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{{short description|Species of snake}}
{{For|The Papuan olive python|Apodora}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Olive python
| image = Liasis olivaceous (Gracie).jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Liasis
| species = olivaceus
| authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1842
| synonyms = *''Liasis olivacea'' {{small|Gray, 1842}}
*''Liasis olivaceus'' {{small|— [[André Marie Constant Duméril|A.M.C. Duméril]] & [[Gabriel Bibron|Bibron]], 1842}}
*''Liasis olivaceus'' {{small|— [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1893}}
*''Liasis olivaceus olivaceus'' {{small|— [[Olive Griffith Stull|Stull]], 1935}}
*''Liasi olivaceo'' {{small|— [[Franz Werner|F. Werner]], 1936}}
*''Bothrochilus olivaceus'' {{small|— [[Harold Cogger|H.G. Cogger]], [[Elizabeth E. Cameron|Cameron]] & [[Heather M. Cogger|H.M. Cogger]], 1983}}
*''Lisalia olivaceus'' {{small|— [[Richard Walter Wells|Wells]] & [[Cliff Ross Wellington|Wellington]], 1984}}
*''Lisalia olivacea'' {{small|— Wells & Wellington, 1985}}
*''Morelia olivacea'' {{small|— [[:fr:Garth Underwood|Underwood]] & [[Andrew Francis Stimson|Stimson]], 1990}}
*''Liasis olivaceus'' {{small|— H.G. Cogger, 1992}}
*''Liasis olivaceus olivaceus'' {{small|— [[David G. Barker|D. Barker]] & [[Tracy M. Barker|T. Barker]], 1994}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=McD99>[[:fr:Roy Wallace McDiarmid|McDiarmid RW]], [[Jonathan A. Campbell|Campbell JA]], Touré T (1999). ''Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1''. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. {{ISBN|1-893777-00-6}} (series). {{ISBN|1-893777-01-4}} (volume).</ref>
| range_map = Olive Python.png
| range_map_caption = Distribution of the olive python
}}

The '''olive python''' ('''''Liasis olivaceus''''')<ref name="PP">[http://www.pilbarapythons.com/olivepython.htm Olive python, ''Liasis olivaceus''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924073244/http://www.pilbarapythons.com/olivepython.htm |date=24 September 2015 }} at [http://www.pilbarapythons.com/ Pilbara Pythons] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218032842/http://pilbarapythons.com/ |date=18 December 2014 }}. Accessed 4 August 2008.</ref> is a [[species]] of [[snake]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Pythonidae]]. The species is [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Australia]]. Two [[subspecies]] are recognized, including the [[Subspecies#Nominate subspecies|nominate subspecies]] described here.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634774 |taxon=''Liasis olivaceus'' |access-date=4 August 2008}}</ref>

==Description==
With adults reaching over 4 m (13 ft) in total length (including the tail), ''L. olivaceus'' is Australia's third-largest snake species (surpassed only by the [[Morelia amethistina|amethystine python]] and [[Oenpelli python]]). Its high number of [[dorsal scale]] rows (61–72 at midbody), makes the skin look smoother than that of other pythons. The number of [[ventral scales]] is 355–377.<ref name=PP/> The colour pattern is a uniform chocolate brown to olive green, while the belly is usually cream-coloured.<ref name="CWS">[http://www.currumbin-sanctuary.org.au/content/standard.asp?name=OlivePython Olive Python] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024170031/http://www.currumbin-sanctuary.org.au/content/standard.asp?name=OlivePython |date=24 October 2007 }} at [http://www.currumbin-sanctuary.org.au/ Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024170031/http://www.currumbin-sanctuary.org.au/ |date=24 October 2007 }}. Accessed 4 August 2008.</ref> The adult weight is typically {{convert|10|-|20|kg}}, and a large female can exceed {{convert|20|kg}} in captivity.<ref name=VHS/>

Unfortunately, this species is occasionally confused with the venomous king brown snake, ''[[Pseudechis australis]]'', and may be mistakenly killed based on the misidentification.<ref name=PP/>

==Distribution==
''L. olivaceus'' is found in [[Western Australia]], the [[Northern Territory]], and [[Queensland]]. The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] given is "North Australia; [[Port Essington]]" (Northern Territory, Australia).<ref name=McD99/>

==Habitat==
The olive python 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 burrows under rocks.<ref name=PP/>

==Diet==
The diet of ''L. olivaceus'' consists of [[bird]]s ([[duck]]s and [[Spinifex Pigeon|spinifex pigeons]]), [[mammal]]s (including [[Rock-wallaby|rock wallabies]] and [[Megabat|fruit bat]]s), and other reptiles.<ref name=PP/> It prefers to lie in wait next to an animal trail to ambush its prey. Alternatively, it is a strong swimmer and also hunts in waterholes, striking at prey from under the water.<ref name=CWS/>

