One boid snake, the Diamond Python, Morelia spilota spilota, occurs in the Sydney region. It is found along the south-east coast of New South Wales from the Victorian border to just north of the Hunter Valley where it is replaced the Carpet Python, Morelia spilota variegata. It is a large snake growing to just over 2 m in length, characteristically black in colour with cream to yellow shaped diamond markings. The Diamond Python was once widespread in the Sydney region, particularly in the sandstone habitats. It still occurs in larger bushland reserves to the north and south of the harbour at Ku-ring-gai Chase and Royal National Parks, and possibly in bushland in the upper reaches of the harbours northern tributaries. Diamond Pythons lay a number of soft-shelled eggs (resembling marshmallows) in a mass that the female python 'broods' by coiling around the eggs. Young Diamond Pythons are very different in colouration from the adults, being more a mottle of dark and lighter browns.