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Description

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{{Short description|Species of snake}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Blackheaded_python.jpg
| genus = Aspidites
| species = melanocephalus
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn|author=[[species:Glenn Michael Shea|Shea G]], [[species:Ryan J. Ellis|Ellis R]], [[species:Steve K. Wilson|Wilson S]]|date=2017|title=''Aspidites melanocephalus ''|volume=2017|page=e.T13300710A13300718|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T13300710A13300718.en|access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| authority = ([[Krefft]], 1864)
| synonyms = * ''Aspidiotes melanocephalus'' Krefft, 1864
* ''Aspidites melanocephalus'' — [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1893
* ''Aspidites melanocephalus melanocephalus'' — [[Arthur Loveridge|Loveridge]], 1934
* ''Aspidites melanocephalus melanocephalus'' — [[Olive Griffith Stull|Stull]], 1935
* ''Aspidites melanocephalus'' — [[Harold Cogger|H.G. Cogger]], [[species:Elizabeth E. Cameron|Cameron]] & [[species:Heather M. Cogger|H.M. Cogger]], 1983<ref name="McD99">[[:fr:Roy Wallace McDiarmid|McDiarmid RW]], [[Jonathan A. Campbell|Campbell JA]], [[species:T'Shaka A. Touré|Touré TA]] (1999). ''Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Vol. 1''. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. {{ISBN|1-893777-00-6}} (series). {{ISBN|1-893777-01-4}} (volume).</ref>
| range_map = Black-headed Python.png
| range_map_caption = Distribution of the black-headed python
}}

The '''black-headed python''' ('''''Aspidites melanocephalus''''')<ref name="Meh87">[[species:John M. Mehrtens|Mehrtens JM]] (1987). ''Living Snakes of the World in Color''. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. {{ISBN|0-8069-6460-X}}.</ref> is a [[species]] of [[snake]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Pythonidae]] (the python family). The species is [[endemic]] to [[Australia]]. There are no [[subspecies]] that are recognized as being valid.

==Description==
[[Image:Blackheaded python2.jpg|thumb|left|''A. melanocephalus'' at the [[Cameron Park Zoo]].]]
[[Image:Harriet Scott - Black-headed Snake, Aspidiotes melanocephalus - Google Art Project.jpg|right|thumb|Illustration by artist [[Harriet Morgan|Harriet Scott]]<ref name=scott>{{cite book|author=Krefft G|author-link=Gerard Krefft|date=1869|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/58853328|title=The Snakes of Australia; An Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of All the Known Species}} Sydney: Thomas Richards, Government Printer. xxv + 100 pp. + index + Plates I–XII. (''Aspidiotes melanocephalus'', pp. 33–34 + Plate III & Plate V, figure 4).</ref>]]
Adults of ''A. melanocephalus'' typically grow to {{convert|1.5|-|2|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} in length (including tail),<ref name="Animal">Burnie, David; [[Don E. Wilson|Wilson, Don E.]] (Editors-in-Chief) (2001). ''Animal''. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 pp. {{ISBN|0-7894-7764-5}}.</ref> but can grow to a maximum length of {{convert|3.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The body is muscular with a flattened profile, while the tail tapers to a thin point.

The top of the head is covered by large symmetrical scales. The [[dorsal scales]], which are smooth and [[glossy]], number 50-65 rows at midbody, while 315-355 [[ventral scales]] occur. The tail has 60-75 mainly single [[subcaudal scales]] and the [[anal scale]] is single. The posterior subcaudals tend to be divided, often irregularly.

The color pattern consists of shades of black, dark grey, brown, gold, and cream arranged in a banded or brindled pattern. The belly is light-colored, flecked with darker spots. The head is shiny black that also extends down the neck and throat for several inches.