It is also known to prey on monitor lizards and [http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2014/03/03/3955563.htm juvenile crocodiles].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2014/03/03/3955563.htm|title=Snake vs crocodile: A dramatic showdown - ABC (none) - Australian Broadcasting Corporation|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref>

==Reproduction==
Mating activity of olive pythons starts in May and continues until mid-July. When successful, this is followed by a [[gestation]] period of 81–85 days, after which the [[Oviparity|oviparous]] female lays 12–40 eggs in late spring.<ref name=CWS/> The average [[Clutch (eggs)|clutch]] size is around 19 eggs.<ref name=PP/> The hatchlings emerge after an incubation period around 50 days, each measuring about 35 cm in length.<ref name=CWS/>

==Subspecies==
{|cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;"
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Subspecies<ref name="ITIS"/>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Taxon author<ref name="ITIS"/>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Common name<ref name=PP/>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Geographic range<ref name=VHS>[http://www.vhs.com.au/pages/Olivecare.html Captive maintenance and breeding of olive python] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304171055/http://www.vhs.com.au/pages/Olivecare.html |date=4 March 2008 }} at [http://www.vhs.com.au/pages/Intro.html Victorian Herpetological Society] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718165022/http://www.vhs.com.au/pages/Intro.html |date=18 July 2008 }}. Accessed 4 August 2008.</ref>
|-
|''[[Liasis olivaceus barroni|L. o. barroni]]''
|[[Lawrence Alec Smith|L.A. Smith]], 1981
|Pilbara olive python
|style="width:40%"|[[Australia]] in the [[Pilbara|Pilbara region]] of [[Western Australia]]
|-
|''L. o. olivaceus''
|[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1842
|common olive python
|Australia from the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley region]] in Western Australia to the area around [[Mount Isa]] in [[Queensland]]
|-
|}

==Captivity==
The olive python is often kept as a pet and is bred in captivity. It is technically an advanced-level species due to its size, habitat requirements, and strong feeding response, requiring a terrarium of a minimum of {{convert|8|ft|m|order=flip}} long, by {{convert|3|ft|m|0|order=flip}} high and {{convert|3|ft|m|0|order=flip}} wide. If raised properly, it is noted to be friendly, curious, and calm. In removing it from its enclosure, snake hooks be used so as to prevent the feeding response from being triggered, and once out, it can generally be freely handled calmly due to its placid nature.<ref name=FactSheet>{{Cite web|url=https://bbsmenagerie.wordpress.com/animal-care-fact-sheets/olive-python-fact-sheet/|title=Olive Python Fact Sheet|date=28 October 2013}}</ref>{{better source|date=November 2020}}

==Images==
[[File:Liasis olivaceous.jpg|thumb|left|Close-up of head and scales]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[David G. Barker|Barker DG]], [[Tracy M. Barker|Barker TM]] (1994). ''Pythons of the World. Volume I. Australia''. Lakeside, California: Advanced Vivarium Systems. xviii + 171 pp.
*[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger GA]] (1893). ''Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families ... Boidæ ...'' London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I-XXVIII. (''Liasis olivaceus'', p. 79 + Plate IV, figure 2).
*[[Harold Cogger|Cogger HG]] (2014). ''Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition''. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. {{ISBN|978-0643100350}}.
*[[John Edward Gray|Gray JE]] (1842). "Synopsis of the species of prehensile-tailed Snakes, or Family Boidæ". ''Zoological Miscellany'' '''2''': 41–46. (''Liasis olivacea'', new species, p. 45).
*Reynolds, R. Graham; Niemiller, Matthew L.; Revell, Liam J. (2014). "Toward a Tree-of-Life for the boas and pythons: Multilocus species-level phylogeny with unprecedented taxon sampling". ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'' '''71''': 201–213.
*[[Lawrence Alec Smith|Smith LA]] (1981). "A revision of the ''Liasis olivaceus'' species-group (Serpentes: Boidae) in Western Australia". ''Records of the Western Australian Museum'' '''9''' (2): 227–233. (''Liasis olivaceus barroni'', new subspecies, pp. 231–233, Figure 2).
*Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). ''A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition''. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. {{ISBN|978-1921517280}}.

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USrZYoN3LR8 Video of a wild Olive Python in Kakadu National Park, NT]
* {{NRDB species|genus=Liasis|species=olivaceus|date=4 August|year=2008}}
*[http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/cowsnake.asp#photo Photo of wild Olive Python attempting to eat wallaby]
{{Pythonidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1814729}}

[[Category:Liasis|olivaceus]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1842]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]
[[Category:Snakes of Australia]]

Olive python - Revision history

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