Olive python

The olive python (Liasis olivaceus)[2] is a species of snake in the family Pythonidae. The species
is endemic to Australia. Two subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies
described here.[3]

Description

With adults reaching over 4 m (13 ft) in total length (including the tail), L. olivaceus is Australia's
third-largest snake species (surpassed only by the amethystine python and Oenpelli python). Its
high number of dorsal scale rows (61–72 at midbody), makes the skin look smoother than that
of other pythons. The number of ventral scales is 355–377.[2] The colour pattern is a uniform
chocolate brown to olive green, while the belly is usually cream-coloured.[4] The adult weight is
typically 10–20 kilograms (22–44 lb), and a large female can exceed 20 kilograms (44 lb) in
captivity.[5]

Unfortunately, this species is occasionally confused with the venomous king brown snake,
Pseudechis australis, and may be mistakenly killed based on the misidentification.[2]

Distribution

L. olivaceus is found in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. The type
locality given is "North Australia; Port Essington" (Northern Territory, Australia).[1]

Habitat

The olive python occurs in rocky areas, gorges, and especially rocky areas near sources of water.
Typically, shelter is sought in caves and rock crevices, but individuals have also been found in
hollow logs and burrows under rocks.[2]

Diet

The diet of L. olivaceus consists of birds (ducks and spinifex pigeons), mammals (including rock
wallabies and fruit bats), and other reptiles.[2] It prefers to lie in wait next to an animal trail to
ambush its prey. Alternatively, it is a strong swimmer and also hunts in waterholes, striking at
prey from under the water.[4]

It is also known to prey on monitor lizards and juvenile crocodiles ([Link]

hotos/2014/03/03/[Link]) .[6]
Reproduction Olive python

Mating activity of olive pythons starts in May and

continues until mid-July. When successful, this is
followed by a gestation period of 81–85 days, after
which the oviparous female lays 12–40 eggs in late
spring.[4] The average clutch size is around 19 eggs.[2]
The hatchlings emerge after an incubation period
around 50 days, each measuring about 35 cm in
length.[4]

Subspecies

Taxon Common Conservation status

Subspecies[3] Geographic range[5]
author[3] name[2]
L.A. Pilbara Australia in the
L. o. barroni Smith, olive Pilbara region of
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
1981 python Western Australia
Australia from the Scientific classification
Kimberley region in
common Domain: Eukaryota
L. o. Gray, Western Australia to
olive
olivaceus 1842 the area around Kingdom: Animalia
python
Mount Isa in
Phylum: Chordata
Queensland

Class: Reptilia
Captivity Order: Squamata

The olive python is often kept as a pet and is bred in Suborder: Serpentes
captivity. It is technically an advanced-level species
Family: Pythonidae
due to its size, habitat requirements, and strong
feeding response, requiring a terrarium of a minimum Genus: Liasis
of 2.4 metres (8 ft) long, by 1 metre (3 ft) high and 1
metre (3 ft) wide. If raised properly, it is noted to be Species: L. olivaceus

friendly, curious, and calm. In removing it from its Binomial name

enclosure, snake hooks be used so as to prevent the
feeding response from being triggered, and once out, it Liasis olivaceus
Gray, 1842
can generally be freely handled calmly due to its placid
nature.[7]

Images

Distribution of the olive python

Synonyms[1]

Liasis olivacea
Gray, 1842
Close-up of head and scales
Liasis olivaceus
— A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1842

Liasis olivaceus
— Boulenger, 1893

Liasis olivaceus olivaceus

— Stull, 1935

Liasi olivaceo
— F. Werner, 1936

Bothrochilus olivaceus
— H.G. Cogger, Cameron &
H.M. Cogger, 1983

Lisalia olivaceus
— Wells & Wellington, 1984

Lisalia olivacea
— Wells & Wellington, 1985

Morelia olivacea
— Underwood & Stimson, 1990

Liasis olivaceus
— H.G. Cogger, 1992

Liasis olivaceus olivaceus

— D. Barker & T. Barker, 1994
References

1. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T (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).

2. Olive python, Liasis olivaceus ([Link] Archived ([Link]

[Link]/web/20150924073244/[Link] 24
September 2015 at the Wayback Machine at Pilbara Pythons ([Link]
Archived ([Link] 18 December
2014 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 4 August 2008.

3. "Liasis olivaceus" ([Link]

634774) . Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 August 2008.

4. Olive Python ([Link]

Archived ([Link]
ent/[Link]?name=OlivePython) 24 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine at Currumbin
Wildlife Sanctuary ([Link] Archived ([Link]
20071024170031/[Link] 24 October 2007 at the Wayback
Machine. Accessed 4 August 2008.

5. Captive maintenance and breeding of olive python ([Link]

Archived ([Link]
ml) 4 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine at Victorian Herpetological Society ([Link]
au/pages/[Link]) Archived ([Link]
au/pages/[Link]) 18 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 4 August 2008.

6. "Snake vs crocodile: A dramatic showdown - ABC (none) - Australian Broadcasting Corporation" (http://
[Link]/local/photos/2014/03/03/[Link]) . [Link].

7. "Olive Python Fact Sheet" ([Link]

fact-sheet/) . 28 October 2013.

Further reading

Barker DG, Barker TM (1994). Pythons of the World. Volume I. Australia. Lakeside, California:
Advanced Vivarium Systems. xviii + 171 pp.

Boulenger GA (1893). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume
I., Containing the Families ... Boidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural
History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I-XXVIII. (Liasis olivaceus, p. 79 +
Plate IV, figure 2).

Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria,
Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350.
 Gray JE (1842). "Synopsis of the species of prehensile-tailed Snakes, or Family Boidæ".
Zoological Miscellany 2: 41–46. (Liasis olivacea, new species, p. 45).

Reynolds, R. Graham; Niemiller, Matthew L.; Revell, Liam J. (2014). "Toward a Tree-of-Life for
the boas and pythons: Multilocus species-level phylogeny with unprecedented taxon
sampling". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 71: 201–213.

Smith LA (1981). "A revision of the Liasis olivaceus species-group (Serpentes: Boidae) in
Western Australia". Records of the Western Australian Museum 9 (2): 227–233. (Liasis olivaceus
barroni, new subspecies, pp. 231–233, Figure 2).

Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition.
Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.

External links

Video of a wild Olive Python in Kakadu National Park, NT ([Link]

USrZYoN3LR8)

Liasis olivaceus ([Link]

aceus) at the [Link] Reptile Database ([Link] .
Accessed 4 August 2008.

Photo of wild Olive Python attempting to eat wallaby ([Link]

s/[Link]#photo)