The Amethystine Python or Scrub Python is a species of non-venomous snake native to Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea. As its name suggests, this snake belongs to the Python family of snakes.
This snake is considered one of the largest species of snake in the world in terms of overall length. It is the largest species native to Australia and New Guinea. Because of its large size and stunning coloration, it is a popular species among experienced reptile keepers, especially in Australia.
Taxonomy
The Amethystine Python belongs to the Python family of snakes. This is one of the most popular families of snake and contains other large species such as the Burmese Python, Indian Python and Reticulated Python.
The genus that this snake belongs to is called Simalia. The scientific name for the Amethystine Python is Simalia amethistina. There are currently 7 species classified under this genus. They are:
- Amethystine Python
- Boelen’s Python
- Southern Moluccan Python
- Scrub Python
- Tanimbar Python
- Oenpelli Rock Python
- Halmahera Python
It is important to note that until recently it was considered that there were 5 sub-species of Amethystine Python. At the time, the snake was classified under the Morelia genus.
However, each of these snakes have been reclassified under the genus Simalia with the Amethystine Python making up just one of the 5 ‘new’ species. To keep things simple, we are not going to differentiate too much between these species in this article but we taught it was important to mention this to avoid confusion.
Amethystine Python Description
The Amethystine Python is a large species of snake. However, it is difficult to find a definitive answer to how large these snakes can grow. As a number of species were considered sub-species of the Amethystine Python until recently, it is difficult to know what snake is being examined in older reports.
What we do know is that the length of these snakes can vary greatly depending on a number of factors including locale, food availability and genetics etc. A typical Amethystine Python can reach lengths of anywhere from 7-13 foot.
There are some specimens that have grown even larger than this but they are rare. Unconfirmed reports even state that the Amethystine Python can reach lengths in excess of 20 feet but this is very unlikely.
The reason for the large variation in adult size is primarily due to sexual dimorphism. Males of this species are generally smaller and slimmer than the females. It is common among snakes for males to be smaller than females.
The coloration of the snake consists of a dull olive brown or green-yellow colour. The scales have an iridescence appearance resulting in a purple/blue (amethyst) shimmering effect, especially in sunlight.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Amethystine Python can be found on many of the islands of Indonesia as well as the large Island of New Guinea. They are also native to the Northern regions of Queensland, Australia in the Cape York area.
These snakes can be found in shrub land, farmland and rainforests. They are particularly fond of warm, humid habitats that have a good source of water. These snakes are often found around rural communities where there is a higher presence of prey.
They live in a part of the world that has a huge diversity of different reptile species. They share part of their geographic distribution with a wide range of other reptiles such as the Bismarck Ringed Python, Blue Tailed Monitor, Blue Tongue Skink, Boelen’s Python, Crocodile Monitor, Emerald Tree Monitor, Mangrove Monitor, Mourning Gecko, Peach Throat Monitor and the Pink Bellied Side Neck Turtle. However, some of these reptiles may have different habitat niches.
Feeding an Amethystine Python
In the wild, the Amethystine Python will feed on a wide variety of animals. This snake is known to eat birds, bats, rodents and other small mammals. Larger specimens are even known to eat possums and wallabies.
In captivity, a juvenile can be fed every 7 days or so. As they are a long, slender snake that likes to climb, it is recommended to feed them prey that is slightly smaller than the snake at the snake’s largest point.
Feeding prey items that are slightly smaller than the girth of the snake will make the digestive process that bit quicker. The snake also won’t have an uncomfortable bulge in the middle of its body as it climbs.
From around a year old, you can reduce feedings to every 10-14 days of you want. Again, we recommend prey that is slightly smaller than the snake. If you are on a reduced feeding schedule, you may want to offer the snake more than one prey item at a time.
In captivity, an Amethystine Python will eat a wide variety of prey. You can feed them a diet of mice, rats, day old chicks, quail and rabbits. These are the typical prey items that are readily available in pet stores.
You should look to convert your snake to rats as soon as possible as they are readily available and are very nutrient dense. Some Amethystine Pythons can be picky eaters and may only accept day old chicks or mice.
Amethystine Python Housing
The Amethystine Python is a large snake that is semi-arboreal. They will need to be housed in a large enclosure with enough height to allow them to climb. This will ensure they can replicate their natural behaviour in captivity.
While many snakes do well in rack systems, the Amethystine Python simply isn’t suited to this type of enclosure. There are very few if any commercially available racks large enough to house one of these snakes. A rack system also won’t have enough height for these snakes.
An adult Amethystine Python on the smaller side, will need an enclosure measuring at least 4ft x 2ft x 3ft. This size enclosure is the minimum you should use for a snake measuring 6-7 feet in length.
A larger python will need a larger enclosure. If you have a very large Amethystine Python you may need an enclosure measuring up to 8ft x 3ft x 4ft in length. These types of enclosures are not commercially available and impractical for most hobbyists.
You will need to keep juveniles in an appropriately sized enclosure and upgrade them as they grow. You can expect your snake to require 2 or 3 upgrades before they reach their adult enclosure.
It is important to include plenty of climbing branches and perches in your enclosure. This will allow your snake to climb and replicate their natural behaviour. Floor space is also important as these snakes are only semi-arboreal.
Light and Heat
An Amethystine Python should be kept in an enclosure with an ambient temperature of around 80F. They should also have access to a hot spot of around 90F. In winter, the ambient temperature can drop to 70-75F but the hot spot should remain at 90F.
This is important to ensure that your snake can thermo-regulate correctly. Some keepers choose to use mats as the source of heat for juveniles and move onto heat bulbs in enclosures for larger snakes.
This is fine depending on your snake’s habits. Keep in mind that the Amethystine Python is a semi-arboreal species so if you snake spends the majority of its time off the ground, a heat mat is not going to be effective.
In this case, you will need to provide a heat or ceramic bulb to increase the air temperature around where your snake is perched. As the snake moves away from the source of the heat, the temperature will drop creating a thermal gradient.
Whatever heat source you use, it is important to ensure that it is connected to a good quality thermostat. This will ensure that the temperature in the enclosure remains constant and there are no dangerous spikes or drops in temperature.
Substrate
An Amethystine Python will do well on a wide variety of substrates. Some people use newspaper or paper towel as these substrates are easily cleaned and can be disposed of and replaced easily.
If you want a more natural substrate, Orchid Bark is a great option. This substrate is resistant to mould and generally doesn’t get ingested by the snake if the appropriate precautions are taken.
Some other options include eco earth or coco fibre, aspen bedding or reptile carpet. Whatever substrate you choose, it is important to ensure that it is cleaned and replaced when soiled.
Handling an Amethystine Python
Like all snakes, every individual Amethystine Python will have their own temperament and characteristics so it is important to get to know your animal and how they will react in different situations.
A lot of these snakes can be cage defensive, meaning they will often strike or try to bite if you attempt to take them out of their enclosure. However, once out of the enclosure, they are generally very calm and intuitive.
You should handle your Amethystine Python regularly from a young age. That way the snake will be used to handling when they are bigger and there is less chance that they will strike.
These snakes grow to a large size so you should be careful while handling them. It is recommended to have somebody with you during handling and never let children handle these snakes unattended.