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27. Woma snake, Simpson Desert
Title : 27. Woma snake, Simpson Desert 27. Woma snake, Simpson Desert
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Creator : Mountford, Charles P., photographer
Date of creation : 1938
Format : Photograph
Dimensions : 60 x 60 mm
Contributor : State Library of South Australia
Catalogue record
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Description :

Woma snake found near the Weelina water hole in the Simpson desert.


'Cecil' the woma python was dragged from his hole near the Weelina water hole by Mount Dare Station owner Edwin Lowe. He exacted some vengeance for his unceremonious capture that evening when he escaped from the 400 gallon tank he was being held in and tried to make his way into expedition leader Grenfell Price's bed - sending panic throughout the homestead.

He was recaptured, and is shown here basking in the morning sun the following day.

The intention was to return Cecil to Adelaide to be studied at the Museum, but unfortunately he died en route. His body was studied by prominent zoologist and snake expert T. Harvey Johnston, and then returned to the Museum where a cast was made of him.

Less than sympathetic to Cecil's plight, the papers reported "Cecil is now dead, and Mr. Mountford was terribly cut up about it. So now, is Cecil."

Subjects
Coverage year : 1938
Place : Simpson Desert
Region : Flinders Ranges and Far North - Outback
Further reading :
Connell, Gordon. The mystery of Ludwig Leichhardt. Carlton, Vic. : Melbourne University Press, 1980

Lamshed, Max. 'Monty' : the biography of C.P. Mountford, Adelaide : Rigby, 1972, pp. 56-60

Mountford, Charles P. 'Papers relating to the South Australian Government Expedition to search for the remains of explorer Ludwig Leichhardt', PRG 1218/9

Price, A. Grenfell. The Mystery of Leichhardt : the South Australian government expedition of 1938, South Australia : Royal Geographical Society, 1937-38

Roderick, Colin. Leichhardt, the dauntless explorer, North Ryde, N.S.W. : Angus & Robertson, 1988

Shephard, Mark. The Simpson Desert : natural history and human endeavour, Adelaide : Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (South Australian Branch) and Giles Publications, 1992

Torr, Geordie. Pythons of Australia : a natural history, Sydney : UNSW Press, 2000
Internet links :
National Museum of Australia. Leichhardt: the man, the mystery, the science, the history [symposium held in 2007]

South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board - Woma python (Aspidites ramsayi)

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