Macklot’s python - Liasis mackloti

These are medium sized pythons with an adult size averaging 5-8’. These pythons are found on the islands of Timor, Roti, and Semau located on the eastern edge of the Lesser Sundas island archipelago of Indonesia. The appearance of this species can vary quite a bit based mainly on what Island it is from. The most common form found in captivity is the Timor type. The overall look of this species is of an olive-brown colored body with lighter brown speckling and a head that is lighter than the body. A striking feature of this species is the bright yellow-gold areas found on the neck, chin, and throat regions. Many keepers overlook this mostly underrated species.

My Group ~ Currently I keep a pair of the Timor form but I would love to keep animals from both of the other two populations.

           

Savu python - Liasis savuensis

These are small pythons with adults averaging 3-5’.  This python is only known to be endemic to one small island located between the islands of Sumba and Timor, in the Lesser Sundas archipelago. It is likely this species has the smallest natural range of any python species. The adult colors are usually a dark, brownish-black with some lighter, brownish-orange speckles. The belly is primarily white and orange speckled, with some of the orange coming up along the sides. The scales are highly iridescent, giving them a very appealing appearance. Another neat thing about this species is the dramatic color change they go through. Hatchlings begin life a pattern less terra cotta color. This coloration is the same for the hatchling's eyes. The color change takes more than a year to complete and when it is done the eye color becomes a bone white. This can be a challenging species to peed and more keepers should try their hand at reproducing this engaging species.

My Group ~ Currently I keep a small group of this fascinating little python.

           

Water python - Liasis fuscus

This is a medium sized python with adults averaging 4-7’. This python is found in the northern part of Australia’s Kimberley region, throughout the Cape York peninsula, several islands in the Torres Strait, and extending partly down the eastern coast of Queensland. This species also has a very limited range on the extreme southern edge of the Island of New Guinea both in the Indonesian governed side of West papua as well as into the papuan New guinea side of the Island. This pattern less highly iridescent species exhibits an overall coloration that can vary from a deep rich dark chocolate brown nearly almost black appearance to a much lighter brown. The belly is a stunning yellow-gold color that contrasts sharply with the rest of the snake. Recent DNA analysis revealed that this species could actually be two separate species with a western form as well as a eastern form that would also include the New Guinea specimens. You do not see many keepers working with this rare taxon and very few are produced each year.

My Group  ~ Currently I keep a small collection of Queensland Australian Specimens.

           

Wetar Island Python - liasis dunni

This is a medium sized python with adults averaging 4-6 feet in length. The species is endemic to the island of Wetar which is to the north of the island of Timor. Wetar is part of the Barat Daya Islands found in the extreme southwest portion of the larger Maluku Islands. This taxon is extremely rare in captivity and unlike its close relative the savu python, it received very little fanfare when it first came into the trade in the mid to late 90s. Although they are often confused with the Macklot’s python, they are truly quite distinct. Wetar pythons are likely the most naturally variable of all the liasis species. Adults can range from patternless beige or silver to speckled individuals in the same base colors with patternless neck, chin, and bellies typically white in color. A trait unique to dunni within the liasis genus is the babies can hatch out to be either reddish brown or a silver grey color.

My Group ~ I keep a small group of these rare pythons and I am very excited to have an opportunity to try and help get this species established in domestic collections.