The medium-sized white lipped python has dazzling white lips, a glossy black head, and iridescent scales. There are white-lipped pythons in Papua New Guinea.
Because they are resilient and resistant to disease, white lipped pythons are easy to care for. White lipped pythons, on the other hand, are aggressive and have been known to bite; thus, they are not recommended for novice reptile keepers or kids.
Review of the White-Lipped Python
| Common Name | White lipped python, white-lip python, white-lipped python, white lipped snake |
| Scientific Name | Leiopython albertisii |
| Natural Setting | Papua New Guinea’s dense, overgrown rainforests are next to rivers and streams. |
| Adult Size | 72–84 inches |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 30 years |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Housing | 48x36x24-inch tank, 60%–80% humidity, 80–85°F with a basking spot of 90°F |
| Experience Level | Intermediate to expert |
Origin
The thickly forested jungles of Papua New Guinea are the natural habitat of the white-lipped python (Leiopython albertisii). The white lipped python’s natural habitat includes logs, leaf litter, tropical vegetation, and rivers and streams that provide a source of freshwater.
Since they are a terrestrial species, white-lipped pythons dwell on the ground. White-lipped pythons are known to climb downed trees and logs, nevertheless. White-lipped pythons are crepuscular snakes, which means they are most active in the late afternoon and at dusk.
White lipped pythons, a common species in their native habitat, are collected in the wild or reared in snake farms before being brought into the United States.
Manifestation and conduct
The jet-black head of the white lipped python and white markings that resemble skull teeth around its lips give it a frightening appearance. The white lipped python often comes in two different shades of color:
- The body of the northern white-lipped python is gold-bronze with olive undertones.
- Scales on the southern white-lipped python are dark brown or black with purple undertones.
The white lipped python’s scales have an iridescent gloss that resembles soap bubbles in favorable Lighting. Nanostructures in the snake’s scales reflect light, creating a colorful brilliance.
White-lipped python females grow bigger than males do.
Size and Duration
Medium-sized white-lipped pythons can reach lengths of up to 80 inches. Some females can reach heights of 84 inches in the wild.
A white-lipped python lives for 30 years on average. The snake can survive much longer if given the proper care.
Temperament
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. The white lipped python can become ill and be stressed by cold temperatures and a damp substrate.
Related Reading: Boelen’s Python: Everything Care Instructions & Species Profile
White-Lipped Python Housing
The peaty, leafy surroundings that white lipped pythons are accustomed to in the wild include adjacent water sources, downed trees, and leaf litter. By furnishing the tank with logs, leaves, rocks, and a soily substrate, you can replicate the python’s natural habitat in captivity.
Keep your white-lipped python in a plastic or PVC-made terrarium. These fabrics maintain humidity effectively and are simple to clean. Use a plastic enclosure instead of glass because glass doesn’t retain humidity properly.
Case dimensions
A white lipped python needs an enclosure that is at least 48 x 36 x 24 inches in size. White lipped pythons require an enclosure that is wider than it is tall because they are medium-sized snakes that spend the majority of their time on the ground.
Lighting
For a white-lipped python enclosure, an incandescent lamp, such as a halogen bulb, is the best illumination option. The white-lipped python would receive natural sunlight in the wild, and this kind of light roughly resembles it.
Use only daytime incandescent illumination. Set a timer for no more than 12 hours of light per 24 hours.
No extra UV illumination is required for white-lipped pythons. Avoid placing the tank in direct sunlight because doing so could lead to the tank overheating and the snake dying.
Thermodynamics and Humidity
According to their metabolic requirements, white-lipped pythons use a mechanism called thermoregulation, in which they seek out an environment with the optimum humidity and temperature. The enclosure should feature a thermal gradient, or a warm part and a cooler section, for the snake to select from in order to provide thermal regulation.
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.
Related Reading: Scrub Python, Albino Ball Python
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.
Two to three times a year, white-lipped pythons shed their skin. The snake will be able to easily shed its skin all at once if the enclosure is maintained at a high humidity level.
Substance and Adornment
For a white lipped python’s enclosure, organic topsoil, cypress mulch, sphagnum moss, or coconut fiber are the materials that maintain a high humidity the best.
White-lipped pythons in the wild hide from both human and animal predators. A white lipped python will feel more at ease in captivity if there are places where it may hide, such as open cereal boxes, when it gets tense. Other plants that can offer cover and shade are ferns and spider plants.
The python may drink and soak in water from a basin that is half-filled. Make sure the dish is secure and that the snake cannot tip it over.
