Amethystine python
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pythonidae
Genus:	Simalia
Species:	S. amethistina
Binomial name
Simalia amethistina (Schneider, 1801)
Range shown as dark orange and bright orange regions
Synonyms
[Boa] Amethistina Schneider, 1801 Python amethystinus — Daudin, 1803 [Constrictor] amethystina — Wagler, 1830 Boa amethystina — Wagler, 1830 Python amethystinus — Schlegel, 1837 [Boa Python] amethystinus — Schlegel, 1837 Liasis amethystinus — Gray, 1842 Liasis amethystinus — A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Liasis (Simalia) amethystinus — Gray, 1849 Aspidopython Jakati A. Meyer, 1874 Liasis amethystinus — W. Peters & Doria, 1878 Liasis duceboracensis Günther, 1879 Hypaspistes dipsadides Ogilby, 1891 Python amethystinus — Boulenger, 1893 Liasis clarki Barbour, 1914 Liasis a[methistinus]. amethistinus — Stull, 1933 Liasis amethistinus — Brongersma, 1953 Liasis amethystinus amethystinus — Kinghorn, 1956 Liasis amethistinus — Stimson, 1969 Python amethistinus — McDowell, 1975 Morelia amethistina — H.G. Cogger, Cameron & H.M. Cogger, 1983 Australiasis amethistinus — Wells & Wellington, 1984 Morelia amethistina — Underwood & Stimson, 1990 M[orelia]. amethistina — Kluge, 1993 Morelia amethystina — D. Barker & T. Barker, 1994 Morelia amethistina amethistina — O'Shea, 1996[2] Simalia amethistina — Reynolds et al., 2014[3]

The amethystine python (Simalia amethistina, formerly known as Morelia amethistina), also known as the scrub python or sanca permata in Indonesian, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Popular among reptile enthusiasts, and noted for its coloration and size, it is one of the largest snakes in the world, as measured either by length or weight, and is the largest native snake in Papua New Guinea. Until 2000, the larger S. kinghorni was generally considered a subspecies of S. amethistina, and this change of classification has still not been universally reflected in literature. Because of this issue, S. amethistina has often been described as the largest snake in Australia, but this is not accurate since under the current classification, this species does not occur in Australia.^[4]

Taxonomy

Formerly, five subspecies of Morelia amethistina, including the nominate race, M. a. amethystina, were generally recognized. The Moluccan Islands (including Halmahera, Ternate and Tidore) are home to the former M. a. tracyae. The Tanimbar Islands are home to a smaller subspecies, the former M. a. nauta. On the island of Seram, the former M. a. clastolepis can be found. On mainland of Papua New Guinea (including the Indonesian western half, once called Irian Jaya—now West Papua), and many of its nearby offshore islands, the former M. a. amethystina is quite common. In Australia, the former M. a. kinghorni is represented.^[5] American biologist Michael Harvey and colleagues investigated the amethystine python complex and recognised five separate species – Simalia amethistina, Simalia clastolepis, Simalia kinghorni, Simalia nauta, and Simalia tracyae – based on cladistic analysis of cytochrome b sequences and morphology.^[6] In 2014 cladistic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial genes of pythons and boas, R. Graham Reynolds and colleagues supported the distinctness of M. tracyae, M. amethistina, and M. clastolepis, but were less confident of M. kinghorni and M. nauta.^[7]

According to McDiarmid et al. (1999), all cases in which the specific name was spelled with a y follow Daudin's (1803) Python amethystinus and are therefore unjustified emendations.^[2] The specific name, amethistina, is an allusion to the milky iridescent sheen on its scales, which gives it an amethyst-like colour.

Description

Specimens of S. amethistina have reportedly been measured at more than 5.5 m (18.0 ft) in total length (including tail), but this is exceptional, as 4 m (13 ft) specimens are already considered extremely large. Although the amethystine python is smaller than the Australian scrub python, some sources claim that S. amethistina is able to reach lengths of 6 m (20 ft), with a weight up to 27 kg (60 lb)^[8] and perhaps even 30 kg (66 lb).^[9]

The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 39–53 rows at midbody. There are deep, heat-sensing pits on six or seven of the posterior lower labials.^[10]

Distribution and habitat

The Amethystine python is found in Indonesia (Maluku Islands, Timur Laut Islands, Banda, Kai Islands, Aru Islands, Misool, Salawati, most of Western New Guinea, many islands in Geelvink Bay, such as Biak, Numfor, Yapen, and Supiori), and Papua New Guinea (including Umboi Island, Bismarck Archipelago, Trobriand Islands, the d'Entrecasteaux Islands to Rossel Island, Louisiade Archipelago). Amethystine pythons are also distributed in Northern Australia. The type locality is unknown.^[2]

S. amethistina occurs in both bushland and suburbia. In Indonesia, it is found mostly in rainforests. Warm, humid habitats with good water sources are preferred. In New Guinea, it mostly lives in scrublands.

Feeding

The diet of the amethystine python generally consists of birds, bats, rats, possums, and other small mammals.^[11] Larger Papuan specimens catch and eat wallabies, and cuscus, waiting by creek and river banks for prey seeking drinking water.