One of the largest snake species in the world and the largest in Australia and New Guinea. True to its name, this powerful constrictor often has scales with a shimmering, purplish or iridescent sheen in sunlight, resembling the glint of amethyst gemstones. It’s a non-venomous snake, but its size, strength, and striking appearance make it one of the most impressive reptiles in its native rainforest habitats.

Despite their gigantic size, they are slender and muscular, with beautifully patterned skin marked by olive, brown, and gold tones, often accented by lighter and darker patches that help with camouflage. Their heads are long and narrow, and they have heat-sensing pits along their lips, which allow them to detect the body heat of prey — an adaptation especially useful for hunting in the dark.

These pythons are ambush predators, using stealth and patience to surprise their prey. They feed on a wide variety of animals, including birds, bats, rodents, lizards, and even small marsupials or wallabies. Once they grab their prey with their sharp, backward-facing teeth, they wrap their powerful bodies around it in coils and suffocate it through constriction. While they typically live in forests, scrublands, and rocky outcrops, they are also excellent swimmers and climbers, and juveniles in particular are often seen in trees.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

2013

Queensland

Indonesia

2013

Papua

Papua New Guinea

2013