Taxonomic notes: Section empty

This species occurs in Australia from north-west Northern Territory across to Cape York Peninsula in Queensland (Wilson and Swan 2003). However, its presence is not confirmed from the east coast of Cape York (K. Sanders pers. comm. 2008). The geographic distribution expands in the wet season in Australia (Shine and Lambeck 1985). It is found in south-east Papua Province at Merauke, Noord (= Lorentz) and Mimika river, Indonesian New Guinea. In Papua New Guinea it has been recorded throughout the Trans-Fly and Strickland river system, and at Lake Daviumbo, Lake Murray, Bensbach, Morehead, Binaturi, Pahoturi, Oriomo, Aramia river and Balimo in Western Province (O’Shea 1996).

This appears to be a common species within permanently flooded parts of its range. A study of the population dynamics of A. arafurae in northern Australia surveyed over 3,400 snakes over a four-year period (Houston and Shine 1994). Using mark-recapture methods, snake densities were estimated to be greater than 400 individuals per hectare in the main study area, a higher density than usually found for most species of snake.

In Australia this species occurs in freshwater habitats particularly pandanus-lined lagoons, sheltered riverbanks, and floodplains associated with major drainage systems connected to the Arafura sea (Wilson and Swan 2003).  In Papua New Guinea this species occurs in slow-moving freshwater rivers, lakes and swamps, including isolated ponds, which are reached during monsoon floods, and also occasionally in brackish or inshore marine situations (O’Shea 1996). It is often associated with waterbodies with muddy bottoms.

Females of this species produce between 11 and 25 live young every two to three years. It is largely nocturnal and entirely aquatic. It feeds exclusively on fish of many species including rainbow fish (Melanotaenia spp.), Long-toms (Strongylurus kreffh), Eel-tail Catfish, Barramundi and Sleepy Cod, which it immobilises by constriction. 
This species is an obligate aquatic live-bearing snake. Copulation takes place and the females store the sperm, three months after ovulation the female gives birth. Filesnakes are able to reproduce sexually as observed in the wild, but can choose to reproduce parthenogenically at certain times when needed to ensure survival of an individual's genotype (Dubach and Sajewicz 1997).

In Australia sudden shifts in habitat characteristics caused by seasonal changes initiates major changes to the activity patterns and home ranges of many species of native fauna. The rapid development of extensive shallow-water habitat induces a major increase in movements and home range sizes of aquatic taxa such as acrochordid filesnakes (Brown et al. 2005)A trade-off between energy allocation to growth verses reproduction has been evident in both sexes of this species. Growth rates decrease after maturation in males, and female filesnakes grow more slowly during years when they reproduce (Houston and Shine, 1994). Females are generally larger than the males. In Australia, reproduction is seasonal, with ovulation around July and parturition five or six months later (Shine et al. 1986a, 1986b).

In Australia, acrochordids are important traditional food items for Aboriginal people in many areas. It has been recorded that Aboriginal hunters tend to selectively harvest reproductive female snakes. This type of harvesting does not present a significant threat to populations this species (Houston and Shine 1994). 

Numerous attempts have been made both by zoos and private reptile collectors to keep this species in captivity, but in most cases, they have been reluctant to feed and are prone to skin infections.

The skin of this species is used on kundu drums in the Western Province. In Papua New Guinea such a limited use of skins for village drums is unlikely to affect local populations provided they are not produced in excessive commercial numbers for export (O’Shea 1996). In Papua New Guinea, there is some very limited use of this species for food.

It is unlikely that any major threats are impacting this species. In Australia, it is seasonally vulnerable to hand-collecting in large numbers with large reproductively active females being targeted (Shine et al. 1986a, 1986b).

• 5.4.1 Intentional use: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest]

There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for this species. The harvest of this species should be monitored as over collection could result in localised population declines. There is currently no quota or limits on numbers collected. It is likely present in a number of protected areas (e.g. Tonda protected area in Papua New Guinea, and Lorentz River National Park, Papua).

Acrochordus arafurae has been assessed as Least Concern. It has a relatively wide range in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is abundant in its range, is not affected by any major threats.

• Brown, G. P., R. Shine, T. Madsen. 2005. Spatial ecology of slatey-grey snakes (Stegonotus cucullatus, Colubridae) on a tropical Australian floodplain. Journal of Tropical Ecology 21: 605-612.
• Cameron, E. E. and H. G. Cogger. 1992. The herpetofauna of the Weipa Region, Cape York Peninsula. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum 7: 1-200.
• Cogger, H. 1994. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed Books, Chatswood, NSW.
• Dubach, J. and A. Sajewicz. 1997. Parthenogenesis in the Arafuran filesnake (Acrochordus arafurae). Herpetological Natural History 5(1): 11-18.
• Guinea, M.L. 2007. Marine Snakes: Species Profile for the North-western Planning Area. Report for the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT.
• Guinea, M.L. and Whiting, S.D. 2005. Insights into the distribution and abundance of sea snakes at Ashmore Reef. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 21: 199-205.
• Houston, D. and Shine, R. 1994. Low growth rates and delayed maturation in Arafura filesnakes (Serpentes: Acrochordidae) in tropical Australia. Copeia 3: 736-731.
• Houston, D. and Shine, R. 1994. Population demography of Arafura filesnakes (Serpentes:Acrochordidae) in tropical Australia. Journal of Herpetology 28(3): 273-280.
• O'Shea, M. 1996. A Guide to the Snakes of Papua New Guinea. Independent Publishing, Independent Group Ltd., Port Moresby, PNG.
• Shine, R. 1986a. Predation upon filesnakes (Acrochordus arafurae) by aboriginal hunters: selectivity with respect to size, sex and reproductive condition. Copeia 1886: 238-239.
• Shine, R. 1986b. Sexual differences in morphology and niche utilization in an aquatic snake ( Acrochordus arafurae). Oecologia (Berlin) 69: 260-267.
• Shine, R. and Lambeck, R. 1985. A radiotelemetric study of movements, thermoregulation and habitat utilization of Arafura filesnakes (Serpentes: Acrochordidae). Journal of Thermal Biology 15: 301-305.
• Wilson, S. and Swan, G. 2003. A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. New Holland, Sydney.