Rough-scaled Python

The rough-scaled python is able to grow to around 2 m (6.6 ft) in total length. It has a triangular-shaped head with a conspicuous constriction at the neck area. M. carinata is distinguished by the presence of a large parietal scale and by having distinct keeled dorsal scales. The body is slim and muscular. The color pattern is light honey-tan with darker reddish-brown markings or dark brown with pale brown blotches. The blotches become larger toward the tail, so the pattern appears to be reversed. The belly is white, possibly with black spots. The markings are thought to assist in providing camouflage. The wrinkled to corrugated scales also assist the snake in climbing up sandstone and crevices. The species was first formally identified by biologist L.A. Smith in 1981 as part of the work A revision of the python genera Aspidites and Python (Serpentes: Boidae) in Western Australia as published in the Records of the Western Australian Museum.

These snakes are found in Australia, in northwestern Western Australia in the lower sections of the Mitchell and Hunter Rivers, just inland from the coast. The type locality given is "Mitchell River Falls, Western Australia (14°50'S, 125°42'E)" [Australia]. They are found in rocky valleys of Kimberley region in far northern Western Australia, where they climb on low trees and shrubs of monsoon rainforest. The species has one of the smallest distributions of any snake. They are present in the Charnley River–Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kimberley region. The species is often associated with fruit-bearing trees, possibly indicating a preference of ambush sites for herbivorous animals, and also close to permanent fresh water.

So far, they are reported to be strictly crepuscular. Their temperament is quite docile with rarely any attempts to bite.