Olive Python — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Olive Python — origin: Australia (north and west). L. o. olivaceus: northern Australia; L. o. barroni (Pilbara olive python): the Pilbara region of Western Australia, in rocky gorges near permanent water sources. A protected species in Australia (export of wild animals prohibited); the barroni subspecies is listed as threatened/vulnerable under Australian federal law (EPBC Act). Favour captive-bred, traceable animals. Species NOT listed on CITES..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–27 °C

Warm side30–32 °C

Basking spot32–34 °C

A thermal gradient is essential: hot spot 32-34 °C, cool side 24-27 °C. A nighttime drop to ~22 °C is tolerated. Always protect heat sources (guard/cage) to prevent burns and control every element with a thermostat.

Enclosure (adult)

240 × 120 × 120 cm

A spacious and very robust terrestrial terrarium, with a stable rocky area and a large water body

Minimum dimensions for a medium-sized adult. Large individuals (barroni) require considerably larger (>= 300 cm long). A solid, perfectly locked enclosure (a powerful snake capable of forcing its way out). Provide sturdy hides on each side of the thermal gradient and stable climbing points/rocks.

Humidity

50–70 %

50-70%. Increase transiently during sheds and for incubation. Avoid stagnant humidity and insufficient ventilation (risk of respiratory infection and dermatitis).

Substrate

Aspen shavingsCoco fibre / topsoilCypress mulchNewspaper or paper towel (quarantine)

Absorbent, easy-to-clean substrate; avoid dusty or resinous substrates (pine, cedar).

UVB

Optional

Not strictly necessary (nocturnal species), but low UVB (Ferguson zone 1-2, ~2-5% UVB) is beneficial. Provide a regular photoperiod and shaded hides.

Water source

Always available

A large, clean water container allowing full immersion: a semi-aquatic species that bathes readily. Change the water regularly and clean the container.

Origin

Pythonidae

Australia (north and west). L. o. olivaceus: northern Australia; L. o. barroni (Pilbara olive python): the Pilbara region of Western Australia, in rocky gorges near permanent water sources. A protected species in Australia (export of wild animals prohibited); the barroni subspecies is listed as threatened/vulnerable under Australian federal law (EPBC Act). Favour captive-bred, traceable animals. Species NOT listed on CITES.

Feeding & health

Diet

Strict carnivore (mammals and birds) — Rodents, rabbits and appropriately sized poultry/chicks (prey about 1 to 1.5 times the width of the body).

Very strong feeding response: feed with a hook/tongs, at a distance, to avoid accidental bites. Adults fed every 2 to 4 weeks. Thawed prey only (no live prey). Avoid overfeeding (obesity, hepatic lipidosis).

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 10–25 eggs/young. Clutch of large eggs. The female coils around the clutch and incubates it (maternal brooding), about 60-70 days at ~31-32 °C. Breeding triggered by a winter cooling; sexual maturity around 3-5 years.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (environment too cold/damp, insufficient ventilation)
Mites (Ophionyssus natricis)
Thermal burns (unprotected heating equipment or without a thermostat)
Stomatitis / mouth rot (infectious stomatitis)
Obesity and hepatic lipidosis (overfeeding)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes and 2 named combos for Olive Python.

Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
Hypomelanistic hypoInc.d
Axanthic (Hypothetical)Rec

Named combos — 2 documented combined morphs

SnowSunglow

Pairing calculator

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

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Olive Python × Olive 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 olive python.

Is the olive python a species reserved for experienced keepers?▾

Yes, its difficulty is rated advanced: it is a massive, very powerful snake, and its very strong feeding response demands great caution at feeding time. Captive-bred adults are generally calm, even-tempered "gentle giants", but their size and strength call for experience, and two-person handling is recommended for large specimens.

How big can an adult olive python get?▾

This depends heavily on the subspecies: the nominate form (L. o. olivaceus) measures 2-3 m, while the Pilbara olive python (L. o. barroni) commonly reaches 3-4 m, exceptionally up to 4.5 m. It is a massive, very muscular snake, with smooth, high-count scales giving a creamy, matte look, often uniform in adults.

How can an olive python be handled safely?▾

For a young animal, calm and regular handling is generally enough, but for a large adult, especially a Pilbara specimen, two-person handling is recommended to properly support the body and maintain control. Since the feeding response is very strong, it is best to always feed with a hook or tongs, at a safe distance, to avoid accidental bites.

What terrarium is needed to house this species?▾

Plan for a minimum of 240 x 120 x 120 cm for a medium-sized adult, and considerably more (at least 300 cm long) for a large Pilbara specimen. The terrarium should be terrestrial, very spacious and robust, with a stable rocky area, a large water body, sturdy hides on each side of the gradient, and a perfectly locked lid, as this python is capable of forcing open a flimsy latch.

What temperature gradient should be set up?▾

Provide a hot spot between 32 and 34 °C, a general warm side of 30-32 °C and a cool side of 24-27 °C, with a nighttime drop tolerated down to around 22 °C. All heat sources must be guarded and controlled by a thermostat to prevent burns.

What humidity and substrate suit the olive python?▾

A humidity level of 50-70% is suitable, increased temporarily during sheds. Aspen shavings, coco fibre or coco soil, and cypress mulch are good choices, provided you avoid dusty or resinous substrates such as pine or cedar, and ensure good ventilation to prevent respiratory infections and dermatitis.

Does the olive python need a large water feature?▾

Yes, it is a semi-aquatic species that enjoys fully immersing itself: provide a large, clean water container, changed and cleaned regularly, in which it bathes readily.

What should it be fed and how often?▾

As a strict carnivore, it feeds on rodents, rabbits or poultry of an appropriate size, roughly 1 to 1.5 times the width of its body, always thawed and never live. Adults are fed every 2-4 weeks; overfeeding must be avoided, as it exposes this species to obesity and hepatic lipidosis.

Is UVB lighting necessary for this nocturnal species?▾

It isn't strictly essential, since the olive python is nocturnal to crepuscular, but low UVB (Ferguson zone 1-2, about 2-5%) remains beneficial, provided a regular photoperiod and shaded hides are maintained.

Where does the olive python come from, and are there legal restrictions?▾

It is native to northern and western Australia: the nominate form lives in the north of the country, while the Pilbara olive python occupies the rocky gorges of Western Australia near permanent water sources. The species is protected in Australia, which bans the export of wild animals, and the barroni subspecies is listed as threatened under Australian federal law (the EPBC Act): it is best to acquire a captive-bred, traceable specimen.

How does the olive python reproduce, and what is its lifespan?▾

An oviparous species, the female lays large eggs, 10-25 per clutch, which she incubates by coiling around them for 60-70 days at 31-32 °C; breeding is triggered by winter cooling, with sexual maturity occurring around 3-5 years. With good care, this python commonly lives 20-30 years, sometimes longer.

What health issues should be monitored?▾

The main points of vigilance are respiratory infections in environments that are too cold or too humid, mites, thermal burns from unguarded equipment or the absence of a thermostat, stomatitis, as well as obesity and hepatic lipidosis from overfeeding.

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