Liasis olivaceus (Olive python)

Origin: Western and Northern Australia and Queensland

Length: 2.5 to 4 meters
Age: up to 6 years
The olive python is, as its name suggests, olive colored. Now only the top and sides of the snake are olive green or light brown in color. The belly of the snake is a lot lighter in color and sometimes even white. Unlike other pythons, the snake has no dots or any pattern on its body. Lastly the scales have an iridizing shine, this is kind of similar along as a bubble has.

Care
Experience: Average snake keeper
Food: Live or dead prey. Primary prey animals are mice and rats.
Adult feeding: every 3 to 4 weeks
Feeding young: every 7 to 10 days.
Water basin: Yes
Change water: 3 times a week
Food

There is a choice to offer the prey animals alive or dead. Although it is advisable to offer your olive pyton dead prey. This is because it is more practical and prevents the food animal from injuring your snake. Thereby it is advised to offer the food animal with a pair of tongs and to feed your snake outside the residence. This ensures that your hand is not associated with food and prevents your snake from grasping your hand during feeding. If you go for live food, you must supervise it during feeding. This is because the prey can injure the snake. If you hold the olive pyton together with other snakes, you will have to take them apart for feeding, this will prevent the snakes from becoming entangled during feeding.

Water
The water basin is of course used for drinking, but olive pyton also uses it for bathing. For this reason, the water bowl must be large enough for the snake to be able to lie with its entire body. Because the snake is in the water basin, the water will be polluted a little faster, for this reason the water must be changed regularly. We recommend changing the water if the pollution is high.

Cleaning
To prevent health problems with your snake, the accommodation must be cleaned regularly. This prevents the accumulation of harmful substances and diseases. It is advisable to clean the accommodation once a week. In addition, the entire enclosure must be cleaned and disinfected a few times a year to prevent the build-up of bacteria.

Handling
To perform tasks with the snake, the snake must be handled. Olive python are usually calm snakes, but certain things must be taken into consideration during handling. If your snake is handling use a snake hook or lift it with both hands. Do not hang your snake around your neck, this is because if the snake falls it will clamp itself around your neck. In addition, there are some important things to look out for when handling a python. First make sure that your snake understands that you are going to handle it and move gently when you handle it. Also make sure that your hands are washed and do not smell like food. Finally, do not handle your snake when it is peeling and do not handle it in the dark.

Housing
Minimum size of enclosure for 1 snake: 200 x 100 x 100
Lying surface: 1 m2 with at least one raised lounger per snake where it can lie on the entire snake.
Day temperature: 28-35C
Night temperature: 22-25C
Hours of light: 12 hours
Humidity degree: 50% -75%
Ground cover: Newspapers, bark or peat litter
Enclosure
The olive python makes itself at home in crawling forest. This is an area with low vegetation, small trees, open spaces, puddles and rocks. We naturally want to create this after the enclosure. With sheltered rocks, stones, a large water tank (where the snake fits) and climbing possibilities in the form of climbing branches. The shelter cave must be large enough for the snake or snakes to be able to lie in with their entire body. At the rocks, care must be taken that there are no sharp points where the snake can injure itself. The water basin must be large enough so that the snake or snakes can lie in with their entire body. Finally, the climbing possibilities, you can offer these in the worm of branches. The snake will appreciate that the possibility of climbing also gives the snake the opportunity to rest in peace.

For the enclosure there are some extra things to pay attention to. The olive python, for example, are quite good at escaping, it will have to be ensured that they cannot just open their door. In addition, ventilation is needed to keep the air fresh and it is advisable to set up the enclosure out of the bright sun and as vibration-free as possible.

Behaviour
Hunting method: Constricting snake.
Lifestyle: Semi-arboreal & night active
Character
They are calm snakes that will not fare quickly. Note that they are good eaters, so a mouse-smelling hand would like to try it out.
Points of attention
The olive python is a strangle snake and can eat prey larger than its head. Therefore, keep in mind that you will not leave it alone with small children or pets. This is because he can also see this as prey.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The olive python falls under CITES II, to own this snake you need CITES or transfer papers. You should get this when purchasing.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for accommodation, lighting, heating, water bowl and decoration. This can together cost a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the costs for the feed, this is several tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Costs have been incurred if your snake accidentally falls ill or your equipment breaks down.