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Carpet Pythons at Middle Path
Morelia spilota variegata
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Wonderful Winter Warmth |
The original Percy - a 3-metre carpet python who discovered the warmth from the pilot flame of our instant gas water heater. He (she?) would spend winter coiled in the space above the heater and didn't appear to hibernate - not that he did much else.
When we turned on the hot water, the temperature above the fire box would go from pleasantly warm to an inferno in a few seconds - early on we observed blisters on his belly on occassion.
He eventually developed the skill of draping himself around the flanges of the box so he could feel the warmth but wasn't in direct contact with the firebox roof which obviously gave him much more time before the increased temperature became harmful. |
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Every month or so hunger would stir Percy from his slumbers and he would revisit places where he knew there was food.
It was not uncommon to find him hanging and ready to strike in the shed - he could maintain this pose without stirring for 10 hours or so! |
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Poised for the kill! |
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Its a jungle out there and for many its "eat or be eaten".
Here Percy the python (mark II) is engaged in rodent control - a function we have come to appreciate immensely over the years. You can view full-sized images in a new window by clicking these thumbnails. Be warned - they could be distasteful to the squeamish! |
The food chain.....
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As winter deepens the bird feeder becomes a hive of activity as many different species augment their diminishing diets.
There is a fair amount of spillage and the space beneath is a popular haunt of rodents and ground-dwelling birds, such as the rails.
Hard to see in the left-hand picture, a lean and hungry Percy is patiently waiting for dinner to be delivered! |
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Poised for dinner! |
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Bottle of wine - fruit of the vine....
On a regular inspection of the shed - it seems this python became enamoured of our Strawberry wine - it managed to open bottles by the simple expedient of pushing them off the shelf onto the concrete floor!
We found the culprit in the morning still embracing an unopened bottle above a sea of glass and wine - a scene reminiscent of the some city streets on a Sunday morning?
Wenever did find out whether he or she had consumed much of the wine - but it is unusual to find a python in such a human-trafficked area in daylight. |
In the physical website space
I am sure I look much more attractive than that! |
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One evening - after a day in the workshop I returned to the office to work on the website - as it happens some wildlife images.
I leave it to your imagination to describe my feelings when one of the subjects decided to take a critical look at my work ......
You can view a photo journal of this encounter and eviction here..... |
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Continue your exploration of wildlife at Middle Path......
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| With feathers:-
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| With fur:-
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With scales:-
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| With none of the above:-
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| With us:-
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This document (www.middlepath.com.au/about/wildlife_snakes_carpet.php) was last updated on Monday June 16th 2008 || email
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