association with the [[Kombalgie]] sandstone gorges.<ref name="Cogger">{{cite book|last=Cogger|first=Harold G.|title=Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia}}</ref>

The total population is poorly surveyed, and no study has been made of the rate of its decline. This is partly due to the inaccessibility of the region, a factor that may help the preservation of the species. 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, basedwhich onis theinferred densityfrom ofseveral factors. As a large predator, the mediumspecies is particularly vulnerable to largedeclines in available prey. These larger [[mammals]] itmore consumessusceptible to changes in land use and threats such as introduced species. VariationSuitable habitat is also limited in subpopulationsthe hasdistribution notrange beenof evaluatedthe species. 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. Variation and decline in subpopulations has not been fully evaluated. It is found within a conservation reserve known as [[Kakadu National Park]].<ref name="NT threatened"/>

''Morelia oenpelliensis'' was first described in 1977, the author placing it in the genus ''[[Python]]''. This was recognised by [[Harold Cogger|Cogger]] and Cameron as a species of ''Morelia''.<ref name="Cogger" /> The name is derived from the [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]], which is given as "6.5 km S.W. of [[Oenpelli, Northern Territory]], Australia (12°21'S, 133°01'E)."<ref name="McD99"/>

==See also==