Description

Very large and slender.
Pale yellow/brown with many darker blotches, some coalescing into a mesh-like pattern.
Iridescent sheen.

Similar species

Taxonomic notes

The Australian population is now regarded as separate from the New Guinea population.¹ - Harvey et al. (2000). Systematics of Pythons of the Morelia amethistina Complex (Serpentes: Boidae) with the Description of Three New Species. Herpetological Monographs, 14:139-185.

Scale count information

Dorsal scales at midbody		35 to 50
Ventrals		270 to 340 with a single anal scale
Subcaudals		80 to 120 and are divided
Other scale information		Head scales large and symmetrical.
Danger rating		Non-venomous. Not considered dangerous, but can still bite. A bite from a really big snake would really hurt! Note: even a bite from a 'virtually harmless' or non-venomous reptile can result in serious complications. Play it safe and don't get bitten by anything.

Range

North-east Queensland.

One specimen recorded from Magnetic Island. This was possibly an escaped pet or translocated individual.

Records of the species from the Whitsunday region have been claimed as escapees (or their progeny) from Rob Bredl's now-closed reptile park, but this seems doubtful.

Found in the following Australian states/territories

Queensland

Habitat

Rainforests in the Wet Tropics, but found in drier forests further north on Cape York.

Recorded from the following parks/reserves

• Barron Gorge National Park - Queensland
• Black Mountain National Park - Queensland
• Cape Melville National Park - Queensland
• show all 21 parks...

• Barron Gorge National Park - Queensland
• Black Mountain National Park - Queensland
• Cape Melville National Park - Queensland
• Cedar Bay National Park - Queensland
• Crater Lakes National Park - Queensland
• Daintree National Park - Queensland
• Danbulla National Park - Queensland
• Dinden National Park - Queensland
• Gillies Highway Forest Reserve - Queensland
• Heathlands Resources Reserve - Queensland
• Iron Range National Park - Queensland
• Iron Range Resources Reserve - Queensland
• Kirrama National Park - Queensland
• Kuranda National Park - Queensland
• Mungkan Kandju National Park - Queensland
• Paluma Range National Park - Queensland
• Tam O'Shanter Forest Reserve - Queensland
• Tam O'Shanter National Park - Queensland
• Tully Falls Forest Reserve - Queensland
• Tully Gorge National Park - Queensland
• Wooroonooran National Park - Queensland
• show fewer parks...

The following sources may have been consulted when the above list was compiled:

• Environmental Protection Agency (2008). Wildlife Online (Database). Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. Available: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/wildlife_online/index.html Accessed: 28 March 2007

Natural history

Males are bigger than females. All age classes and sexes appear to have distinct home ranges.² - Fearn et al. (2005). Giant snakes in tropical forests: a field study of the Australian scrub python, Morelia kinghorni. Wildlife Research, 32(2):193-201.

Diet

Mammals.

Captive care

Common in captivity, but they tend to be snappy.

Conservation status

This species does not appear to be listed as of conservation concern.

General threats

General threats to reptiles, and indeed all native wildlife, include:

• habitat loss from land clearing - it is estimated that between 1997 and 1999 in Queensland, 89 million reptiles were killed each year due to land clearing (Cogger et al. 2003) Impacts of Land Clearing on Australian Wildlife in Queensland.
• habitat degradation by introduced species such as cattle and rabbits - do your bit: eat roo not beef!
• habitat modification caused by global climate change
• death on roads
• feral predators such as dogs, cats, pigs and foxes
• the introduced cane toad
• emerging diseases

Note: these are general threats and may not apply to this particular species.

How you can help

There are many ways you can help our reptiles. Here are my top three suggestions:

1. donate to a habitat restoration organisation
2. ensure your carbon footprint is as small as possible
3. donate to another habitat restoration organisation

References

1. Harvey, Michael B.; Barker, David G.; Ammerman, Loren K.; & Chippindale, Paul T. (2000). Systematics of Pythons of the Morelia amethistina Complex (Serpentes: Boidae) with the Description of Three New Species. Herpetological Monographs, 14:139-185.
2. Fearn, S.; Schwarzkopf, L.; & Shine, Richard (2005). Giant snakes in tropical forests: a field study of the Australian scrub python, Morelia kinghorni. Wildlife Research, 32(2):193-201. - search web for this article

 

Additional links

Note: the links below are automatically generated. Some may not take you to useful information.

• Google searches - web | images | scholar
• Search The University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web
• Search Wikipedia for Morelia kinghorni
• Scrub python at The TIGR Reptile Database