WATER PYTHON

The water python is found throughout northern Australia, including the Northern Territory, Queensland, and parts of Western Australia. It is primarily associated with freshwater habitats such as swamps, rivers, and billabongs.

Water pythons inhabit a variety of aquatic environments, including both still and flowing waters. They are often found in areas with dense vegetation along the water’s edge, providing cover and potential prey sources.

They are large snakes, with adults reaching lengths of 2 to 3 meters. They have a robust body, a triangular-shaped head, and smooth scales. The coloration can vary, but they typically have a dark brown or blackish background color with lighter markings or bands that can be yellow, cream, or olive in colour.

As their name suggests, water pythons are highly adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. They are strong swimmers and can often be seen basking on branches or rocks near the water’s edge. They are also capable climbers and can move through trees and vegetation. Like other pythons, they are non-venomous and rely on constriction to subdue their prey.

Water pythons are carnivorous and primarily feed on a variety of aquatic and semi-aquatic prey, including fish, frogs, turtles, and small mammals. They ambush their prey, strike, and constrict it before swallowing it whole.

Water pythons are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. The female snakes lay clutches of up to 30 eggs in warm, protected locations, such as termite mounds or tree hollows. The eggs take around two to three months to hatch, and the female provides no parental care after laying the eggs.

Like many reptiles, it faces various threats, including habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation due to human activities. It is protected by law throughout its range.