Tanimbar Amethystine

TeamSlitherin · 07-27-17, 02:59 AM

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 · 07-27-17, 04:02 AM

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 · 07-27-17, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

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

dave himself · 07-27-17, 04:55 AM

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

dannybgoode · 07-27-17, 05:05 AM

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 · 07-27-17, 04:27 PM

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

Louv44 · 07-28-17, 12:43 AM

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 · 07-28-17, 01:20 AM

Quote:

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 · 07-30-17, 01:21 PM

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 · 07-30-17, 01:42 PM

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

bigsnakegirl785 · 07-31-17, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

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 · 08-01-17, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

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 · 07-31-17, 08:54 PM

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 · 07-31-17, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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

o

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

TeamSlitherin · 08-02-17, 01:04 AM

Look at that face!!!

rsz_1tanimbar.jpg

Shedding, but still cute!

rsz_tanimbar2.jpg

Love at first bite, I guess!

rsz_tanimbartag.jpg

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

rsz_tanimbartag2.jpg