Along the body and tail are numerous clusters of yellow or cream scales that form "rosettes" that look a bit like diamonds (hence the common name).

She does not leave the eggs to eat during the incubation period, apart from briefly basking in the sun to raise her body temperature and then returning.

M. s. spilota can be found at higher altitudes (for example, in the eastern Gippsland region and Blue Mountains) than any other member of the family Pythonidae.

The diamond python is often active during the day and on warm nights, although most of its time is spent waiting in ambush for passing prey.

[4] M. s. spilota kills its food by constricting and suffocating it, and preys on lizards, birds, and mammals as large as possums.

The capture of wild specimens is illegal; however, it is successfully bred in captivity to supply the demand for this popular reptile.

[9] Captive-bred and captive-raised specimens become quite tame, tolerate gentle handling, and make good pets.