#murray-darling

Inland Carpet Python (Morelia spilota metcalfei)

Also known as the Murray-Darling Carpet Python, they are found all throughout the Murray-Darling Basin. Their natural range is quite extensive, as seen on the map above. They are found in riparian woodlands, River Red Gum forest and black box woodland, and are often associated with granite outcroppings. They are considered endangered in the southern half of their range due to habitat loss from human disturbance, and invasive species such as the red fox. 

One of the smaller subspecies of carpet python, they reach lengths of 5-6.5 ft. They also exhibit the least variation in color, with alternating black and gray blotches along the neck, turning into interrupted bands further down the body. The ventral scales are a cream to powdered-blue color. With a medium build, they are the least laterally compressed of the carpet pythons, and have a circular cross-section. A noted difference from other species is the nostril being positioned on the dorsal edge of the nasal scale, versus the center. Another unique characteristic is their calm demeanor, as both neonates and adults. 

in their natural habitat, they regularly use trees, and neonates are often found in lizard burrows along river beds. Due to intense summer heat, they are exclusively nocturnal during the summer. During the winter, they tend to find granite outcroppings in order to soak up as much heat during the day as possible. The only movement exhibited during this time is to find a place with more stable day and night-time temperatures. 

Inlands breed during the spring, and lay eggs during the summer, with neonates hatching in the fall. It is unknown if male combat is common, although, with males being slightly smaller, it may be a random occurance. Females were observed to stay with the eggs throughout the duration of incubation, finally loosening the coils as the eggs hatch. They lay 10-50 eggs, with numbers near the lower range more common. 

 Sources: Australian Addiction, Inland Reptile

It may have been a major event, but the recent floods through the Murray-Darling Basin have barely rated on the scale of big flood events this century.