Spotted Python
(Antaresia maculosa)
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The spotted python, Antaresia maculosa, is the largest member of the genus Antaresia. Although most specimens
stay between 3 - 4 feet, lengths up to 5 feet have been recorded. The species is characterised by the ragged edged,
dark brown or black blotches on a lighter, brown background. The blotches can be separated or joined - forming a
weavy dorsal stripe. Spotted pythons live in a variety of habitats - rainforests, forests, grasslands, woodlands and
rocky areas. They occur from the tip of the Cape York peninsula in northern Queensland, down the coast on the east
side of the Great Dividing Range, to northeastern New South Wales. They can also be found on several islands
along the coast of Queensland. Wild spotted pythons eat rodents, birds, lizards, frogs and bats. In captivity, they are
usually fed rodents - mice and rats.
Antaresia maculosa is the most common species in captivity of all the genus Antaresia. It is one of the easiest
pythons to maintain.
There are four species of the group Antaresia. They all live in Australia. All of them are one of the smallest pythons
in the world (the Anthill python is actually the smallest python in the world!).
1. Anthill Python - (Antaresia perthensis)
2. Children's Python - (Antaresia childreni)
3. Stimson's Python - (Antaresia stimsoni)
4. Spotted Python - (Antaresia maculosa)
Courtesy: Antaresia.com
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