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Water/olive python
Liasis - Gray, 1842

Pronunciation: lee-AH-sis
 Etymology: possibly from 'lias', a type of blue limestone. Possibly just a made-up name.1 Possibly derived from a fossil region, The Lias, in Dorset, UK.

Taxonomic notes:

All Antaresia species were previously placed in this genus.

Notes: Large pythons found in Australia and northern islands, including New Guinea.
Statistics: Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 2 out of 2 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: olive python (Liasis olivaceus) at 200 cm
 Longest Australian species: olive python (Liasis olivaceus) at up to 650 cm
Number of Australian species: 2
 

water python (Liasis fuscus)
Fogg Dam, Northern Territory
Photo © Stewart Macdonald
water python (Liasis fuscus) distribution range map Liasis fuscus
Water python
Year described
Peters 1873
Description
Large snake. Heat pits in lower labial scales are present, but absent from rostral scales.

olive python (Liasis olivaceus)
Kununurra, Western Australia
Photo © Stephen Zozaya
olive python (Liasis olivaceus) distribution range map Liasis olivaceus
Olive python
Year described
Gray 1842
Description
Very large snake. Heat pits in lower labial scales are present, but absent from rostral scales.

References
  1. Storr, G. M.; Smith, L. A.; & Johnstone, R. E. (2002). Snakes of Western Australia. Western Australian Museum. 309 - search web for this book
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