Northern White-lipped Python — Care Sheet & Morphs

Q: How big does an adult Northern White-lipped Python get?

An adult Northern White-lipped Python typically measures 1.5–2.1 m.

Husbandry requirements

Northern White-lipped Python — origin: New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua) and neighbouring islands; lowland tropical rainforests, often near water. The entire Pythonidae family is listed on CITES Appendix II: legal documentation is required for import and transfer of ownership..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min23 °C

Cool side25–27 °C

Warm side30–32 °C

A nocturnal forest species: no heliophilic basking spot is needed. Create a gradient using a heat mat/cable or a radiant panel, which must be controlled by a thermostat. Do not exceed 33 °C at the hot spot to avoid burns and dehydration. A moderate nighttime drop is tolerated (down to ~23 °C).

Enclosure (adult)

150 × 60 × 75 cm

Closed, high-humidity terrarium (glass or PVC), terrestrial/semi-arboreal, with sturdy branches and a well-secured lid (a powerful, lively species)

Minimum for one adult; bigger is always preferable. Provide at least two hides (warm side and cool side), solid branches for climbing, and a well-planted/cluttered environment to reassure this nervous species. A locked lid is imperative.

Humidity

70–90 %

A lowland species requiring high humidity, but good ventilation is essential: stagnant humidity promotes respiratory infections. Misting and a damp substrate rather than a stuffy atmosphere. Raise the humidity temporarily during sheds.

Substrate

Coconut fibre/chipsOrchid barkSphagnum mossCypress mulch

Choose a substrate that retains moisture without being waterlogged (prolonged contact with a water-soaked substrate causes scale rot and blisters). Renew soiled areas regularly.

UVB

Optional

Not essential (a nocturnal species). Low UVB (2-5%, Ferguson zone 1) combined with a regular day/night cycle remains beneficial and physiological.

Water source

Always available

A large bowl of clean water allowing full immersion of the body, cleaned and renewed regularly; the animal bathes in it readily, particularly before shedding.

Origin

Pythonidae

New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua) and neighbouring islands; lowland tropical rainforests, often near water. The entire Pythonidae family is listed on CITES Appendix II: legal documentation is required for import and transfer of ownership.

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore — Rodents (mice, rats) of suitable size; occasionally birds/chicks

Thawed prey of a width close to the thickest part of the snake's body. A very brisk feeding response: present the prey with tongs/a hook and let the animal digest without handling for 48 h. Avoid overfeeding (obesity, regurgitation); space out meals in adults.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 8–15 eggs/young. Incubation of about 60-70 days at ~30-31 °C. The female may practise maternal incubation by coiling around the clutch. Sexual dimorphism is slight; sexing by probing/popping should be done by an experienced person.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections, often linked to poor ventilation or stagnant humidity
Scale rot and blisters (scale rot / blister disease) on an overly soaked substrate
Difficult sheds (dysecdysis) and shed retention if the humidity is insufficient
Internal parasites and external mites, common in wild-caught specimens
Stomatitis (mouth rot) and regurgitation linked to stress or prey that is too large

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes for Northern White-lipped Python.

Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
Hypomelanistic hypoRec
Axanthic (Hypothetical)Rec

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Northern White-lipped Python × Northern White-lipped Python

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the northern white-lipped python.

How big does an adult Northern White-lipped Python get?▾

An adult Northern White-lipped Python typically measures 1.5–2.1 m (total adult length. the northern form (l. albertisii) remains smaller than the southern species (l. hoserae/meridionalis, 2.4 m+). females are often slightly larger and more heavily built than males.).

What temperature and humidity does a Northern White-lipped Python need?▾

A gradient of roughly 25–27 °C on the cool side to 30–32 °C on the warm side. Humidity 70–90 %.

What does a Northern White-lipped Python eat?▾

Carnivore: Rodents (mice, rats) of suitable size; occasionally birds/chicks.

Is the Northern White-lipped Python a good reptile for beginners?▾

Intermediate level. Notoriously defensive and reactive ('nippy'), often nervous and quick to bite or flee, with a very strong feeding response. Non-venomous, but bites are possible and impressive: calm, regular and confident handling is advised, using a hook to dissociate feeding from handling. Wild-caught specimens (common in the trade) are particularly stressed and difficult to acclimate: quarantine and a veterinary parasite check are strongly recommended. Plan ahead: a lifespan of 20–25 yrs.

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