Morelia spilota is a large snake of the Pythonidae family found in
Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea. There are 6 subspecies listed by ITIS, commonly referred to as carpet pythons and diamond pythons.
Morelia spilota is a large species of python in the genus Morelia, reaching between 2 to 4 metres (6.6 to 13 ft) in length and weighing up to 15 kilograms (33 lb). M. s. mcdowelli is the largest subspecies, regularly attaining lengths of 2.7–3 m (8.9–9.8 ft).[4] M. s.
variegata is the smallest subspecies, averaging 120–180 cm (3.9–5.9 ft) in length. The average adult length is roughly 2 metres (6.6 ft). However, one 3-year-old captive male M. s. mcdowelli, measured in Ireland, was found to exceed 396 cm (12.99 ft). Males are typically smaller than females; in some regions females are up to four times heavier. The head is triangular with a conspicuous row of thermoreceptive labial pits.
The species is oviparous, with females laying 10-50 eggs at a time. Afterward, females coil around the eggs to protect them and keep them warm through using muscular contractions to generate heat. This type of maternal care, which is typical for pythons, ceases once the hatchlings have emerged.