Stimson’s Python
Scientific Name
Antaresia stimsoni
Conservation Status
The IUCN red list considers the stimsons python to be a least concern species. Considered Vulnerable in the New South Wales portion of their range.
This animal can visit your location for a presentation.
This animal is used for Wilbur’s Wildlife event displays.
This animal is on show during private zoo tours.
Our Animals
Wilbur’s Wildlife are home to a pair of Stimson’s Python. The larger one is a female named Bella and the smaller snake is a male known as Lucas. Bella and Lucas are both 10 years old and appear regularly in our up close native animal experiences.
Appearance
The most noticeable feature of the Stimson’s python is that their back is patterned with large blotches of colour darker than the base colour. This base colour is yellow, reddish or brown with the blotches being darker shades of these colours. The underside is white.
Stimson’s pythons are one of Australia’s smaller snakes. The average animal measures up to 70cm long though they can reach lengths of up to 1m.
Lifespan
These animals live for between 15 and 25 years.
Diet
Stimson’s pythons are carnivorous. As a snake their slow metabolism means they eat infrequently often as little as once a week. Stimson’s python feed on other animal’s including frogs, lizards and small mammals and birds.
At Wilbur’s Wildlife our Stimson’s pythons receive one adult mouse per week.
Habitat
The range of the Stimson’s python covers every mainland state and territory except for Victoria and the Australian capital territory. Their range is mainly inland except in Western Australian where they extend to the coast.
Typically associated with rocky outcrops the Stimson’s python can also be found on open plains, shrubland, woodland, savanna and arid areas.
Reproduction
Stimson’s pythons reproduce through laying eggs. Each clutch may contain between 6 and 15 eggs. Breeding takes place during spring.
The mother spends the 55-day incubation period coiled around the eggs keeping them warm.
Behaviour
The Stimson’s python is non-venomous. They coil around their prey to constrict it when they are hunting. Once they have their food, they consume it whole. On either side of their mouth are heat sensing pits which they use to locate their food.
When looking for a place to shelter they may utilise crevices, hollows, timber along watercourses and termite mounds.
Threats
This species does not face any immediate threat at present.
How you can help
This species is a popular pet. When buying a Stimson’s python as a pet ensure you buy one which has been bred in captivity from a licensed breeder. As well as ensuring you are not harming wild populations these animals are also less likely to have health issues.
Quick Facts
The Stimson’s python is also known as the large blotched python.
References
Australian Reptile Park – Wildlife Park Sydney & Animal Encounters Australia. (2018). Stimson Python Habitat, Diet & Reproduction – Sydney. [online] Available at: https://reptilepark.com.au/animals/reptiles/snakes/python/stimson-python/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2018].
Arkive. (2018). Stimson’s python videos, photos and facts – Antaresia stimsoni | Arkive. [online] Available at: http://www.arkive.org/stimsons-python/antaresia-stimsoni/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2018].
Doughty, P., Ellis, R., Melville, J., Oliver, P., Wilson, S. and Teale, R. (2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [online] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/13300683/13300693#conservation-actions [Accessed 11 Dec. 2018].
Swanson, S. (2014). Field guide to Australian reptiles. 2nd ed. Glebe: Pascal Press, p.251.
Elliott, A. and Johnson, R. (2014). A guide to … Australian pythons in captivity. 1st ed. Burleigh: Reptile Publications, pp.148-151.
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