Black-headed Python

Reaching lengths of up to three metres, this snake is easily identified by its dark bands and distinctive black head, which merges smoothly into its body and gives it a striking resemblance to some venomous species. The black head is also believed to act like a solar panel, allowing the snake to absorb heat efficiently without having to expose its whole body.

Habitat 

This long, slender snake is distributed across northern Australia, from Western Australia to Queensland, where it inhabits warm sclerophyll forests, scrublands, and even sparse deserts. It shelters in rock crevices, hollow logs, burrows, and occasionally termite mounds.

Diet 

These snakes are most active under the cover of darkness, emerging at night to hunt. Their diet is made up largely of other reptiles, though they will also take birds and mammals when the opportunity arises. They are best known, however, for their remarkable ability to prey on some of Australia’s most venomous snakes.

Breeding

Black-headed pythons are seasonally monogamous, with females typically laying clutches of 5 to 10 eggs, which they incubate for 2 to 3 months. The mother protects her eggs by coiling around them, using muscular shivers to generate heat and keep them warm for the two-month incubation period. Once hatched, the young are completely independent and generally reach sexual maturity at around four to five years of age.