The black-headed python looks engineered: a body wrapped in fine gold-and-charcoal banding, finished with a head and neck in flawless gloss black, as if dipped in lacquer. That black head is functional solar tech — BHPs bask by exposing just the head from a burrow — and it belongs to one of the most personable large-bodied pythons in the hobby. Like its woma cousin, the species has no heat pits and a famously level temperament.
European captive-bred, feeding on defrosted rats.
At a Glance
| Species | Aspidites melanocephalus (black-headed python) |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 1.5–2.5 m |
| Lifespan | 25–30 years |
| Enclosure | 150×60×50 cm; floor space priority |
| Temperature | Basking 33–35 °C on a surface; ambient mid-20s |
| Humidity | 30–50 % — keep it dry |
| Diet | Defrosted rodents — strictly portioned; BHPs gain weight easily |
| Experience level | Intermediate |
Black-Headed Python Care Basics
Set up like a woma scaled up: deep dry substrate, a hot basking stone the head can press against, snug hides, and disciplined feeding — every two to three weeks for adults, judged by body condition. BHPs are ground-dwellers with surprising strength; anchor décor well. Their curiosity is real: expect the black head periscoping out to watch you within a week of settling in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are BHPs aggressive feeders?
Keen, not aggressive — and hook-tapping at the door separates food time from handling completely. Defensive bites are a rarity in this species.
Why must they be kept dry?
They’re arid-zone burrowers; chronic humidity causes scale and respiratory problems. Dry heat with one humid retreat for shedding is the formula.
How do they compare to womas?
Same easy genus temperament, more size and presence, that unforgettable black head. Many keepers of one end up with the other.
Why Buy From EU Exotic Reptile Hub
- Captive-bred in Europe — no wild-caught animals, ever
- Live-arrival guarantee and health guarantee on every animal
- Verified feeding — we ship only established feeders, with a feeding record
- Lifetime care support from our keepers, one message away
Shipping Across the EU
We ship EU-wide with specialist live-animal couriers in insulated, heat- or cool-packed boxes, dispatched only when the weather forecast along the whole route is safe. You receive tracking on dispatch day and your animal typically arrives within 24 hours. See our shipping policy and FAQ for full details.
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