The Water Python or Yellow Bellied Python has captured a Magpie Lark!
The Water Python or Yellow-Bellied Python has captured a Magpie Lark! The pythons are found here in The Kimberely and althought many think they are the Olive Python, the water python’s scales are an iridescent dark grey colour which reflects the colours of the rainbow.
Capturing a Magpie Lark.
An aboriginal myth tells the story of the Rainbow Serpent (Water Python) which created the rivers and valleys of northern Australia with it’s brightly coloured body.
Water Pythons feed on rats, bandicoots, wallabies, water birds (and their eggs) and has also be seen feeding on small Freshwater Crocodiles! Their prey is usually ambushed when it comes to drink. Just like this Magpie Lark, who had come in for a drink at the water bowl.
Water Pythons inhabit freshwater swamps, lagoons, creeks and rivers across the tropical north of Australia. Water Pythons have also been found in the Torres Straits and Papua New Guinea. They are very fond of water and in the wild frequently use water as an escape route.
We are very happy to see these guys here at Parry’s; it shows us that the Pythons are breeding well and numbers are rising after many species numbers dropped when the Cane Toad invaded the Western side of Australia.