Simalia boeleni

Simalia boeleni is a species of python, a nonvenomous snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is endemic to the mountains of New Guinea.[1][4] No subspecies are currently recognized.[3][5]

Two coiled-up Boelen's pythons in captivity at San Diego Zoo.

Simalia boeleni
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Simalia
Species:
S. boeleni
Binomial name
Simalia boeleni
(Brongersma, 1953)
Synonyms
  • Liasis boeleni
    Brongersma, 1953
  • Liasis taronga
    Worrell, 1958
  • Liasis boeleni
    — Stimson, 1969
  • Python boeleni
    — McDowell, 1975
  • Morelia boeleni
    — Underwood & Stimson, 1990[2]
  • Simalia boeleni
    — Reynolds et al., 2014[3]
Common names: Boelen's python,[1][4] black python.[1][3]

Etymology

The specific name, boeleni, is in honor of K.W.J. Boelen, M.D., who collected the holotype specimen.[6][7]

Description

In S. boeleni adults, the upperside color pattern is dark bluish-black or purplish-black, and the anterior part of the underside is white to pale yellow. The white extends up the flanks as a series of streaks. The upper and lower lips are also patterned with pale or whitish labial scales. The black portions are commonly iridescent with an oil-slick-like sheen. The body is stocky and the head large. Neonates are predominantly red upon emerging from the egg. Gradual black pigmentation presents itself as the neonate grows and sheds. Ontogenetic color charge begins as the juvenile snake approaches 1 m (39 in) in length, usually around 2 years of age. Adults may be up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in total length (including tail).[8]

Conservation status

The unmistakable and famed Boelen's python receives the highest legal protection possible in Papua New Guinea. It is currently listed on CITES Appendix II. It is difficult to truly assess the conservation status of these snakes, as they are incredibly secretive and difficult to find in the wild.[9]

Common names

Locally, S. boeleni is also known as the blu moran or papa graun. Within Indonesia, it has several names depending on which language is used. The common Indonesian names of this snake are sanca hitam, sanca bulan, piton hitam, and ular buleni.

Distribution and habitat

S. boeleni is found in Indonesia (Western New Guinea in the Paniai Lakes region) and Papua New Guinea (the provinces of Eastern Highlands, Central and Morobe, and Goodenough Island).

The type locality given is "Dimija (3[°] 56' S, 136[°] 18' E), Wissel Lakes, Dutch New Guinea, about 1750 m (5700 feet) above sea-level" [Western New Guinea, Indonesia].[2]

The species inhabits forested montane regions of over 1,000 m (3,300 ft) elevation. It is generally encountered on the forest floor, but is also reckoned to be an able climber.

Diet

The diet of S. boeleni consists of mammals, lizards, and birds.

Captivity

S. boeleni is considered to be highly desirable by private keepers due to its beauty, but is also exceptionally rare in collections.[10] Although captive-born snakes are fairly hardy in captivity,[11] wild-caught individuals are considerably more difficult to keep successfully.[12] Captive breeding is exceedingly rare, and the conditions necessary are still unclear.[13] Many specific strategies have been employed to attempt to get these rare snakes to breed.[14]

References
  1. Tallowin, O.; O'Shea, M.; Parker, F. (2018). "Simalia boeleni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T42494046A42494055. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T42494046A42494055.en. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  2. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. Simalia boeleni at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 20 October 2015.
  4. Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  5. "Morelia boeleni ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  6. Brongersma, 1953. p. 317.
  7. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Morelia boeleni, p. 29).
  8. "Description of Natural History and Geography By Marc A. Spataro". www.boelenspythons.com.
  9. Spataro, Mark. "Natural History". Boelens Python Group. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  10. "The Boelen's Python Group WELCOME". www.boelenspythons.com.
  11. "HATCHLINGS/SUB-ADULTS By Marc A. Spataro". www.boelenspythons.com.
  12. "ACCLIMATING WILD-CAUGHTS By Marc A. Spataro". www.boelenspythons.com.
  13. "Morelia boeleni Captive Reproduction By Marc A. Spataro". www.boelenspythons.com.
  14. Spataro, Mark. "Reproductive Strategies". Boelen's Python Group.

Further reading
  • Flagle, Ari R.; Stoops, Erik D. (2009). Black python: Morelia boeleni. (Contributions to Natural History, Vol. 26). Frankfurt: Chimaira Buchhandelsgesellschaft mbh. 160 pp. ISBN 9783930612864.
  • Brongersma LD (1953). "Zoology Notes on New Guinean Reptiles and Amphibians II". Proc. Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen, Amsterdam (Series C) 56: 317–325. (Liasis boeleni , new species, p. 317.)
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