OLIVE PYTHONS

 Olive pythons are active, curious snakes with a huge appetite. Originating from northern Australia typically in rocky areas, gorges and close to water. They are semi aboreal snakes, so sometimes they will be up high in the trees. 

 Olive pythons have a unique smooth appearance, this is due to their high number of dorsal scale rows or,  in other words, they have a much higher scale count than say a colubrid or boa would, so they definitely feel as smooth as they look! Olive pythons are considered an advanced species for keepers due to their extreme food response and large housing needs. They also can grow to be around 8ft in length,  With some reaching long as large as 10ft. Olive pythons get their name from being Olive in colour.  Although they are patternless there still a beautiful snake to keep. 

Olive pythons are snakes that require a very large amount of space so a large enclosure is essential. Juveniles are best in a 3ft long enclosure with lots of things to climb on as they are semi aboreal.  As your Olive python ages, you will be looking at getting an enclosure of a minimum of 8ft long. Providing your Olive python with enough space to explore will drastically impact their overall temperament and health. These are not snakes that can be housed in a tub.  They are very active and require lots of space to explore.

These snakes love the heat and prefer a hotter temperature. A basking area of 95ﾟF will be suitable with an ambient temperature of about 83ﾟF to 85ﾟF.  It is important to drop the ambian temperatures in the evening, no lower than  76ﾟF. 

Olive pythons are nocturnal and don't require uvb bulbs. LED lighting can be used. It is important that you give your animal at day-and-night cycle for their overall well being. 

Aspen or coconut bark will work fine for an Olive python. It is important that you keep your python's enclosure clean at all times, changing the substrate frequently.  Paper towel and puppy pads can also be used, but it is not recommended as they will need to be changed every 3 days to ensure proper cleanliness.

Olive pythons are the second largest species of snake in Australia and can reach large lengths of up to 10'ft and grow very fast. Reaching 3'ft in its 1st year of life is common reaching their full size by age 5. Your olive python will grow and shed frequently, as they eat. 

 Olive pythons are notoriously very food driven animals. Eating a wide variety of foods, such as rodents and chicks when young and colossal rats and even rabbits into adulthood.  Olive pythons have fast metabolisms. They digest their food very quickly, and will always be hungry, so they should be fed more frequently then other species. A feeding schedule of once a week is recommended for juveniles,  slowing down to once every 14 days into adulthood.  

Look to the widest part of your Olive pythons body, and that will be a good way to see what size rodent you should feed your Olive python. The rodent should be around the same width as your snake. Olive pythons are known for swallowing larger prey items, so a larger meal shouldn't be an issue for these food loving serpents! 

Water for any animal should always be changed every day, if not every other day. Providing a big enough dish for your Olive python to soak is required. 

Handling and interaction 

 Like mentioned above Olive pythons are very food driven and have a strong feeding response.  It is not uncommon for your Olive python to fly out of its enclosure thinking it's getting fed. A snake hook is recommended when working with Olive python. Taming

your python to recognise the difference between feeding time and handling time will definitely be important and daily handling is essential to assure that your python is comfortable with you and tame. You're Olive Python will be very active and curious and will love to explore and zoom around. They are quite fast and should never be left out of their enclosures unattended under any circumstances. Make sure to support the whole body when handling. 

Olive pythons are amazing snakes but not for everyone. Olive pythons are not for beginners or unexperienced keepers. They are large, hungry, curious animals that require regular handling and lots of space. Patience, time, knowledge and consistency will be key in raising a friendly olive python.  Olive python's are unique, they are so curious and active so they are very fun to have as pets!