White-lipped python – Biak (Bothrochilus biakensis)

Short answers

White-lipped python – Biak: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 200×100×150 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, white-lipped pythons).

White-lipped python – Biak: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–32 °C, basking spot 33 °C, at night 23–26 °C.

White-lipped python – Biak: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

White-lipped python – Biak: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

White-lipped python – Biak: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–32 °C

Night temperature

23–26 °C

Basking spot

33 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 200×100×150 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, white-lipped pythons)

Substrate

Coco humus and bark mulch, a cork tube, climbing branches, a large water dish

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed rats of a suitable size

Feeding interval

every 10–14 days

Key facts

Adult size

150–200 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

The island of Biak (Indonesia)

Protection status

Protected: CITES Appendix II, EU Annex B - proof of origin required at purchase and resale.

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

An island form, smaller in stature and usually calmer in temperament than the mainland animals. Like all white-lipped pythons, sensitive to dryness – shedding problems are the commonest sign.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• White-lipped python – d'Albertis (Bothrochilus albertisii) – Intermediate
• White-lipped python – northern (Bothrochilus boa) – Intermediate
• White-lipped python – southern (Bothrochilus hoserae) – Intermediate
• Red blood python (Python brongersmai) – Intermediate
• Sumatran short-tailed python (Python curtus) – Intermediate
• Borneo short-tailed python (Python breitensteini) – Intermediate
• Common egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scabra) – Intermediate
• Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep White-lipped python – Biak (Bothrochilus biakensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 200×100×150 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, white-lipped pythons)), substrate (Coco humus and bark mulch, a cork tube, climbing branches, a large water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.