Who am I?

kao · 02-02-11, 06:37 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum and admittedly will be an infrequent visitor... but I'm hoping you can offer your expertise in identifying the following snake for me?
This good looking guy was spotted near the beach, in bushland and not far from a built-up area in Byron Bay, near Brisbane, Australia. We were there on holiday recently and the kids want to show their classmates some pics, and I thought it would be educational to identify him so they can talk about him in a bit more depth.

I'm having trouble finding any snakes of these colours with similar markings, but have also learned that markings can vary significantly anyhow.
I'm pretty sure at least that he's a python. Your help would be highly appreciated. Thank you so much in advance

( a larger version of the image is available here http://www.privateredclaw.co.uk/ext_images/snakeLGE.jpg )

KO

infernalis · 02-02-11, 09:15 AM

Will0W783 · 02-02-11, 09:25 AM

Welcome. That's an unusually patterned coastal carpet python. The face shape and markings are unmistakable, but he/she does have a very high amount of black in the body and reduced pattern. Beautiful snake. I'm a huge carpet python fan myself!

belovedboas · 02-02-11, 09:41 AM

I was thinking a carpet aswell cause of the head shape....never seen on like that though....nice snake

Will0W783 · 02-02-11, 12:10 PM

It's a reduced pattern striped coastal. There is actually a lot of variation among pattern and coloration of coastal carpet pythons from different regions. I agree that the degree of dark brown/black on that one is a bit unusual, but it still is definitely a coastal carpet. I would love one that looked like that!

Shmoges · 02-02-11, 12:47 PM

Could its coloration be affected by diet?

Will0W783 · 02-02-11, 01:25 PM

Possibly, but I haven't read anything on carpet python, or any python really, having coloration affected by diet. It's more a genetic thing. I would imagine that the differences between localities have to do with the founding stock in the different regions as well as vegetation coloring differences. Snakes from areas with more sand might have more of the tan and cream, while snakes from forested areas might have more dark brown/black interspersed with light spots to blend into a spotty forest floor. If you glance very quickly at the picture of that snake, despite its dark color, it does blend in well with the soil under the grass.

shaunyboy · 02-03-11, 06:44 AM

its a carpet python

most likely a coastal or a coastal intergrade

nice unusuall pattern on it

brisbane has been hit with cyclones so the poor carpets probaly treading water as we speak

cheers shaun

kao · 02-03-11, 07:19 AM

Thank you so much everyone for your welcome and for your fab answers!

I think the kids might need to write this one down then, but we're going with "reduced pattern striped coastal carpet python" - love it!

I thought it was a bit odd that I couldn't find any snakes online looking like this, so quite nice to hear about how unusual he is. Do you think he could perhaps have been bred for this colouration and may be an escaped pet?
I spotted him roaming wild, but did allow me to get quite close to take pictures

I was itching to pick him up but as it was our first time in Oz, land of the deadly snakes, I decided for the benefit of the kids memories that I shouldn't!
I've never owned a snake but I would love to one day. Every now and then when we pass a 'reptile house' I go in and ask to hold their snakes under the guise of looking to buy one. A bit naughty! but I love to handle them and really would like to have one at some point, when I have the space and time to dedicate to him

Thanks again everyone for your replies. Perhaps we will cross paths again in the future