The Pythons of the Daintree Rainforest

The Pythons of the Daintree Rainforest

Written by: Cameron Ward

Published: 03/23/2016

Reading time: 3 mins

Australia is well known for its dangerous collection of animals – from sharks and poisonous spiders to huge bugs and venomous snakes.

The latter are some of the more easily found creatures, particularly in wetland areas like the Daintree Rainforest. In the Northern Territory of Australia, there are plenty of snakes and pythons to be found if you look hard enough. Most of them are harmless, though there are a few that can grow to incredible lengths. It is important to stay vigilant at all times, as some species can be highly venomous.

Let’s take a look at some of the better-known pythons that reside in the Daintree Rainforest.

  • The Amethystine Python

    These pythons are the king of the jungle, as they can grow up to a whopping 8.5 metres in length. It is known as an Amethystine Python because, from certain angles it displays an Amethyst shimmer over it body – particularly when it is caught in sunlight. Though it is a long python, it is not particularly chunky, so it is unable to kill larger animals. Amethystine Pythons are recognisable by the series of heat-sensitive pits around their jaws and the tortoise-like platelets on their heads. They tend to be a greeny-brown colour, but in sunlight the scales can turn blue or purple depending on the angle. They thrive in the Daintree Rainforest because of its tropical atmosphere and its huge collection of vines.

  • The Green Tree Python

    Another popular sight in the Daintree Rainforest is the Green Tree Python. These bright green snakes are unusual to look at, with a stripe of white making them stand out in the undergrowth. However, they are much smaller than the Amethystine Pythons, and only grow to around 2 metres in adulthood. They spend most of their time alone and curled around the branches of trees, or in bushes and shrubs. Green Tree Pythons aren’t venomous, but they eat small mammals and other reptiles.

  • Jungle Carpet Python

    Then there’s the Jungle Carpet Python which boasts a similar colouring to the Amethystine Pythons. They can grow to between 6 and 8 metres, so these aren’t small snakes. Tropical scenery is ideal for them to thrive in, and they live off small rodents, lizards, birds, and bats. Though these are the main python species found in the Daintree Rainforest, you might stumble across some others, like Water Pythons or Spotted Pythons. Keep your eyes peeled for these magnificent creatures when you’re in the area.

Cameron Ward
Cameron Ward
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.