Olive python (Liasis olivaceus)

Short answers

Olive python: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 300×200×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Australian rock pythons); (bigger is better); a large water pool, some climbing opportunities.

Olive python: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 33–35 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Olive python: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, low UVB recommended.

Olive python: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Olive python: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

33–35 °C

Humidity

50–60 %

UVB

UVB not essential, low UVB recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 300×200×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Australian rock pythons); (bigger is better); a large water pool, some climbing opportunities

Substrate

Bark mulch, aspen shavings or newspaper

Feeding

Food

Rodents (rats), rabbits, poultry

Feeding interval

adults 1× every 10–14 days, juveniles 1× every 7 days

Key facts

Adult size

2–3.5 m, rarely up to 4 m; heavy-bodied

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

Northern and north-western Australia

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B – registration required, proof of origin required. An Australian export ban → captive-bred animals only.

Brumation

None as such; a slight drop or shorter photoperiod to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Olive pythons are solitary and have a very strong feeding response — if two animals grab the same prey item, serious bites or one swallowing the other can result. For breeding in winter, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

A usually calm but very large and powerful species; partly climbing and a good swimmer → stable branches and a large water basin. Do not keep night temperatures permanently below 22 °C.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Olive python (Liasis olivaceus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Macklot's python (Liasis mackloti) – Intermediate
• Water python (Liasis fuscus) – Intermediate
• Amethystine python (Simalia amethistina) – Intermediate to expert
• Angolan python (Python anchietae) – Intermediate
• Australian scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) – Intermediate
• Black-headed python (Aspidites melanocephalus) – Intermediate
• Boelen's python (Simalia boeleni) – Expert
• Burmese python (Python bivittatus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Olive python (Liasis olivaceus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 300×200×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Australian rock pythons); (bigger is better); a large water pool, some climbing opportunities), substrate (Bark mulch, aspen shavings or newspaper), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.