Papuan Olive Python (Apodora papuana)

Common Name: Papuan Olive Python
Scientific Name: Apodora papuana
Source: WC
Adult Size: Typically 2–4m, with females considerably larger than males; a genuinely impressive and bulky species
Native Range: New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua), including surrounding islands

Enclosure: A custom-built Viperia PVC vivarium sized to suit — use the Vivarium Calculator to spec the right dimensions. Adult Papuan olive pythons are large, powerful, and heavy-bodied, requiring a spacious terrestrial setup well beyond standard off-the-shelf sizing. A deep, moisture-retaining substrate such as coconut fibre or topsoil-sand mix, multiple large secure hides at both the warm and cool ends, and robust, low-level climbing furniture are all essential. Ventilation should be good while still allowing humidity to build effectively.
Heating: Provide a warm basking spot of around 32°C, with an ambient cool end of 26–28°C; a gentle night-time drop to 22–24°C is appropriate and reflects natural conditions
Humidity: Aim for 60–80% relative humidity, reflecting the tropical and subtropical forest environments of New Guinea. This is best achieved through a deep moisture-retaining substrate, regular light misting, and a large humid hide. Good ventilation is important to prevent stagnant damp air, which can cause respiratory issues.
UVB: A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width is recommended, positioned so the animal can bask approximately 20–30cm from the lamp. While Papuan olive pythons are largely crepuscular and nocturnal (most active around dawn, dusk, and at night), provision of a low-output UVB source supports natural physiology and general wellbeing.
Diet: Papuan olive pythons are carnivores that feed on appropriately sized prey items — offer pre-killed or frozen-thawed rodents and rabbits, scaling prey size to the snake's girth. Juveniles can be fed every 7–10 days; adults every 2–4 weeks is sufficient. Overfeeding large pythons is a common mistake and should be avoided.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The Papuan olive python is one of the largest pythons found in New Guinea, a vast and biologically rich island that sits between Australia and South-East Asia. Named for the rich olive-brown colouration that adults develop, these snakes are found across a range of humid tropical habitats from lowland forests to riverine zones, and they carry an unmistakable presence — heavy-bodied, smooth-scaled, and genuinely impressive in scale.

This is an advanced-keeper species: their size alone demands commitment, substantial space, and confidence in handling a powerful snake. That said, well-established captive specimens can settle into calm, predictable animals and make for a truly standout collection piece for experienced keepers who can meet their considerable husbandry requirements.