Olive python
| Olive python | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pythonidae |
| Genus: | Liasis |
| Species: | L. olivaceus |
| Binomial name | |
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Liasis olivaceus Gray, 1842 |
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| Distribution of the olive python | |
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Liasis olivaceus, commonly called the olive python, is a python species found in Australia. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
With adults reaching over 4 m in length, this is Australia's second-largest snake species (surpassed only by the scrub python). 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. The colour pattern is a uniform chocolate brown to olive green, while the belly is usually cream coloured.
Unfortunately, this species is occasionally confused with the venomous king brown snake, Pseudechis australis, and is often mistakenly killed.
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).
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.
The diet consists of birds, mammals and other reptiles, 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. They are also known to prey on monitor lizards and crocodiles.
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Wikipedia