Diamond Python

Morelia spilota

Danger: Non-venomous
Other Names: Carpet Python (there are 6 subspecies, five are called Carpet Pythons and the one found in Eastern NSW is the Diamond Python)
Family: Pythonidae (Pythons, about 26 species in the world)
Size: To 4 m long
Distribution: The eastern 2/3 of NSW, almost all QLD, all of VIC, The upper 100-200 km of NT, the northernmost and southernmost few hundred km of WA, southeast SA
Status: Probably secure but threatened by habitat degradation
Habitat: Most habitats, including rainforests, forests, woodlands and shrublands, of the coast and ranges
References: Cronin, Wikipedia

The Diamond Python is perhaps the most common snake found in the Blue Mountains and Sydney (and much of eastern Australia). About half (at least) of all the snakes I have seen in the wild have been diamond pythons.

The colours and patterns on them can vary a lot. They are not dangerous as they have no venom, and many people keep them as pets. The flatmate of one of my friends used to have one that he called "Jake the Snake". Though they can still bite (like most wild animals), so if you see one in the wild do not try to handle it.

Photo: Australian Museum, Sydney NSW. High Resolution (2423 x 1679)

Photo: Australian Museum, Sydney NSW. High Resolution (3008 x 2000)

Photo: Royal National Park NSW. I don't have many wild snake photos yet.

Artwork: Gerard Krefft 'The Snakes of Australia', 1869. Higher Resolution (841 x 822)

The photos above are Diamond Pythons, the photos below are Carpet Pythons. They are all the same species of snake but different subspecies.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution (1895 x 1373)

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW.

Photo: Australia Zoo, QLD. Higher Resolution (800 x 541)

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