Boelen's Python
Morelia boeleni
Did you know?
- Boelen's pythons are part of the Pythonidae family, which they share with many other pythons.
- They live in mountainous forests in Papua New Guinea.
- They are some of the least understood pythons.
- Their light-colored underbelly wraps around onto their top black scales in streaks.
- Females lay at least 14 eggs per clutch.
Adaptations
Boelen's pythons are some of the least-understood pythons. They have been found only in mid-mountain forests in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea has over 100 species of snakes, and many can be found only on the island. Boelen’s pythons seem to prefer areas with high humidity and low light levels. Although they live mainly on the forest floor, they are agile snakes. It is likely they climb trees and are at least partially arboreal.
Young and Family
A female will lay a large clutch with at least 14 eggs. At hatching, the Boelen's pythons are reddish in color. As they grow, they develop their adult coloration. As adults, their tops are black and their underbellies are white-yellow.
Threat Level
- Unknown
- Common
- Near Threatened
- Threatened
- Endangered
- Critically Endangered
- Extinct in the Wild
Not listed by IUCN
The conservation status is currently unknown
Range
New Guinea
Habitat
Mountain forests
We care about Boelen’s pythons
We support this species in the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium at the Zoo. Learn more about how we are helping wildlife around the world.
Find this animal in Historic Hill
SAINT LOUIS ZOO ZONE
Historic Hill
Historic Hill is a lovely stroll through one of the oldest parts of the Saint Louis Zoo. From the 1904 World’s Fair Flight Cage to the Spanish architectural flavor of the 1920s in the Bird House, Primate House and Herpetarium to the finishing touches of our thoroughly modern exhibits, this area of the Zoo has a unique ambiance and a nostalgic history that make it a great destination.