Liasis olivaceus

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Liasis olivaceous - 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]

Liasis olivaceus, commonly called the olive python,[2] is a 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 colour pattern is a uniform chocolate brown to olive green, while the belly is usually cream coloured.[4]

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

Geographic range

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

Habitat

It 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 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

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 oviparous 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

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 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. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Olive python, Liasis olivaceus at Pilbara Pythons. Accessed 4 August 2008.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Liasis olivaceus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 August 2008. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Olive Python at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Accessed 4 August 2008.
  5. ↑ Captive maintenance and breeding of olive python at Victorian Herpetological Society. Accessed 4 August 2008.

External links

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