Liasis olivaceus

Olive Python
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pythonidae
Genus:	Liasis
Species:	L. olivaceus
Binomial name
Liasis olivaceus Gray, 1842
Distribution of the Olive Python
Synonyms
Liasis olivacea - Gray, 1842 Liasis olivaceus - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1842 Liasis olivaceus - Boulenger, 1893 Liasis olivaceus olivaceus - Stull, 1935 Liasi olivaceo - Werner, 1936 Bothrochilus olivaceus - Cogger, Cameron & Cogger, 1983 Lisalia olivaceus - Wells & Wellington, 1984 Lisalia olivacea - Wells & Wellington, 1985 Morelia olivacea - Underwood & Stimson, 1990 Liasis olivaceus - Cogger, 1992 Liasis olivaceus olivaceus - Barker & Barker, 1994[1]

Common names: olive python.^[2]

Liasis olivaceus is a non-venomous python species found in Australia. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.^[3]

Description

With adults reaching over 4 m in length, this is Australia's second largest snake species. Its high midbody dorsal scale count, 61-72, makes the skin look smoother than that of other pythons. The number of ventral scales is 355-377.^[2] The color pattern is a uniform chocolate brown to olive green while the belly is usually cream colored.^[4]

Unfortunately, this species is occasionally confused with the venomous king brown snake, Pseudechis australis, and killed as a consequence.^[2]

Geographic range

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

Habitat

Occurs 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 in burrows under rocks.^[2]

Feeding

The diet consists of birds, mammals and other reptiles,^[2] including rock-wallabies, fruit bats, ducks and spinifex pigeons. They prefer to lie in wait next to animal trails to ambush their prey. Alternatively, they are strong swimmers and also hunt in waterholes, striking at prey from under the water.^[4] They have also been known to prey on monitor lizards.

Reproduction

Ovoviviparous, Mating activity starts in May and continue through until mid-July. When successful, this is followed by a gestation period of 81–85 days, after which the females lay 12-40 eggs in late spring.^[4] The average clutch size is around 19 eggs.^[2] The hatchlings emerge after an incubation period of about 50 days, each measuring about 35 cm in length.^[4]

Subspecies

Subspecies[3]	Taxon author[3]	Common name[2]	Geographic range[5]
L. o. barroni	Smith, 1981	Pilbara olive python	Australia in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
L. o. olivaceus	Gray, 1842	Olive python	Australia from the Kimberley region in Western Australia to the area around Mount Isa in Queensland.

Images

close-up of head and scales

See also

• List of pythonid species and subspecies
• Pythonidae by common name
• Pythonidae by taxonomic synonyms

References

1. ^ ^{a b} McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Olive python, Liasis olivaceus at Pilbara Pythons. Accessed 4 August 2008.
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Liasis olivaceus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634774. Retrieved 4 August 2008. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d} Olive Python at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Accessed 4 August 2008.^{[dead link]}
5. ^ Captive maintenance and breeding of olive python at Victorian Herpetological Society. Accessed 4 August 2008.

External links

• Olive Python Care Guide
• Liasis olivaceus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 4 August 2008.
• Photo of wild Olive Python attempting to eat wallaby