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Blackheaded Python - Aspidites melanocephalus
	Black headed python Aspidites melanocephalus This species is very easy to identify with its shiny black head and distinct banding. They are often known by common names such as the tar pot snake, rock python etc. In the winter months they are sometimes observed holding their head in a vertical position and it is thought that the black coloured head serves as a solar panel to heat their entire body without fully emerging from their burrow. Although their body coloration and pattern does not vary considerably there is noticeable differences in coloration between the ones found here in the Pilbara district of W.A  compared to Black headed pythons found in the Northern Territory and Queensland which tend to have a much darker body colour. In the south eastern parts of north Queensland there are specimens that have nice distinct orange bands and in my opinion, are quite spectacular (picture 1). The occasional specimen is found with dorsal line where the body bands meet at the peek of the vertebrate. I have never seen this line on any Pilbara specimens so far and I think this is a trait that more often occurs in the populations further north east of W.A. When encountered or disturbed in the wild, Black headed pythons will often hiss and open their mouth slightly when disturbed but will bite only rarely. When they do occasionally strike it is usually in the form of a head butt only. People that have been the unlucky recipients of a bite however, can testify to the fact that the blackhead has powerful jaws compared to other pythons of similar size. Blackheads Pythons predominately feed on reptiles including other snakes but will eat mammals. Although this python diet is made up of a very high percentage of reptiles than mammals, I believe that the specimens found in the desert areas of the Pilbara eat a much higher percentage of reptiles than Black headed pythons that inhabit the Queensland coastal areas. It is believed that as a consequence of mainly feeding on reptiles that Black headed pythons lack heat sensing pits on their labial scales. My personal belief however, is that they do have a specialized pit which is located directly under the rostral scale  (picture 2). This pit needs really needs further investigation at a cellular level to determine if my assumption is in fact true. Because of the lack of these labial pits and their head shape (no distinct head to neck taper) some people have mistaken this python as being venomous. Combined with the fact that they have distinct body banding, many have been killed on the assumption that they are a tiger snake. Another interesting observation and not so widely known, is that the black headed pythons found in the lower Pilbara coastal areas are a genetically smaller race compared to Blackheads found further up north, in the Northern Territory and in Queensland.
Also of interest is the fact that this western Pilbara morph lack sub-ocular scales and have a single loreal scale as apposed to two and occasionally more, which can be commonly found on BHPs found elsewhere. A common mistake made by many inexperienced reptile keepers is that all W.A BHPs are of lighter colouration. While it is true that the Pilbara specimens are of a white, creamy coloration, smaller in size and have single loreals, all other areas forms found in W.A are very similar to specimens found in the Northern Territory. Having had plenty of experience with wild caught Black headed pythons from Queensland and the Northern Territory, I have found that the Pilbara specimens are also far more temperamental and do not adapt to captivity as readily. Over the years there have been some interesting looking specimens found and bred. We are very fortunate to be the proud owners of a beautifully coloured golden yellow specimen found in the Pilbara.  (Picture 3) Captivity The black headed python is highly desired in captivity and in the past they have commanded quite high price tags. As there have been many more wild caught specimens over the last two years I suspect the price to fall. Blackheads can be hardy captives and are generally amendable to handling. It is highly advised that keepers do not feed off large rats as they contain too much fat. Many Blackheads have died of fatty liver disease or fat build up around their heart because of regular feeding of fat rats. Black headed pythons sometimes display a peculiar resting behaviour in which they lay on their side and to the inexperienced new keeper, can appear to be dead. It is not recommended to house this species together out side breeding times as they have been known on rare occasions to cannibalize on each other. Breeding It is well known that the black head is more difficult to breed in captivity than most other Australian pythons. I personally believe this is because many keepers fail to adequately cool them down during the winter months. Mating should occur in June or early July and if you are successful you can expect on average a clutch of around 8 large eggs. The average artificially incubation period of the eggs is about 65 days. When mixing water to an incubation medium, it is recommended to keep the moisture content on the side of dry. Many keepers have in the past experienced failure because their eggs have been exposed to higher humidity. Hatchlings sometimes can be notoriously difficult to get feeding on rodents first up. If however, you are faced with having to assist feed, then this is one of the easiest species to do this with. Often it is just a case of getting the rodent partially in to the throat area and they normally continue on with the process themselves.