Tanimbar Amethystine

[TeamSlitherin]

So, I popped in to my local reptile shop for some feeders the other day and was stunned by this little guy. I can't get him out of my brain! I don't know too much about scrub pythons or this particular locality, so I have a bit of research to do before I dive in. I tend to be an impulsive human, so it took everything in me not to bring him home. My question is, if I'm going to go with an animal like that, do you guys think I'm better off going to a reptile expo or a breeder rather than a regular pet shop? I mean, of course that's probably better, but I need you to tell me it's better so I don't come home with a snake tomorrow just because he was pretty!!! And also, if anyone has played keeper to such a magical animal, I welcome any tips!

[dannybgoode]

I don't know the locality specifically but know a man who does so will ask him any specific requirements.

As a general rule all scrubs want you dead, they are incredibly alert intelligent animals and only to be treated with the utmost respect. From memory tanimbar are one of the smaller localities but will check for sure as some scrubs are monsters!

[TeamSlitherin]

I don't know the locality specifically but know a man who does so will ask him any specific requirements.

As a general rule all scrubs want you dead, they are incredibly alert intelligent animals and only to be treated with the utmost respect. From memory tanimbar are one of the smaller localities but will check for sure as some scrubs are monsters!

Thank you, Danny!!

The information I find online is sparse and somewhat conflicting. Any online breeder I have found who has a "Tanimbar Amethystine Python" lists the species as Morelia Amethistina. However, when researching the localities of the complex of scrub species, Tanimbar locality scrubs are cited as Morelia Nauta. And there is, as you mentioned, a huge size difference. (Some websites say they get 10-15 feet, some say 15-20, and some say 5-7. How is there this much confusion?!) This sounds like a good excuse to attend my first expo and just speak with a breeder firsthand. I love surprises, but not the kind that unexpectedly turn into a 20 foot snake with an attitude:laugh:

[dave himself]

I think 5 to 7 feet would be closer to the actual size mate I believe they're a dwarf locality. A bit nippy on it but then I've only ever seen one first hand :D

[dannybgoode]

I'm reasonably confident that tanimbar = Nauta which do stay around the 7' mark. I have Morelia amethystina which generally don't get much bigger than 10-12' although exceptions apply.

Morelia kinghornii are the true monsters and can top 16-20'.

Truly stunning snakes all of them

[bigsnakegirl785]

Scrubbies are under the genus Simalia now, unfortunately I don't know much about their care/size, but they are a pretty species.

[Louv44]

Scrubs aren't mean animals they just don't tolerate anything that bothers them lol. It's a snake for someone with snake experience for sure someone who knows snake very very well that can read there body language and mood. It's a snake that should be handled even a little weekly to keep it more tolerant. Can't ignore it or it may get more prone to get made when handled so make sure you have free time for one.

[dannybgoode]

Scrubbies are under the genus Simalia now, unfortunately I don't know much about their care/size, but they are a pretty species.

Some are under Simalia some are still under Morelia but I'm not sure which species have been reclassified. Kinghornii and amethystina are still Morelia for certain and yes I think Nauta are now Similia.

There is a good number of species of scrubs and whilst their care is broadly similar differences apply.

All are arboreal by nature - even 16'+ kinghornii can be found high in the canopy and all need reasonable humidity. They therefore need height and of course if one of the larger species length and depth to the viv. Mine will get 8*3*3 vivs when they're ready for them.

I'll drop my friend a message about specific requirements of Nauta as they won't need something quite that large!

[dannybgoode]

Here's the basis from my friend. He keeps pretty much all the scrub localities.

---
Basically same as the other scrubs. 4x3x2ft for an adult male. Spray reasonably - they like humidity.

Temps between 24-30 summer, dropping to 20-22 in the winter (less important of not breeding.
---

So pretty easy to keep. They are small (for a scrub still 7' mind) fast snakes that won't hesitate to defend - particularly in the viv. Temperaments vary across individuals though.

Lovely snakes - really enjoying mine. Super intelligent, super alert.

[dannybgoode]

And my apologies to BSG - you are quite right. All scrubs have indeed been reclassified Simalia, even kinghornii and amethystina.

