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Children's pythons
Antaresia - Wells & Wellington, 1984

Pronunciation: ann-tahr-EE-zee-ah
Etymology: after the star Antares in the tail of the constellation Scorpius.

Taxonomic notes:

Members of this genus have been placed into Liasis, Bothrochilus and Morelia. Excluding the pygmy python (Antaresia perthensis), all members of this genus appear to be related closely enough to allow hybridising.

Notes: Endemic to Australia.
Statistics: Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 4 out of 4 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: pygmy python (Antaresia perthensis) at 40 cm
 Longest Australian species: Children's python (Antaresia childreni) at up to 127 cm
Number of Australian species: 4
 

Children's python (Antaresia childreni)
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Photo © Stewart Macdonald
Children's python (Antaresia childreni) distribution range map Antaresia childreni
Children's python
Year described
(Gray 1842)
Description
Weakly patterned, with pattern tending to fade with age. Smooth-edged, circular dark blotches on back. Heat pits are present on lower labial scales, but there are no rostral heat pits.

spotted python (Antaresia maculosa)
Cracow, Queensland
Photo © Stewart Macdonald
spotted python (Antaresia maculosa) distribution range map Antaresia maculosa
Spotted python
Year described
(Peters 1873)
Description
Pattern is usually quite distinct. Has ragged-edged, irregular blotches on back. Heat pits are present on lower labial scales, but there are no rostral heat pits.

pygmy python (Antaresia perthensis)
Tom Price region, Western Australia
Photo © Stewart Macdonald
pygmy python (Antaresia perthensis) distribution range map Antaresia perthensis
Pygmy python
Year described
(Stull 1932)
Description
Reddish-brown with irregular darker spots. World's smallest python. Heat pits are present on lower labial scales, but there are no rostral heat pits.

Stimson's python (Antaresia stimsoni)
East Macdonnell Ranges, Northern Territory
Photo © Stewart Macdonald
Stimson's python (Antaresia stimsoni) distribution range map Antaresia stimsoni
Stimson's python
Year described
(Smith 1985)
Description
Pattern is usually distinct; pale line on side of neck, formed by the absence of darker blotches. Heat pits are present on lower labial scales, but there are no rostral heat pits.

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