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Department for Environment and Heritage Fact Sheet Threatened Species of the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Carpet Python Morelia spilota Vulnerable Description Arboreality The Carpet Python is a strikingly patterned snake. Its regular dark brown and black pattern provides exceptional camouflage, particularly in the litter of brown dead leaves. Adult pythons are very distinctive and easily distinguished from venomous snake species. Pythons are generally arboreal, that is, they inhabit trees. In the South Australian Murray-Darling basin, the Carpet Python lives in the hollows of large River Red Gums and north-facing cliffs along the river. Often they are found nestled in quiet sheltered corners like pump sheds and roof spaces. They can be useful to people in such places by controlling vermin. Scary snakes? If you are afraid of snakes you should learn more about them. Snakes are usually timid by nature and will only attack to defend themselves. The vast majority of snake bite victims are bitten trying to provoke, kill or capture a snake. Australian reptiles are protected by law and you can be fined for needlessly killing them. River Corridor Threatened Species Series Carpet Python Popular python pets Carpet Pythons are common as pets because they are large, attractive, and non-venomous. Some have been recorded as long as three metres! They are typically placid animals, although their temperament varies. There has been a long history of pythons taken from the wild for the commercial trade, but it is now illegal to do so. Why are they threatened? The Carpet Python was once widespread throughout much of south-east Australia, but a continued decrease in numbers and sightings (see map) have caused concern. In the past, its habitat was drastically reduced and divided through extensive land clearance. Today, regulation of the River Murray and the extraction of water is causing the death and decline of many River Red Gums that are home to pythons. Predation by dogs and foxes may also affect their survival. What are we doing to help? What can you do to help? Research is required to further understand why the Carpet Python is in decline, and what we can do to halt this decline. We are also seeking to improve knowledge of the distribution and abundance of pythons through reports of sightings from the public, and need your help. A regional recovery program is helping to implement this research for the Carpet Python in the River Murray corridor. • Report Carpet Python sightings to the Murraylands Regional Ecologist. We are maintaining a record of sightings. Phone (08) 8595 2111. • If you see a Carpet Python please don’t disturb it – observe it from a distance. Further information contact Biodiversity Conservation Programs, Murraylands Region Department for Environment and Heritage Telephone (08) 8595 2111 www.environment.sa.gov.au © Department for Environment and Heritage Photos: © Peter Robertson FIS 2455.06/CarpetPython 4/06 Department for Environment and Heritage South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board