Morelia kinghorni

Morelia kinghorni
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pythonidae
Genus:	Morelia
Species:	M. kinghorni
Binomial name
Morelia kinghorni (Stull, 1933)

Simalia Kinghorni, commonly known as the Australian Scrub Python, is a species of snake of the family Pythonidae. This snake is indigenous to forests of northern Australia and is one of the world's longest and largest snakes, and is the longest and largest in Australia. Recently, they have been reclassified to the genus Simalia along side a few other former Morelia species, but there is still a bit of scientific debate over this.

Geographic range

This snake is found in Northern Australia, living within various forests and more densely vegetated parts of the Australian bush.

Description

This snake has been known to obtain lengths up to approx. 7 meters (approx. 24 feet), with some field measurements claiming to be even longer; making this snake one of Australia's largest and longest snakes, if not, the largest and longest of Australia. This snake is commonly considered arboreal or tree-dwelling, making it one of the world's largest and longest arboreal species of snakes. This snake has an ornate back pattern consisting of browns and tans, with many different natural variations. Its belly is usually white, sometimes with some yellows.

Diet

All snakes are carnivores. This snake predates on many different birds, mammals, and even other reptiles.

Pets

Scrub Python's are still considered fairly rare and uncommon pets, however, with captive breeding projects and hobbyists interested in the species, scrub pythons are slowly becoming more available, with their New Guinea counterparts being much more available (especially in the United States).

References

• Species Simalia kinghorni at The Reptile Database

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