Aspidites melanocephalus

Aspidites melanocephalus (*)

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Cladus: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Lepidosauromorpha
Superordo: Lepidosauria
Ordo: Squamata
Subordo: Serpentes
Infraordo: Henophidia

Familia: Pythonidae
Subfamilia: Pythoninae
Genus: Aspidites
Species: Aspidites melanocephalus
Subspecies: A. m. adelynensis – A. m. davieii – A. m. melanocephalus
Name

Aspidites melanocephalus (Krefft, 1864)

Type locality: Australia (Queensland, Bowen (for Port Denison))

Holotype: BMNH 1946.1.8.2
Synonyms

Aspidiotes melanocephalus Krefft, 1864: 225
Aspidites [melanocephalus] Peters, 1876 (nomen novum pro Aspidiotes)
Aspidites melanocephalus — Boulenger, 1893: 91
Aspidites melanocephalus — Stimson, 1969
Aspidites melanocephalus — Kluge, 1993
Aspidites melanocephalus — McDiarmid, Campbell & Touré, 1999: 164
Aspidites melanocephalus — Cogger, 2000: 601

References

Krefft, G. 1864. Description of Aspidiotes melanocephalus, a new snake from Port Denison, N.E. Australia. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3) 14: 225–226
Krefft,G. 1864. Description of Aspidiotes melanocephalus, a new snake from Port Denison. Proc. zool. Soc. London, 1864: 20–22
Grace, J. 1997. Captive breeding of the Black-headed python, Aspidites melanocephalus. Monitor: Journal of the Victorian Herpetological Society. 9 (1): 8–9
Merahtzakis, G. 1995. Nachzuchterfolg bei Aspidites melanocephalus. Elaphe 3 (3): 7–8
Aspidites melanocephalus (Krefft, 1864) – Taxon details on Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
Aspidites melanocephalus at the New Reptile Database. Accessed on 20 Jule 2009.

Vernacular names
Deutsch: Schwarzkopfpython
English: Black-headed Python
polski: Pyton czarnogłowy

The black-headed python (Aspidites melanocephalus)[3] is a species of snake in the Pythonidae (the python family). The species is endemic to Australia. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Description
A. melanocephalus at the Cameron Park Zoo.
Illustration by artist Harriet Scott[4]

Adults of A. melanocephalus typically grow to 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) in total length (including tail),[5] but can grow to a maximum of 3.5 m (11 ft). 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 given is "Port Denison Bowen", Queensland, Australia.[2] It occurs in humid tropical to semiarid conditions.
A black-headed python seeking warmth on a road near Borroloola on a cold morning
Behaviour

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.
Feeding

The diet of A. melanocephalus consists mainly of reptiles, including snakes, but it will eat mammals if available. Because the black-headed python lives in the tropics, it heats up quicker and stays warmer for longer. This means it can eat more because it digests food quicker in warmer conditions. When ingesting large prey, this species positions one or two coils just ahead of its distended mouth and by constriction makes the task of swallowing easier.
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, including cannibalism. Adults have no natural predators other than dingos 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

Shea G, Ellis R, Wilson S (2017). "Aspidites melanocephalus ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T13300710A13300718. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T13300710A13300718.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, 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).
Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
Krefft G (1869). 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).

Burnie D, Wilson DE (Editors-in-Chief) (2001). Animal. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 pp. ISBN 0-7894-7764-5.