Water python a.k.a Liasis fuscus
Intro to Water Pythons
The name is spot on, as this is indeed a python that lives in and around water. These semi-aquatic snakes inhabit Northern Australia and the island of Papua New Guinea where they prowl the creeks and river beds looking for pretty much anything they can fit in their mouths, from small mammals, fish and even baby crocodiles. Water pythons have a unique coloration, having a dark brown color and bright yellow belly, topped off with a remarkable iridescence across the body. Adults can measure 6 to 10 feet long, which better explains how they’re able to eat baby crocodiles in the wild. Females tend to be larger than males on average. There is not a whole lot of research on this rare animal, but it is suggested that they can live anywhere from 20 to 30 years.
In captivity, these snakes can be fed a variety of foods such as mice, rats and chicks to compensate for the lack of feeder crocodiles in captivity. Jokes aside, water pythons rarely fuss about their food and can be fed once a week. Overall care for this species is simple, minus the water factor which will be discussed later. These snakes need a basking spot at the high 80 degrees F to low 90 degrees F, and don’t need a whole lot of climbing space. With that said, a mainly terrestrial enclosure would be preferred with lower set branches to let them get closer to the heat if using bulbs. Humidity should be kept moderately high, at around 70-80% as they do live in and around water. The water feature is an element of controversy. Some people who keep water pythons do not offer a large water feature, instead using a large water bowl and a conventional tropical snake setup. Others take advantage of their semi-aquatic nature and keep them in an aquatic environment with land areas for them to bask and rest on. The pythons seem to do just fine with both setups, so feel free to make your water python setup either way. If setting up a water python in a mostly aquatic setup, be mindful of filtration and impractical hiding spots the snake could end up messing with. It’s best to attach any cords to the sides of the tank to avoid them grabbing onto them and damaging the filter, and strategically placing decor to avoid them pinning themselves underwater. The water level should be low, but still It is well worth the hassle though, as watching water pythons exhibit their natural aquatic behavior is very interesting. Babies can live in a 20 gallon long aquarium and adults should be upgraded to at least a 4x2x2 when fully grown, although an 8x4x4 would be a more comfortable forever home.
Water Pythons For Sale in the Pet Trade
The rarity of this species results in a relatively high price tag, and they are not readily available captive bred. It’s not impossible to find them captive bred, but they are often much more expensive than wild caught individuals, usually being double the price. The water python is definitely a great animal to keep as a pet if you’re looking for something outside the box, and are amazing conversation starters for sure. And who can ignore their iridescence?
The ethical collection and sustainability of species Imported and Exported are monitored by USFWS & CITES. CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. How does CITES work?: https://cites.org/eng/disc/how.php
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