Why This Python Has a Black Head!

Why This Python Has a Black Head!

The Black Headed Python ( Aspidites melanocephalus ) is a famous species of snake in Australia due to its incredible colouration with its head looking like it has been dipped in black paint. Why does it have a black head? The reason is because all snakes are ectothermic, aka cold blooded, meaning they need the sun to regulate their body temperature. The black head allows the snake to warm up its whole body quickly (as black absorbs heat well) while keeping the rest of the body hidden from predators or its prey that it will be ambushing.The Python is one of 2 species in the genus, the other being the woma python that lacks the black head. They both lack heat seating pits which is uncommon for python species.

This episode also features the Bearded Dragon - prey for the Black Headed Python.

To keep updated, SUBSCRIBE and hit notifications bell!! - https://www.youtube.com/c/MadeInTheWild

Check out my instagram ! https://www.instagram.com/madeinthewi...

DISCLAIMER
Jack Randall has extensive experience handling and studying wild animals. Where filming with dangerous animals Made in the Wild works with scientists and wildlife institutions. Do not attempt to handle wild animals without appropriate training and permits.

About Jack Randall:
Jack is a zoologist on an adventure! His mission is to show off the world’s most amazing animals. And to do that he must explore the world’s most wild places… You can also catch Jack on his TV show with National Geographic Wild / Disney+ called "Out There with Jack Randall" . Jack was educated at Oxford University following an apprenticeship with the iconic Steve Irwin (which started when Jack was 14!).

What Are Creature Features?
All creatures have evolved different tricks to survive in the wild places they call their homes! Each animal has an awesome story about how they look, what they eat and even how they move! Creature Features spotlight the stories behind these crazy cool adaptations.

The Science:
With over 1 Million species on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species, animal populations are in decline the world over. This is due to many reasons but what we know for sure is to keep the planet's amazing diversity of wildlife we need to learn as much as possible about where and how these creatures live their lives. Collating all the data we are gathering will help build a picture of which habitats are key to sustaining the largest diversity of life on planet earth.

Thanks to our amazing team without whom the series would not have been possible!

Sarah Ash, Camera & Edit
Mike Wyatt, Graphics