simalia boeleni

{{Speciesbox

| image = Boelen Python 01.jpg

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Tallowin, O. |author2=O'Shea, M. |author3=Parker, F. |date=2018 |title=Simalia boeleni |volume=2018 |page=e.T42494046A42494055 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T42494046A42494055.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}

| genus = Simalia

| species = boeleni

| authority = (Brongersma, 1953)

| synonyms = * Liasis boeleni
{{small|Brongersma, 1953}}

Liasis taronga
{{small|Worrell, 1958}}
Liasis boeleni
{{small|— Stimson, 1969}}
Python boeleni
{{small|— McDowell, 1975}}
Morelia boeleni
{{small|— Underwood & Stimson, 1990}}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).
Simalia boeleni
{{small|— Reynolds et al., 2014}}

}}

Simalia boeleni is a species of python, a nonvenomous snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is endemic to the mountains of New Guinea. No subspecies are recognized.{{NRDB species|genus=Simalia |species=boeleni |accessdate=20 October 2015}}{{ITIS |id=634776|taxon=Morelia boeleni |accessdate=20 October 2015}} Its common names include Boelen's pythonMehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. {{ISBN|0-8069-6460-X}}. and the black python.

File:Boelen's.jpg

Etymology

The specific name, boeleni, is in honor of K.W.J. Boelen, M.D., who collected the holotype specimen.Brongersma, 1953. p. 317.Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (Morelia boeleni, p. 29).

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 change begins as the juvenile snake approaches {{convert|1|m|in|abbr=on}} in length, usually around 2 years of age. Adults may be up to {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length (including tail).{{cite web|url=http://www.boelenspythons.com/naturalhistory/description.html|title=Description of Natural History and Geography By Marc A. Spataro|website=www.boelenspythons.com|access-date=29 August 2016|archive-date=24 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624161616/http://www.boelenspythons.com/naturalhistory/description.html|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web |last1=Spataro |first1=Marc |title=Natural History |url=http://www.boelenspythons.com/naturalhistory/description.html |website=Boelens Python Group |accessdate=27 February 2019 |archive-date=23 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223055933/http://www.boelenspythons.com/naturalhistory/description.html |url-status=dead }}

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.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Geographic range

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).{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

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].

Habitat

S. boeleni inhabits forested montane regions at elevations of {{convert|1,000|-|2,000|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It is generally encountered on the forest floor, but is also reckoned to be an able climber.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Diet

The diet of S. boeleni consists of small mammals, ground-nesting birds, and lizards.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Captivity

S. boeleni is considered to be highly desirable by private keepers due to its beauty, but is also exceptionally rare in collections.{{cite web|url=http://www.boelenspythons.com/home.html|title=The Boelen's Python Group WELCOME|website=www.boelenspythons.com|access-date=3 March 2011|archive-date=8 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708080544/http://www.boelenspythons.com/home.html|url-status=dead}} Although captive-born snakes are fairly hardy in captivity,{{cite web|url=http://www.boelenspythons.com/captivemanagement/hatchlingssubadults.html|title=HATCHLINGS/SUB-ADULTS By Marc A. Spataro|website=www.boelenspythons.com|access-date=3 March 2011|archive-date=8 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708080549/http://www.boelenspythons.com/captivemanagement/hatchlingssubadults.html|url-status=dead}} wild-caught individuals are considerably more difficult to keep successfully.{{cite web|url=http://www.boelenspythons.com/captivemanagement/wildcaughts.html|title=ACCLIMATING WILD-CAUGHTS By Marc A. Spataro|website=www.boelenspythons.com|access-date=3 March 2011|archive-date=8 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708080658/http://www.boelenspythons.com/captivemanagement/wildcaughts.html|url-status=dead}} Captive breeding is exceedingly rare, and the conditions necessary are still unclear.{{cite web|url=http://www.boelenspythons.com/reproduction/index.html|title=Morelia boeleni Captive Reproduction By Marc A. Spataro|website=www.boelenspythons.com|access-date=3 March 2011|archive-date=8 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708080704/http://www.boelenspythons.com/reproduction/index.html|url-status=dead}} Many specific strategies have been employed to attempt to get these rare snakes to breed.{{cite web |last1=Spataro |first1=Marc |title=Reproductive Strategies |url=http://www.boelenspythons.com/reproduction/reproductionstrategies.html |website=Boelen's Python Group |access-date=27 February 2019 |archive-date=23 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223025942/http://www.boelenspythons.com/reproduction/reproductionstrategies.html |url-status=dead }}

File:Boelen's_Python_egg.jpg