Alice Springs Reptile Centre

Alice Springs Reptile CentreAustralian Green Tree Frog Australian Saltwater Crocodile Black Headed Goanna Black-headed Python Central Carpet Python Central Netted Dragon Centralian Blue Tongue Lizard Coastal Taipan Collett’s Snake Diamond Head Turtle Eastern Brown Snake Frilled Neck Lizard Gidgee Skink Inland / Central Bearded Dragon King Brown Snake Northern Giant Cave Gecko Perentie Spencer’s Goanna Thorny Devil Western Brown Snake

The Black-headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus) is native to Australia and is found in the northern part of Australia, but not found in the very arid regions.

Most reptiles raise their body temperature by basking in the sun. The distinctive black colouring of this python’s head is probably a further refinement in temperature control. From the comparative safety of a rock ledge, the snake can raise it’s body temperature by exposing only the head to sunlight. The brain heats quickly and the warmed blood is circulated through the body.


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Squamata
  • Suborder: Serpentes
  • Family: Pythonidae
  • Genus: Aspidites
  • Species: A. melanocephalus
  • Binomial name: Aspidites melanocephalus

Alice Springs Reptile CentreAustralian Green Tree Frog Australian Saltwater Crocodile Black Headed Goanna Black-headed Python Central Carpet Python Central Netted Dragon Centralian Blue Tongue Lizard Coastal Taipan Collett’s Snake Diamond Head Turtle Eastern Brown Snake Frilled Neck Lizard Gidgee Skink Inland / Central Bearded Dragon King Brown Snake Northern Giant Cave Gecko Perentie Spencer’s Goanna Thorny Devil Western Brown Snake

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