1.	Small or fragmented head scales	2
–	Large, well-developed head scales	4
2.	Midbody scale rows fewer than 75, subcaudal scale counts fewer than 50	3
–	Midbody scale rows more than 75, subcaudal scale counts more than 60	Python natalensis
3.	Ventral scale counts fewer than 210, subcaudals fewer than 38	Python regius
–	Ventral scale counts more than 250, subcaudals more than 46	Python anchietae
4.	Ventral scale counts fewer than 200	5
–	Ventral scale counts more than 200	7
5.	Ventral scale counts fewer than 167	6
–	Ventral scale counts more than 167	Python brongersmai
6.	Anterior pair of parietals not in contact or are only weakly contacting	Python curtus
–	Anterior pair of parietals in broad contact at the medial structure	Python breitensteini
7.	Dorsal midbody scale rows fewer than 75	8
–	Dorsal midbody scale rows more than 75	Python sebae
8.	Suboculars absent	9
–	Suboculars present, separating the supralabials from the orbit	10
9.	Two preoculars present, subcaudals 66–70	Python molurus molurus
–	Three preoculars present, subcaudals 57–65	Python molurus pimbura
	(Additional diagnostic information: longitudinal pink marking above the eyes, fewer dark blotches that also invade the ventral scutes)
10.	Pale centered saddles, pale-centered brown blotches	Python bivittatus bivittatus
	(Additional diagnostic information: attains larger size up to 5m in length)
–	Prevalent saddles with pale margins, increased incidence of ocellic blotches (more molurus-like)	Python bivittatus progschai
	(Additional diagnostic information: does not exceed 2.5 m in total length)