New pair of Macklots

[TrpnBils]

picked up a pair of '08s for $100 yesterday. I like these guys!

Can someone clarify their classification for me? I'm finding all of these references to them as both Liasis mackloti and Katrinus mackloti. Was there a change in classification in the past few years?

I'm also seeing references to Macklots, Water, and Freckled pythons being the same species....but I'm finding more references saying that they're all their own species.

As far as I can tell, Liasis (Katrinus) mackloti is the species, and then mackloti, fuscus, and dunni are all subspecies based on locality...does that sound right?

Last but not least, here's the female... the male is a little lighter, but I'm curious to see what they look like after a shed.

[reaxion07]

Whoa, those are awesome! What's the setup look like?

[TrpnBils]

The setup is something new... I'm experimenting with bioactive substrate setups with these two. The substrate looks waterlogged in the third picture there, but I had just wet it down... it's holding about 80% humidity right now. They love their plants too, That's the female's tank there, and a couple of more pictures from tonight. Thanks for looking!

[juddb]

Fantastic looking animals! Nice setup's as well. I was keeping pothos with my chondro's before, and just over the weekend added pothos again for a few of my bigger animals, i think they really benefit from live plants

[Lucas339]

Liasis mackloti is the correct name with the others being subspecies. (http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt)

Katrinus does not show up as a genus (http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt).

ITIS.gov is the way to go for all things taxonomic!!!

[TrpnBils]

That's interesting... one of the things I had read said that Katrinus was actually the newest classification. Not only is there not a lot of information out there about these guys, there's a lot of misinformation too!

[Lucas339]

that site was updated in Jan of 09 so not sure on that. that genus didn't come up at all. if it was an old genus, it would of said unverified or unvalid like this for GTPs old genus (http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt)

[reaxion07]

For some reason, I've been on a pics of different setups kick. I don't know why, I think it's because I was looking at different turtle setups for hours. That's really neat. What are they like compared to Green Tree Pythons?

[TrpnBils]

For some reason, I've been on a pics of different setups kick. I don't know why, I think it's because I was looking at different turtle setups for hours. That's really neat. What are they like compared to Green Tree Pythons?

Well, I've kept GTPs before (I'm actually incubating 10 eggs for a friend right now), but I'm new to the Macklots so I can't make too many comparisons. From what I've read and heard from other owners, they calm down after they're about 6 months or a year old, but right now they're both striking at the glass and I have to use a makeshift snake hook to pick them up. It's not that a bite from one at this size is that bad, but I like to hook train all of my snakes so I don't accidentally get nailed. That, and I don't want them breaking any teeth off or anything.

GTPs are arboreal, and the Macklots are only semi-arboreal. So far, mine have spent about equal amounts of time on the ground and in the plants...I don't know how much of that is because of the species and how much of it is because of the age though. After all, hatchlings of a lot of species are more arboreal than the adults.

[TrpnBils]

that site was updated in Jan of 09 so not sure on that. that genus didn't come up at all. if it was an old genus, it would of said unverified or unvalid like this for GTPs old genus (http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt)

Yeah that's weird... I'd trust ITIS and ISIS more than just random websites though, so I'm sure it's right. It's just odd that there are so many references out there to a genus that isn't even recognized. Here's one of them... http://www.tailsnscales.com/waterpythoncaresheet.htm and there are a bunch of others, but some are on other forums that I'm not sure if I'm allowed to link to on here.