Oenpelli python
Oenpelli python | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Pythonidae |
Genus: | Nyctophilopython Wells and Wellington, 1985 |
Species: | N. oenpelliensis
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Binomial name | |
Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis | |
Synonyms | |
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The Oenpelli python or Oenpelli rock python (Simalia oenpelliensis or Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis) is a species of large snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is endemic to the sandstone massif area of the western Arnhem Land region in the Northern Territory of Australia.[1][5] There are no subspecies that are recognised as being valid.[4] It has been called the rarest python in the world.[6][7][8] Two notable characteristics of the species are the unusually large size of its eggs and its ability to change colour.[9]
Taxonomy and etymology
The Oenpelli python was assigned to a taxonomy in 1977 by Graeme Gow, who placed it in the genus Python.[2] It was then categorised by Cogger and Cameron as a species of Morelia.[10] In 1984, Wells and Wellington placed it into a new genus Nyctophilopython and in 2014, a work by Reynolds, Niemiller, and Revell proposed to classify it as Simalia.[11]
The
As of June 2022,
Description
A large and rare species of the monotypic genus Nyctophilopython, the Oenpelli python may grow to more than 4 m (13 ft) in length,[17] and one specimen in captivity is reportedly more than 5 m (16 ft) long.[18] It is unusually thin in proportion to its length, relative to other pythons.[9]
The
The Oenpelli python is able to change its
The eggs of the Oenpelli python have been described as "huge".[19] At 110.5 by 60 mm (4.35 by 2.36 in), they are almost twice the size of those for the related amethystine python (Simalia amethystina), which are reported as 70–98 by 45–56 mm (2.8–3.9 by 1.8–2.2 in).[19]
Behaviour
The Oenpelli python is nocturnal and inhabits rock crevices, trees, and caves.[9]
It feeds on birds in fruiting trees, and has been speculated to specialise in eating birds.[9] Adults prey on medium-to-large mammals, such as possum or large macropods.[5] Captive specimens eat birds and rodents.[9]
It is an ambush predator that remains motionless for long periods.[citation needed]
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in a restricted range in the Northern Territory, in the sandstone outcrops of western Arnhem Land.[5][10]
The species is found in
Conservation status
The total population of N. oenpelliensis is poorly surveyed, and no study has been made of the rate of its decline. This is partly due to the inaccessibility of the region, a factor that may help the preservation of the species. The conservation status of Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis is listed by the Northern Territory Government as vulnerable to extinction. This has been evaluated by known threatening factors, such as altered land use and fire regimes, and population inferred from the relative abundance of its prey. This is estimated to be below 10,000, which is inferred from several factors. As a large predator, the species is particularly vulnerable to declines in available prey. These larger mammals are more susceptible to changes in land use and threats such as introduced species. Suitable habitat is also limited in the distribution range of the species. The species is known to be illegally collected for private use, which is likely to impact on some subpopulations. This threat is limited by the inaccessibility of its habitat, the same factor that has restricted study of the species. Variation and decline in subpopulations has not been fully evaluated. It is found within a conservation reserve known as Kakadu National Park.[5]
An attempt to start a breeding program was begun in 2012[8] and has had some limited success.[18] As of July, 2014, the program included six specimens.[18] In early 2015, the first two captive-bred neonates were born.[17]
In Aboriginal language and culture
In the
References
- ^ . Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ a b Gow, G. F. (1977). "A New Species of Python from Arnhem Land". Australian Zoologist 19: 133-139. (Python oenpelliensis, new species)
- ^ ISBN 1-893777-01-4.
- ^ a b c Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 20 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Woinarsk, J. "Oenpelli python. Morelia oenpelliensis" (PDF). Threatened Species of the Northern Territory. Northern Territory Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ Rarest Python in the World. SnakeBytesTV. 18 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
- ^ Breeding plan aims to save snakes. ABC News (Australia). 29 March 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ^ a b c d e f g Murphy, J. C. "The Oenpelli Python, Simalia oenpelliensis". Giant Constricting Snakes – The Science of Large Serpents. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
- ^ ISBN 9781876334338.
- PMID 24315866.
- ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Morelia oenpelliensis, p. 193).
- PMID 32208482.
- S2CID 234402033.
- ^ "ITIS - Report: Simalia oenpelliensis".
- ^ Species. Taxonomy Archived 24 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Fowler, J.; Hollister, J. (11 April 2015). "Oenpelli python". The Reptiles of Australia. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
- ^ a b c Hancock, D. (15 July 2014). "Saving the Oenpelli python". Australian Geographic. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
- ^ ISBN 0-89464-995-7.
- ^ Garde, Murray. "nawaran". Bininj Kunwok dictionary. Bininj Kunwok Regional Language Centre. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
- ^ Hancock, David (15 July 2014). "Saving the Oenpelli python". Australian National Geographic. Australian National Geographic. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
External links
- "Darwin snake expert breeds 'rainbow serpent' python back from the brink of extinction." ABC News 14 April 2015. Endangered Oenpelli python bred in world first