Diet

What does the Oenpelli Python eat?

Oenpelli pythons are carnivores which will feed on a range of small animals. Their diet includes rock rats, possums and other small mammals.

These animals are ambush predators and will spend their time waiting until a prey animal approaches and they then quickly strike at it.

Learn more about the Oenpelli Python in this video from Wicked Wildlife on YouTube

Range

Where do you find the Oenpelli Python?

Australia is the native home of the oenpelli python. They are found exclusively in an area of Arnhem land in the Northern Territory.

Habitat

Where can the Oenpelli Python survive?

This species is a habitat specialist being found in monsoon forest within sandstone escarpments. Seasonally they may venture in to areas of tropical woodland.

Often they are seen sheltering in caves and crevices.

Credit: Copyright. The Animal Facts.

Reproduction

How does the Oenpelli Python produce its young?

Most observations of their breeding are taken from captivity. They will mate in July resulting in eggs being laid in November.

Each clutch of eggs will include between 5 and 9 eggs. Notably the eggs of this species are considered extremely large.

Behavior

What does the Oenpelli Python do during its day?

This species is considered nocturnal. During the day they will shelter in a tree or cave.

They are adept climbers and are regularly seen climbing both in trees and along rocks.

Credit: Copyright. The Animal Facts.

Predators and Threats

What stops the Oenpelli Python from surviving and thriving?

This species is considered rare and is known from only a few subpopulations.

The largest threat to their survival is habitat degradation primarily due to increases in fire intensity.

Within their habitat there has been significant declines in native mammal populations leading to a large decline in prey availability.

Small numbers are taken by local people as food.

In the early 2010s a number of these pythons were brought in to captivity as part of a breeding effort. These are collected by traditional land owners and they receive a royalty on any which are sold.

Each captive python bred as part of this program is registered meaning any legal individuals can be tracked and illegally collected specimens easily found.

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Quick facts

This species may also be known as the Oenpelli rock python.

Oenpelli pythons are one of the species which are suggested to have inspired the rainbow serpent in tradition Aboriginal culture.

They were not described for modern science until 1977.

In the local Kunwinjku language spoken in Oenpelli they are known as nawaran.

Credit: Copyright. The Animal Facts.