Stimson's Python - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Antaresia stimsoni

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

A small off-white to pale brown python, with darker brown blotches extending from the head down the body. A pale lower lateral stripe occurs along the anterior part of the body. The under side is whitish.

Distribution

Occurs in north-west NSW, from Bourke and Gundabooka National Park in the east to Broken Hill and Wilcannia in the south.

Habitat and ecology

A terrestrial and semi-arboreal species that inhabits a wide range of arid and semi-arid environments including rock outcrops, sandy plains and dunefields where it is associated with larger trees and termite mounds.
The species occupies a broad spectrum of habitats includes woodlands, shrublands (including Acacia and chenopods) and hummock grasslands, where rocky outcrops provide caves and deep crevices and where tree-lined watercourses provide numerous low hollows and fallen trees.
They forage at night with adults feeding on small mammals (especially bats), birds, geckoes and other lizards, whilst juveniles take geckoes and skinks.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Fragmentation, resulting from clearing or degradation of the habitat has reduced genetic variability and reproductive opportunities and has increased genetic isolation and the potential for significant impacts arising from stochatic events such as drought or fire.
Degradation of the habitat, as a result of inappropriate grazing or fire regimes, has resulted in changes to the physical nature of the habitat, for example change in diversity and structure of floristics or invertebrates. Changes to the habitat may result in it being unsuitable for the species or may increase other threatening processes such as predation.
Fire may cause the direct loss of individuals, and inappropriate fire regimes may cause long-term changes to physical features such as floristic structure or leaf litter, which is unfavourable to sustaining a viable population of the species.
Predation by foxes or cats, particularly where populations have already declined.
Catastrophic events such as drought or extensive wildfire.
Hunting or illegal collection, although infrequent, is likely to cause a significant impact where populations are isolated of low in numbers.
Anthropogenic climate change is a long term significant threat as it will alter physical characteristics of the habitat such that it is no longer able to sustain a viable population.
Loss of critical roost or breeding features such as tree hollows, standing and fallen timber.
Ripping or blasting of warrens, which destroys refuges or results in the direct loss of individuals.
Lack of knowledge on the species threats and management requirements in NSW.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Control of vertebrate pest populations e.g. foxes and cats. However, avoid ripping or blasting rabbit warrens in areas of suitable habitat.
Instil appropriate fire regime so as to not burn all habitat and food sources within a region at one time, and to promote natural succession.
Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, food sources or nest sites.
Restrict cultivation around suitable ground habitat.
Retention of grasslands, including the full cycle of grass development such a seed set and tussock formation.
Retention of stick and leaf litter for food and shelter.
Retention of understorey shrubs.
Retain hollows (including protection of existing mature trees), plant native hollow producing species, ensure that at least some trees are always left to grow to maturity.
Retain fallen logs as habitat, including logs embedded in the soil and hollow logs.
Maintain exfoliating and soil surface rocks in the area of concern.
Maintain Triodia (spinifex or porcupine grass) in the area.
Fence riparian vegetation to prevent grazing and erosion of stream banks.
Prevent clearing of habitat such as nesting sites and food sources.
Revegetation of riparian vegetation in gullies and along stream banks where vegetation has been cleared, widen the strip of riparian vegetation.
Limit access for collectors and ensure that they have the appropriate licences for collecting this species.

Information sources

Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
McDonald, P.J., Luck, G.W., Wassens, S. and Pavey, C.R. (2011) Ecology of Stimson’s python (Antaresia stimsoni) in the MacDonnell Ranges of central Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 59: 95-102
Swan, G. and Foster, R. (2005) The reptiles and amphibians of Mutawintji National Park, Western New South Wales. Australian Zoologist 33(1): 39-48
Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Scopes Range	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Canbelego Downs	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Menindee	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Wilcannia Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Kerribree Basin	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None

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Nature conservation

Threatened species