Amethystine python (Simalia amethistina)

Short answers

Amethystine python: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 300×250×200 cm for an adult animal (per the 1997 expert report, height is capped at 2.00 m regardless of the calculation); tall and climb-friendly, with a bathing pool.

Amethystine python: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C (cooler end 24–26 °C), basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 22–25 °C.

Amethystine python: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Optional.

Amethystine python: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Amethystine python: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Intermediate to expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C (cooler end 24–26 °C)

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

Optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 300×250×200 cm for an adult animal (per the 1997 expert report, height is capped at 2.00 m regardless of the calculation); tall and climb-friendly, with a bathing pool

Substrate

Orchid bark or coco humus (moisture-retaining)

Feeding

Food

Rats, rabbits, larger rodents (frozen-thawed)

Feeding interval

adults every 2–4 weeks

Key facts

Adult size

3–5 m (individuals larger still)

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

Australia, New Guinea, the Moluccas / Indonesia

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (registration required)

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

A large, semi-arboreal climbing python – a tall terrarium with stable branches, and no rack keeping. The young are partly irritable; handle large animals with two people.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Amethystine python (Simalia amethistina) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Australian scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) – Intermediate
• Boelen's python (Simalia boeleni) – Expert
• Angolan python (Python anchietae) – Intermediate
• Black-headed python (Aspidites melanocephalus) – Intermediate
• Burmese python (Python bivittatus) – Expert
• Indian python (Python molurus) – Expert
• Ball python (Python regius) – Beginner to intermediate
• Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Amethystine python (Simalia amethistina) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 300×250×200 cm for an adult animal (per the 1997 expert report, height is capped at 2.00 m regardless of the calculation); tall and climb-friendly, with a bathing pool), substrate (Orchid bark or coco humus (moisture-retaining)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.