Amethystine Python, Simalia amethistina (Schneider, 1801) – of central Province / Papua New Guinea – around 800m ASL

Commonly known as the Amethystine Python or New Guinea Scrub Python, is a large, non-venomous snake of the family Pythonidae. Formerly classified as Morelia amethistina, it is widely distributed across mainland New Guinea and numerous adjacent islands, whereas the Australian and several Moluccan populations once included within the same species are now recognised as distinct taxa. It inhabits environments ranging from savanna woodland to tropical rainforest and has been recorded from sea level to approximately 1585 m elevation. The species is partly arboreal but also moves and hunts on the ground; its strongly prehensile tail facilitates climbing, while heat-sensitive pits in the lip scales assist in detecting warm-blooded prey. Individuals are frequently encountered on roads at night, indicating substantial nocturnal activity. Reported prey includes rats, bandicoots, bats, birds and lizards, with large individuals capable of consuming relatively large mammals. Prey is seized with the jaws and killed by constriction. The specific epithet amethistina refers to the amethyst-like, iridescent sheen visible on the scales under suitable light.