[TeamSlitherin]

Guuuuuys. I went in to the shop today on the off-chance they'd let me hold him. I was super bummed that he was in shed, but as soon as I started asking questions, they pulled him out anyway. I felt bad, because I know they shouldn't have done that for me, but I definitely wasn't going to say no to that. I am IN LOVE with this little one. He's a bit bigger than I initially thought, but the store associate said he's got a relatively calm disposition. I got tagged twice in a very short time, but to be fair, that's what I get for holding a shedding scrub. Will post photos when I feel less annoyed with how difficult they are to post ;)

[dannybgoode]

Guuuuuys. I went in to the shop today on the off-chance they'd let me hold him. I was super bummed that he was in shed, but as soon as I started asking questions, they pulled him out anyway. I felt bad, because I know they shouldn't have done that for me, but I definitely wasn't going to say no to that. I am IN LOVE with this little one. He's a bit bigger than I initially thought, but the store associate said he's got a relatively calm disposition. I got tagged twice in a very short time, but to be fair, that's what I get for holding a shedding scrub. Will post photos when I feel less annoyed with how difficult they are to post ;)

Don't worry. He'll get you when not in shed too. :Do

Look forward to pictures. Would be good to have another scrub owner on here.

[bigsnakegirl785]

And my apologies to BSG - you are quite right. All scrubs have indeed been reclassified Simalia, even kinghornii and amethystina.

Glad to hear, I was about to worry I misread something somewhere. lol

Scrubs sound a lot like retics, except I'm sure they're a little more feisty since they aren't as well-established in captivity yet.

[dannybgoode]

Glad to hear, I was about to worry I misread something somewhere. lol

Scrubs sound a lot like retics, except I'm sure they're a little more feisty since they aren't as well-established in captivity yet.

They are faster than retics so can strike 2 of 3 times in the space a retic could strike once. They can also strike with accuracy over incredible distances - 5' or so with barely a hint of getting ready for it.

Build wise they probably have half the girth of a retic but similar strength and power. In essence they are very quick intelligent retics.

Some are absolutely fine to handle as well - I'm pleased to have mine from babies so I can learn their moods and tells. Some are more difficult to outright nasty. It's a case of knowing your localities as well as some will get very long indeed.

[TeamSlitherin]

Look at that face!!!

37187


Shedding, but still cute!

37188

Love at first bite, I guess!

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Totally thought he was coming in for a nuzzle...guess not ;)

37190

[dannybgoode]

Beautiful snake. Are you going to get him?

They are extraordinary snakes. My pair

http://www.dannybower.co.uk/photos/Stamp1.jpg
http://www.dannybower.co.uk/photos/Squish1.jpg

[TeamSlitherin]

Beautiful snake. Are you going to get him?

They are extraordinary snakes. My pair

http://www.dannybower.co.uk/photos/Stamp1.jpg
http://www.dannybower.co.uk/photos/Squish1.jpg

They are truly stunning. Stampy Cat is, hands down, my favorite snake on the forum! I really want him. But there is a reptile convention coming up in 10 days or so. I've never been and I thought it would be a good opportunity to shop around as well. I like him alot, but he's also the only scrub I've ever seen in person! So, I'm thinking it would be best to take it slow and see what catches my eye at the show. We are going to be forever-friends, after all.

[dannybgoode]

They are truly stunning. Stampy Cat is, hands down, my favorite snake on the forum! I really want him. But there is a reptile convention coming up in 10 days or so. I've never been and I thought it would be a good opportunity to shop around as well. I like him alot, but he's also the only scrub I've ever seen in person! So, I'm thinking it would be best to take it slow and see what catches my eye at the show. We are going to be forever-friends, after all.

If you have the money and really want a scrub then Dan Mulleary of DM Exotics would be my go to. You may or may not see one at the convention - they're not all that common. Dan has interesting stock in and will advise on locality, temperament etc.

That nauta is very pretty though - how much are they asking for it out of interest.

As to my pair there are already noticeable differences in behaviour. She is much more edgy - always ready to strike and will suddenly darts off. Open her tub (still in quarantine) and she is out straight away to check out what's going on. She strike feeds without hesitation.

