Australia is home to top-notch wildlife, and among its strongest reptiles is the amethystine python , or scrub python. The behemoth of a snake is harmless but has left others speechless over its enormity and resilience. In one terrifying incident in 2023, a man came home to discover a massive scrub python on the kitchen counter in North Queensland. Not so long ago, another python of the same species was seen crossing a road inside the Daintree Rainforest — a shot which was featured on front pages everywhere.
These observations remind us of how deeply rooted the wildlife is in the Australian landscape. Not only is the amethystine python among the largest pythons in the world, but it is also a living testament to how much nature and contemporary life coexist in this special part of the world.
Amethystine python: Taxonomy and evolution
The amethystine python, Morelia amethystina, belongs to the class Reptilia and order Squamata — snakes and lizards. They belong to the family Pythonidae that comprises nonpoisonous constrictors that kill their victims by binding them tightly around them.
They were first put into one species, but as more studies verified, there was a group of closely related species. These snakes, which inhabit a band running from Australia to Papua New Guinea and some areas of Indonesia, are now referred to as the "amethystine python complex." This illustrates how extreme changes in behaviours, sizes, and habitats can separate a species from another and what severe consequences this has on conservation.
Amethystine python: Physical features
The amethystine python grows to enormous lengths — some up to 26 feet (8 meters), though the average is 10 to 16 feet. They are short and muscular, perfect for constriction. Their hides are speckled with an awesome pattern and a lustrous, iridescent sheen that can appear purple (like amethyst) in the right light, after which they have been named.
Although they are heavy, they are good climbers. Their vertically slit eyes with very small pupils give a clue about their nocturnal habits, and heat pits help them track warm-blooded prey in total darkness.
Amethystine python habitat
They inhabit northern regions of Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. They also inhabit Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands. While they thrive in tropical rainforests, they're just as happy in savannas and even around human habitation. Their ability to adapt means that they contribute significantly to the environment in a large number of habitats.
Amethystine python: Hunting technique
The amethystine python is a stealthy hunter. It hunts primarily at night, employing ambush techniques — remaining still until prey comes close. It will then strike with lightning, gripping the animal with backwards-facing teeth before wrapping its powerful body around its prey.
These are not fussy snakes. They hunt on land, on trees, and even on water bodies. Their versatility enables them to consume a wide range of animals, from birds and bats to mammals such as possums.
Amethystine python: Diet
Their diet ranges from rodents, bats, and birds to smaller reptiles and occasionally larger animals like wallabies or even deer. Because of their stretchy jaws, they can consume animals much wider than their head. They can also attack domestic animals around human habitations, such as chickens.
In the wild, they go weeks without food, depending on the size and availability of food. In captivity, they have more predictable feeding but should be well taken care of to ensure that no sickness is caused.
Amethystine python: Mating and reproduction
Mating season is normally from July through November. Males chase females using scent, and males engage in fighting for mating rights in a ritualistic grappling match. Following copulation, the female lays a clutch of eggs, usually a dozen or so, and coils over them to warm them. She shivers her muscles to produce heat in a process called shivering thermogenesis. The eggs incubate for a period of around two months, and the hatchling pythons are weaned from infancy.
Amethystine python conservation
Currently, the amethystine python is listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning that it's not currently threatened. Its broad range and adaptability to various habitats have contributed to a thriving population.
Still, habitat destruction, climate change, and wildlife trade pose possible threats in the future. Conservation is still needed to ensure the species remains healthy for generations to come.
Also Read | New species of large, black-eyed snake discovered by scientists in Papua New Guinea
These observations remind us of how deeply rooted the wildlife is in the Australian landscape. Not only is the amethystine python among the largest pythons in the world, but it is also a living testament to how much nature and contemporary life coexist in this special part of the world.
Amethystine python: Taxonomy and evolution
The amethystine python, Morelia amethystina, belongs to the class Reptilia and order Squamata — snakes and lizards. They belong to the family Pythonidae that comprises nonpoisonous constrictors that kill their victims by binding them tightly around them.
They were first put into one species, but as more studies verified, there was a group of closely related species. These snakes, which inhabit a band running from Australia to Papua New Guinea and some areas of Indonesia, are now referred to as the "amethystine python complex." This illustrates how extreme changes in behaviours, sizes, and habitats can separate a species from another and what severe consequences this has on conservation.
Amethystine python: Physical features
The amethystine python grows to enormous lengths — some up to 26 feet (8 meters), though the average is 10 to 16 feet. They are short and muscular, perfect for constriction. Their hides are speckled with an awesome pattern and a lustrous, iridescent sheen that can appear purple (like amethyst) in the right light, after which they have been named.
Although they are heavy, they are good climbers. Their vertically slit eyes with very small pupils give a clue about their nocturnal habits, and heat pits help them track warm-blooded prey in total darkness.
Amethystine python habitat
They inhabit northern regions of Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. They also inhabit Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands. While they thrive in tropical rainforests, they're just as happy in savannas and even around human habitation. Their ability to adapt means that they contribute significantly to the environment in a large number of habitats.
Amethystine python: Hunting technique
The amethystine python is a stealthy hunter. It hunts primarily at night, employing ambush techniques — remaining still until prey comes close. It will then strike with lightning, gripping the animal with backwards-facing teeth before wrapping its powerful body around its prey.
These are not fussy snakes. They hunt on land, on trees, and even on water bodies. Their versatility enables them to consume a wide range of animals, from birds and bats to mammals such as possums.
Amethystine python: Diet
Their diet ranges from rodents, bats, and birds to smaller reptiles and occasionally larger animals like wallabies or even deer. Because of their stretchy jaws, they can consume animals much wider than their head. They can also attack domestic animals around human habitations, such as chickens.
In the wild, they go weeks without food, depending on the size and availability of food. In captivity, they have more predictable feeding but should be well taken care of to ensure that no sickness is caused.
Amethystine python: Mating and reproduction
Mating season is normally from July through November. Males chase females using scent, and males engage in fighting for mating rights in a ritualistic grappling match. Following copulation, the female lays a clutch of eggs, usually a dozen or so, and coils over them to warm them. She shivers her muscles to produce heat in a process called shivering thermogenesis. The eggs incubate for a period of around two months, and the hatchling pythons are weaned from infancy.
Amethystine python conservation
Currently, the amethystine python is listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning that it's not currently threatened. Its broad range and adaptability to various habitats have contributed to a thriving population.
Still, habitat destruction, climate change, and wildlife trade pose possible threats in the future. Conservation is still needed to ensure the species remains healthy for generations to come.
Also Read | New species of large, black-eyed snake discovered by scientists in Papua New Guinea
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