The tank’s climbing features include a sizable log as well as vines, ropes, and ladders. Since white lipped pythons are active snakes, a tank with lots of features will ensure that the snake is comfortable in captivity.
Cleaning
Maintaining cleanliness and preventing sickness require routine cleaning of a white-lipped python’s tank.
Since white lipped pythons use their water dish as a toilet, you should check, clean, and replace it with new water each day.
Spot-clean the substrate by removing unused food, garbage, and exfoliated skin after cleaning the water dish.
Replace the substrate entirely every two to three weeks to avoid swampy, muddy conditions that can lead to mold growth and rot in the substrate. Clean the enclosure’s sides and base with warm water and antibacterial soap. Tank ornaments should be removed and cleaned with warm, soapy water.
Use newspaper to line the tank’s bottom to make cleaning easier. When it’s time to replace the substrate, take off the newspaper and put a brand-new sheet of paper on top, then a fresh substrate.
Spot cleaning does not require removing white-lipped pythons from the tank. To ensure a thorough cleaning during deep cleanings, confine your python to a temporary enclosure.
Care for White-Lipped Python
White-lipped pythons are gregarious, healthy eaters with quick metabolisms who require little maintenance.
Water and Food
In the wild, white lipped pythons consume a wide range of animal items, such as tiny reptiles, birds, and mammals. The pythons may survive in captivity with a diet of frozen and thawed rats since they don’t require such a diversified diet.
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.
Even though a variety of prey isn’t required, you can replace rats with young bunnies, chickens, or quail to provide your snake’s diet with new nutrients.
White-lipped pythons shouldn’t be fed live food because it can injure them severely enough to be fatal. White-lipped pythons shouldn’t be overfed. These snakes can go months without eating in the wild. Overeating can result in Obesity and other medical issues.
Handling
The secret to training a white lipped python is to handle it from an early age. Moving a white-lipped python for tank cleaning or medical examinations will be simple if it is accustomed to handling.
Your white lipped python can become accustomed to your scent and touch by receiving brief handling sessions once a day. The snake should stop acting defensively by biting as a result.
Before touching, wash your hands to get rid of any odors from possible prey. Never squeeze or constrain the white-lipped python while handling it. Give the snake free rein to slither through your hands.
Never let kids handle white-lipped pythons.
If the snake bit you, wash the bite well and treat it with an antibiotic.
Typical Health Problems
Diseases that typically afflict captive snakes, such as the following, also harm white-lipped pythons:
Obesity
Because white lipped pythons have evolved to eat little in the wild, it is easy to overfeed the snakes in captivity. Keep a close eye on your snake’s weight and cut back on feeding if necessary. Heart disease, liver disease, and kidney issues can all be brought on by obesity.
Scale Rot
Scale rot is a bacterial infection brought on by unfavorable tank conditions, such as high temperatures, excessive humidity, a filthy cage, and soggy substrate. Scale rot can also result from trauma. Scale rot can be identified by its discolored scales, blisters, and pus. Cleaning the enclosure, controlling humidity, and using antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian will help treat scale rot.
respiratory illnesses
Wheezing, mouth-to-mouth breathing, and increased mucus production are all symptoms of respiratory infections. Respiratory infections can be brought on by an unclean cage, chilly temperatures, stress, and abnormally low or high humidity levels. Consult your pet’s doctor about administering a course of antibiotics to treat the issue.
Mites
White lipped pythons are susceptible to a variety of parasites, with mites being the most prevalent. The neck, vent, and eyes of the snake are covered with tiny, black parasites called mites. Use over-the-counter medicines to treat mites. Before adding items from pet stores to the tank, wash your hands and pet store supplies to prevent the spread of mites.
Breeding
Only an experienced snakekeeper who is familiar with python behavior should contemplate breeding white-lipped pythons because it is a challenging process. You won’t know if the male and female snakes get along unless you put them in a cage together.
About five years old is the sexual maturation age for white-lipped pythons. After a three-month gestation, females produce three to twenty eggs.
The eggs must wait two months to hatch. White-lipped python babies are self-sufficient from birth and are around 20 inches in length.
How to Choose and Purchase a White-Lipped Python
The price of a white-lipped python ranges from $125 to $150. To make sure the snake is healthy, purchase a white-lipped python from reputable online vendors or experienced breeders.
For pythons that are easier to handle and feed than those that are wild caught, look for vendors of captive-bred pythons. When selecting a white-lipped python, make sure the snake is awake, has clean eyes, and is breathing normally. To ensure the snake is eating properly, get a feeding demonstration from the seller. When purchasing a newborn snake, try to get one that has already shed and been fed at least twice.