He is more timid, open the viv and he'll stay hidden. Remove his hide and he stays curled up - get him out and he'll tolerate handling but he's more nervous. He tends to only drop feed as well. He'll sometimes strike but more often than not he prefers for the rat to be left. He is currently a good bit smaller as well.

I'll get a couple more feeds in as they currently are then start pushing them along a bit. Their growth is rapid so need to keep up food wise without overdoing it.

[toddnbecka]

Unlikely you'll find a scrub at a reptile show, they simply aren't very common. The size of the nauta is good, but I prefer calmer critters, or at least that don't bite when handled. My IJ carpet was a holy terror as a hatchling, struck at literally anything that moved, but she calmed down and grew out of that.
I'm looking for a pair of savu or maybe mackloti, CBB generally have better dispositions than scrubs, and easier on the bank account as well.

[dannybgoode]

Unlikely you'll find a scrub at a reptile show, they simply aren't very common. The size of the nauta is good, but I prefer calmer critters, or at least that don't bite when handled. My IJ carpet was a holy terror as a hatchling, struck at literally anything that moved, but she calmed down and grew out of that.
I'm looking for a pair of savu or maybe mackloti, CBB generally have better dispositions than scrubs, and easier on the bank account as well.

A lot of scrubs do chill out completely. Calm confident handling is the key and you just don't stick your hand in the viv before assessing the situation each time for example. I know plenty of people who handle theirs with no issues.

That said most are extremely viv defensive making even simple things like sorting water bowls potentially tricky. And of course the odd one remains very difficult.

Out of the viv they generally calm down. To counter though they are such alert snakes, so fascinating to observe that ownership can be quite alluring - addictive even as I'm finding out! But yes they are a challenge and not for everyone.

Can I say I'm 100% confident I'll be able to manage them? Actually no - but I've gone into ownership eyes wide open. Spoke to a number of people before committing and would not have entertained taking on an adult. Even the experience people I've spoken to have said that they are extremely cautious when dealing with someone else's scrubs. I have also sourced CB is a few generations old - in fact they're from one of the oldest captive lines and the parents are ok temperament wise.

As an aside my IJ was a pussycat from day one and remains a very calm snake and in a way I wish he has been more feisty to gain some experience. But then I'm getting that from Mrs Olive and the scrubs whilst they're babies.

You do make some excellent alternative suggestions though. Mackloti are incredible snakes as are Savu. I actually have the chance on a Savu pair but they are just a bit pricey. Olivaceous - if you can find them - can be added to the list.

But that said, scrubs are something else. Nothing quite like them.

[TeamSlitherin]

Good to know! I had actually been looking at Dan's clutch of beauties. His web page has been pulled up on my computer for days, in fact, as I've been scouring the internet for breeders in Southern California. Good to know I'm looking in the right direction!

They are asking $375 for the nauta, which seems about normal from what I can tell? He's not as small as I thought he was, but I forgot to ask about age. The disadvantage to buying from a pet store is that there are many questions they likely can't answer. The associate was very helpful, though, and pulled him out for me to get a better look. He said the little guy has a good disposition for a scrub, just very curious and ultra-alert. He came right to me to figure out who the monster was that kept sticking her face near his viv! Fearless little bugger.

They move so differently than any snake I've handled before. I guess rather similar to a carpet (I test-drove a cute IJ before I decided on my Dumi). Even when he tagged me, it wasn't like a usual snake strike. It was like he went to rub his face on my hand with an open mouth:rolleyes: Weird.

Still, I think even with 2 bites in under a minute, I left the place with an unrelenting smile. Is that what love is? Do I have the strength to wait till after the show? These are my first world problems.

[dannybgoode]

$375 sounds fair. I paid around $500 each for mine but then they're from an exceptional line. They are one of the few snakes week appear to have cognitive thought - even when it comes to biting it sometimes seems considered as opposed to merely an instinctive defensive action.

As T&B says you're unlikely to see any at the convention but then there's always Dan. If I were your side of the pond it's where I'd be spending my money.

And no - once the scrub but bites it's difficult to go back. I keep looking at other localities but (un) luckily I can't house any more anyway so window shopping it is.