Python - White Lipped

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

D'Albertis Python, D'alberts White Lipped Python Scientific Name: Liasis albertisi

Basic Info

D'Alberts Pythons are typically dark reddish-brown in color with creamy undersides, and they grow to a length of about four to six feet. The southern subspecies of D'Alberts Python is black in color and grows larger, usually seven to eight feet. Both have striking white lips and heads offset from their bodies. Both species shimmer iridescently.

Health

D'Alberts Python require a cage of about three to four feet in length. Daytime temperatures should range in the low 80's with a basking spot of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. At night the temperature should be about 75 degrees. These pythons are very shy and will generally hide if they see you. It is very easy for D'Alberts Pythons to develop skin conditions due to wrong temperature or humidity. Make sure your snake's skin is soft and supple with no trace of wrinkling or the molds and bacteria that D'Alberts Python is susceptible to. After laying its eggs, the D'Alberts Python is also susceptible to respiratory infections. D'Alberts Python is extremely shy and too much handling will stress this snake. Breeding D'Alberts Python males reach sexual maturity at three years of age and females at four. Females less than four to five feet in length should not be bred. To encourage copulation and fertility, when breeding the D'Alberts Python, the day and night temperatures should vary extremely. Alternate low sixties and seventies at night while raising the temperature back up into the eighties during the day. Copulation will occur during the night and after three months the female will bear a clutch of five to 20 eggs, with seven to 12 being average. The eggs should be immediately removed from the female, who may try to protect them. The eggs should hatch in about 56 to 60 days if incubated at 90 degrees. When kept from 86 to 88 degrees, they will hatch in 70 to 80 days. The temperature must be kept correct or severe damage will occur to the fetal D'Alberts Python. Infant D'Alberts Pythons should be taught to feed by being offered pinkie mice scented with skink or gecko musk. The temperature for the hatchlings should be warmer than for the adults and the humidity should also be higher. Young D'Alberts Python, once taught to feed, are voracious eaters.

Habitat

Warm, damp tropical forests of Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia, and the surrounding islands.

Behavior

The D'Alberts Python, also known as the White-Lipped Python is treasured by collectors because of its beauty. In the wild, D'Alberts Python is native to the warm, damp tropical forests of Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia, and the surrounding islands. There are two subspecies, one living in the northern area of the range, and one southern. Nocturnal hunters, the D'Alberts Python is fast and deadly to small animals or lizards who cross its path. In captivity, this feisty temperament is highly evident. D'Alberts Pythons should be kept in separate enclosures unless breeding, because of their testiness. D'Alberts Pythons kept in the wild are extremely difficult to tame and it is recommended that only captive born and raised pythons are kept as pets. Even these are quick to bite and try to escape, so it is important to use caution when handling these pythons. Tamer D'Alberts Pythons will hide their heads beneath their coils when stressed, but the majority of these pythons will simply attempt escape, which may involve biting. Like all snakes, it is essential that D'Alberts Pythons be given hide boxes so they can feel safe when stressed. Stress can occur from excessive handling, since D'Alberts Python is typically antisocial. Due to their native humid climate, the D'Alberts Python requires at least 75% humidity in its enclosure, and it should have a soaking bowl, since these gorgeous snakes love to soak. Since they climb naturally in the wild, D'Alberts Python needs a few limbs in the cage to allow it exercise and comfort. Typically, D'Alberts Pythons are good feeders and prefer to feed at night. D'Alberts Pythons requires caution and lots of care and is definitely not for children or beginning hobbyists. Often imported from the wild, caught D'Alberts Python generally do not make good or tame pets. Of the two subspecies, the southern or black subspecies is generally much more expensive to buy than the lighter, northern subspecies.

Origin

Indo-Pacific

History

Generally inhabiting Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia, the islands of the Torres Strait, and Irian Java, D'Alberts Python live near swampy areas or where water is available in the rainforest.

Common Foods

N/A