Australian
Olive Pythons (Liasis olivaceus)
The Olive python reaches lengths of
over 13 feet, making it one of the largest pythons in Australia.
There are two subspecies, the nominant form, L.o.olivaceus and the Pilbara olive
(L. o. barroni),
but the Pilbara olive is very rare and is not available in the
US. They are placid pythons and are generally well mannered and
calm, which is very important for as large a python as the olive.
They are highly iridescent, displaying an array of rainbow colors in
sunlight. They are an olive gray colored with a white
belly. There is an albino form that is produced in captivity
within Australia, which is an attractive morph. These gentle
giants hatch from fairly large eggs and come out looking for a meal of
finches. Often, attaching down feathers to the nose of a rat pup
is required to get these snakes eating rodents reliably, but readily
convert over to rats, rabbits and guinea pigs after a year or two.
