Description:
Scientific name: Leiopython albertisii
Life span: 20-30 years
Typically, the underside of white-lipped pythons is either blackish-blue or brownish-violet, fading to yellow and then gray. Though a small number of Northern white-lipped pythons have been discovered to have some markings, they are mostly patternless.
Native Region/Habitat
The island of New Guinea and some of its neighboring islands in eastern Indonesia are home to white-lipped pythons. The majority of these snakes can be found in forested areas, such as tropical monsoon forests and coastal wetlands.
Behavior:
Although white lipped pythons are notoriously hostile, they can be better controlled when raised in captivity. White lipped pythons need to be handled gently and sparingly because they are venomous snakes. Even though a white-lipped python’s bite is not lethal, an adult snake’s bite nonetheless hurts. Because the snakes can be aggressive and require their own area, white lipped pythons must be housed separately.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
White-lipped pythons are gregarious, healthy eaters with quick metabolisms who require little maintenance.
- Give the snake rats that are as wide as the snake’s widest point on its body. One small mouse should be fed to baby white lipped pythons every seven days, and one rat should be offered to adult white lipped pythons every ten to two weeks.
- A temperature of 80–85°F should be present in around two thirds of the tank. The temperature in the basking region, which makes up one-third of the tank, should be 90°F. The temperature in the basking area can be raised using a heat pad or a heat lamp. Check that temperatures are constant by using a thermometer.
- A white lipped python tank should have a humidity level of 60% to 80% to closely resemble the reptile’s natural habitat, which is a humid swamp. Use a substrate that retains air moisture and place a bowl of water beneath the heat source to allow water to evaporate and increase humidity.
- A white-lipped python needs an enclosure that is at least 48x36x24 inches in size. White lipped pythons require an enclosure that is wider than it is high because they are medium-sized snakes that spend most of their time on the ground.
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