The specific name, cheynei, is in honor of Cheyne Wellington.

[3] The type locality given is "Ravenshoe, on the Atherton Tableland, north Queensland, in Lat.

[1][4] Adults of these medium-sized pythons typically measure 5–7 ft (1.5–2.1 m) in total length.

As with most species of snakes, females are typically larger than males.

They feed on medium-sized rodents such as rats, mice, and baby rabbits in captivity.