Water Python

Identification and appearance

A dark brown to black python with an iridescent sheen and a yellow belly. The upper body is usually unpatterned. It is associated with northern waterways and wetlands.

Other names

Brown Water Python

Typical length

AROD lists an average size of about 250 cm and a reported maximum of 300 cm.

Key identification features

• Dark brown to black upperparts with an iridescent sheen
• Yellow underside
• Northern waterways and floodplains

Where it is found

Northern Australia.

Habitat

In the Cairns region, Water Pythons occur near water in eucalypt woodland.

Activity

Mainly active at night.

Diet

Reptiles (including young crocodiles), mammals, birds, bird eggs.

Reproduction

Egg-laying; AROD reports an average clutch size of 10.

Medical significance

Non-venomous, but capable of biting. If identity is uncertain and a bite is suspected, call 000 and follow snakebite first aid.

What to do if you encounter one

Keep your distance and leave the snake a clear route away. Do not handle it, chase it for a photograph or attempt to inspect its mouth. If it is inside a building, keep people and pets clear and contact a qualified local snake catcher.

Similar-looking snakes

Photo: Brendan Costello · CC BY 4.0 (Licence)

Pythonidae

Olive Python

Liasis olivaceus

A very large olive python of drier northern Australia. The Pilbara subspecies occurs in Western Australia, while the species-level range also includes the Northern Territory and Queensland.

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