10 things you might not know about the Murray-Darling carpet python
When you think of snakes in the Murraylands and Riverland region, the Murray-Darling carpet python probably isn’t the first to come to mind.
That’s because these shy, elusive species are rarely seen, making them one of the region’s most mysterious native animals.
From their impressive climbing ability to the important role they play in our environment, here are 10 fascinating facts about the Murray-Darling carpet python.
1 - They’re one of South Australia’s largest snakes
Murray-Darling carpet pythons can grow to around 2.4 metres long, with some reaching almost 2.7 metres. Despite their size, they’re generally timid and prefer to avoid people.
2 - They’re non-venomous
Unlike many Australian snakes, Murray-Darling carpet pythons aren’t venomous. They kill their prey by constriction and pose very little threat to people when left alone.
3 - Every python has its own unique pattern
Their striking markings of silver, black, brown and maroon patches help them blend into tree hollows, rocky outcrops and fallen timber. No two pythons look exactly the same.
Did you know the Murray-Darling carpet python inspired one of this year Met Gala looks?
4 - They’re nature’s pest controllers
Murray-Darling carpet pythons play an important role in keeping ecosystems healthy by helping control populations of rodents and other small animals. They are skilled hunters, using heat-sensing pits along their lower jaw to detect the warmth of their prey. These specialised sensors help them locate meals, even in the dark.
5 - They’re devoted mums
Female Murray-Darling carpet pythons lay around 20-50 eggs every few years. They carefully coil around their eggs for almost 2 months, using tiny muscle contractions to generate warmth and keep the eggs at the right temperature until they hatch.
6 - They don’t just live in trees
Although they are excellent climbers and often shelter in hollow-bearing river red gums, they also use rocky cliffs, fallen logs, old sheds and even abandoned buildings as safe places to hide.
7 - They take a winter break
Like many reptiles, Murray-Darling carpet pythons rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature. During colder weather, they enter a dormant state known as ‘brumation’, reducing their activity to conserve energy. They use sheltered places such as rock crevices or deep burrows or hollows to survive the colder months, emerging again when warmer weather returns.
8 - They’ve become much harder to find
The Murray-Darling carpet python was once widespread across south-eastern Australia, but habitat loss, illegal poaching and predation by foxes have contributed to a significant decline in their numbers. Today they’re listed as rare in South Australia.
9 - The community is helping uncover their secrets
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board’s iSPYthon citizen science project is encouraging people to report sightings of Murray-Darling carpet pythons.
Since the project began, community members have already contributed to more than 100 validated sightings, helping ecologists locate pythons in places they may never had searched otherwise.
Now, we’ve taken the research a step further, tracking a carpet python named Glen using radiotelemetry near Swan Reach. Following his movements is helping the team learn more about where these elusive snakes’ shelter, how they move through the landscape and what they need to survive winter.
10 - You could help protect them
If you spot a Murray-Darling carpet python, keep a safe distance and, if it’s safe to do so, take a photo and report your sighting through iSPYthon. Whether it’s a python you spotted yesterday or one you remember seeing years ago, every record can help us learn more about these fascinating snakes.
You can also help by protecting the places they call home. Leaving fallen logs, and dead hollow-bearing trees in place provides important shelter and habitat for carpet pythons – and many other native animals!
