• As one of the ‘giant’ snakes, it has been recorded at a length of up to 8.5 metres (28 ft), but are more frequently found at lengths of 5m (16 ft).
• It acquires its name from the fact that when viewed from certain angles in direct sunlight, it displays an Amethyst coloured shine all over its body.
• It is a slender python for its size and is not able to kill large animals that the related Anaconda of South America and the Pythons of Africa and Asia can.

Markings:

• It has a series of pits along its jaw which are very heat sensitive organs. This enables the snake to locate its warm-blooded prey.
• This snake can be differentiated from the Carpet Python by the fact that is has a lesser number of large tortoise-like platelets on its head.

• These include the wetter tropical rainforests, monsoon forests and vine forests.

Hunting:

• There is no record of Amethystine Pythons being a danger to human beings and will do everything possible to avoid human contact.
• When small animals come within striking distance, the python seizes its prey with its gaping mouth, and throws coils of its body around the prey which constricts and suffocates the animal. The coiling of the snake around its prey also prevents the animals from moving and potentially inflicting harm upon the snake.

Diet:

• A pythons prey includes fruit bats, possums, rats, pademelons and ground dwelling birds.

• During your stay at The Chamber's, the best viewing situation for Amethystine Pythons is the 10:15am wildlife cruise on Lake Barrine.
• During winter they can sometimes be seen sunning themselves on log piles at The Chamber's.
• If you have a keen interest in viewing them, please let John Chambers know and he will advise you of any sightings during your stay.
• Sometimes can be seen on the top road when driving home at night.