It is known as nm in the Kalam language of Papua New Guinea.
Taxonomy
Formerly, five subspecies of Morelia amethistina, including the nominate race, M. a. amethystina, were generally recognized. The Mollucan 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 Papua New Guinea and many of its near offshore islands, the former M. a. amethystina is quite common. In Australia, the former M. a. kinghorni is represented. In 2014 Reynolds et al. elevated all of these taxa to full species status in the genusSimalia as Simalia amethistina, Simalia clastolepis, Simalia kinghorni, Simalia nauta, and Simalia tracyae. According to McDiarmid et al., all cases in which the specific name was spelled with a y follow Daudin's Python amethystinus and are therefore unjustified emendations. The specific name, amethistina, is an allusion to the milky iridescent sheen on its scales, which gives it an amethyst-like color.
Description
Specimens of S. amethistina have reportedly been measured at more than in total length, but this is exceptional, as specimens are already considered large. As is typical for very large constricting snakes, almost no verified specimens of this species have exceeded. However, in 1990, while conducting a herpetological survey, Tom Mendelson collected a wild female specimen on Biak Island, far Eastern Indonesia, which measured 22 feet 7 inches. Another huge female, in a report considered reliable by the staff of the Guinness Book of World Records, was measured by S. Dean in 1954 as. A typical adult specimen will measure around. Females typically weigh around. Some exceptional specimens have been confirmed to weigh over and unconfirmed outsized specimens have been reported to scale, although no specimen of this enormous size has been authenticated. Males are much smaller and slimmer, averaging at at maturity, and occasionally weighing upwards of. The body is relatively slim, unlike those of many other large members of this family. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 39–53 rows at midbody. There are deep heat-sensing pits on six or seven of the posteriorlower labials.
The scrub python is found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. The type locality is unknown. S. amethistina occurs in both bushland and suburbia. In Indonesia and northern tropical Queensland, it is found mostly in rainforests. Warm, humid habitats with good water sources are preferred. In northern Australia and 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. Larger Australian and Papuan specimens catch and eat wallabies, and cuscus, waiting by creek and river banks for prey seeking drinking water.