==Distribution and habitat==
The species ''A. melanocephalus'' is found in [[Australia]], in the northern half of the country, excluding the very arid regions. The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] given is "Port Denison [[Bowen, Queensland|Bowen]]", [[Queensland, Australia]].<ref name="McD99"/> It occurs in humid [[tropical]] to semiarid conditions.
[[Image:BlackHeadedPythonKingAshBay.jpg|right|300px|thumb|A black-headed python seeking warmth on a road near [[Borroloola]] on a cold morning]]

==Behavior==
''A. melanocephalus'' is terrestrial and is often found amongst rocks and loose debris. If disturbed, it hisses loudly, but is unlikely to bite unless hunting prey. It sometimes strikes with a closed mouth, but generally can be handled easily. It is a strong swimmer, but is almost never found in water. It is not [[Venomous snake|venomous]].

==Feeding==
The diet of ''A. melanocephalus'' consists mainly of [[reptile]]s, including [[ophiophagy|snakes]], but it will eat [[mammal]]s and some [[bird]]s if available.<ref name=ADW>{{cite web | url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Aspidites_melanocephalus/ | title=''Aspidites melanocephalus'' (Black-headed Python) | website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] }}</ref> [[Skink]]s are the primary prey of the black-headed python. Other important prey include [[gecko]]s, [[bearded dragon]]s, [[Pygopodidae|legless lizard]]s and the [[perentie]], the largest monitor lizard native to Australia,<ref name=ADW/> as well as other black-headed pythons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cannibalistic Snake Devours Fellow Black-Headed Python Alive|date=19 October 2023|url=https://www.newsweek.com/cannibalistic-snake-devours-black-headed-python-alive-1836039|publisher=Newsweek|author=White, Robyn White}}</ref> When ingesting large prey, it positions one or two coils just ahead of its distended mouth and by constriction makes the task of swallowing easier.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

==Reproduction==
''A. melanocephalus'' is [[oviparous]]. Adult females lay five to 10 eggs per clutch. The females stay coiled about the eggs and incubate them until they hatch, which is usually after 2–3 months. The young take small prey as soon as two days after hatching. Immature individuals are vulnerable to predation. Adults have no natural predators other than [[dingo]]s and humans.

==Captivity==
Due to its docile nature and striking color pattern, ''A. melanocephalus'' has become very desirable as an exotic pet. It is bred in captivity and can be relatively easily obtained, but does command a high price. As it can be a muscular snake and reaches a fairly substantial size, prospective owners should consider a suitable enclosure, as well as temperature and feeding requirements.

==In human culture==
''A. melanocephalus'' is mentioned in, or plays a central role in, the stories of the [[Indigenous Australians]] [[Dreamtime]] tradition.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger GA]] (1893). ''Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families ... Boidæ ....'' London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I–XXVIII. (''Aspidites melanocephalus'', p. 91).
*[[Harold Cogger|Cogger HG]] (2014). ''Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition''. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. {{ISBN|978-0643100350}}.
*[[Gerard Krefft|Krefft G]] (1864). "Description of ''Aspidiotes melanocephalus'', a New Snake from Port Denison, N.E. Australia". ''Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London'' '''1864''': 20-22.
*[[species:Steve K. Wilson|Wilson S]], [[species:Gerry Swan|Swan G]] (2013). ''A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition''. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. {{ISBN|978-1921517280}}.

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hShq03xeCKQ Black-headed Python video] Accessed 30 June 2013
* {{NRDB species|genus=Aspidites|species=melanocephalus|date=19 September|year=2007}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070216030906/http://www.wardamanwomensbusiness.com/wwbcstory.html The Creation Story of the Wardaman People] at [http://www.wardamanwomensbusiness.com/ Renewing Women's Business]. Accessed 19 September 2007.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060821085552/http://zoo.org.au/animal_page.cfm?area_id=25&zoo_id=1&animal_id=111 Black-Headed Python] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060819161012/http://zoo.org.au/ Zoos Victoria]. Accessed 19 September 2007.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060328005002/http://www.pythonpete.com/info/blackinf.htm ''Aspidites melanocephalus''] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060427131947/http://www.pythonpete.com/index.htm/index.html#Python Python Pete Reptiles]. Accessed 19 September 2007.
{{Pythonidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q265773}}

[[Category:Pythonidae]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Gerard Krefft]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1864]]
[[Category:Snakes of Australia]]

Black-headed python - Revision history

imported>A loose necktie: /* Description */