docile nature and striking color pattern, A. melanocephalus has become very desirable as an exotic pet. It is bred in captivity and can be relatively easily obtained, but does command a high price. As it can be a muscular snake and reaches a fairly substantial size, prospective owners should consider a suitable enclosure, as well as temperature and feeding requirements. In human culture A. melanocephalus is mentioned in, or plays a central role in, the stories of the Indigenous Australians Dreamtime tradition. References Further reading Boulenger GA (1893). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families ... Boidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I–XXVIII. (Aspidites melanocephalus, p. 91). Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. . Krefft G (1864). "Description of Aspidiotes melanocephalus, a New Snake from Port Denison, N.E. Australia". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1864: 20-22. Wilson S, Swan G (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. . External links Black-headed Python video Accessed 30 June 2013 The Creation Story of the Wardaman People at Renewing Women's Business. Accessed 19 September 2007. Black-Headed Python at Zoos Victoria. Accessed 19 September 2007. Aspidites melanocephalus at Python Pete Reptiles. Accessed 19 September 2007. Pythonidae Reptiles of Western Australia Taxa named by Gerard Krefft Reptiles described in 1864 Snakes of Australia