Does anyone here keep Olive Pythons?

After a year or so of researching and preparing, I recently purchased my first snake. A juvenile female Olive Python. I realize this is an unusual choice for a first snake but I decided to just get the snake I had my heart set on from the get go. It's plausible she'll be my only snake so she'll get my full attention.

I've had her for about 10 days and have been really focusing on getting her husbandry dialed. I thought I had it pretty well sorted before her arrival but keeping the humidity above 55% has been difficult once the substrate dried out a bit. I have two water bowls in her enclosure, one on the hot side, one on the cool, and am misting multiple times per day. I may end up having to get a misting setup.

So far I've fed her two rat pups, one week apart. I had zero issue getting her to eat :) . I'm still waiting for her to poop though! She did the day I got her before I fed her but hasn't since, so it's been about 8 days. I was diligent to ensure she did not ingest any substrate.

My biggest concern I need to sort out currently is that she is able to get onto the lip of my sweeter heater radiant heat panel. It's not hot on the ledge but I still don't want her up there. I've ordered PVC to make a guard that will surround the perimeter of it. A company called Dragon Haus made this product but they've gone out of business.

If anyone here keeps olives, please double check my current setup:

6x2x2 enclosure. 100w radiant heat panel, 2 water bowls, coco chip substrate, hides at each end. Daytime heat is set to 87.5f on my herpstat which my infrared thermometer shows as a bit over 90f on the substrate of the hot side. Cool side seems to be around 78-80f. At night, the heat drops to 78. Feeding one rat pup per week. I may buy smaller prey though as it does seem a bit on the large side.

Thanks!

Congrats on your critter! I don’t keep olives or any Liasis species but have several carpet pythons in my collection.
Temps and such sound good in the enclosure and could probably come down a few degrees if it’s over 90° on the floor hot side. Much larger than I’d keep any juvenile in, but if they’re eating reliably and not stressed then play it by ear.
8 days without pooping is nothing. In that large an enclosure with that small of a snake it could be hiding somewhere. Growing snakes also use a good deal of their prey towards growth and other caloric needs and as such may not go as often. You’ll notice a “sausage butt” if they get backed up a bit. More often than not it’s nothing to be overly concerned about.
A guard around the RHP isn’t a bad idea. I’m assuming it’s already controlled by a thermostat?
Welcome to the great world of snake keeping. Post pictures if you can. Mind me asking who you obtained your critter from?

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Congrats on your critter! I don’t keep olives or any Liasis species but have several carpet pythons in my collection.
Temps and such sound good in the enclosure and could probably come down a few degrees if it’s over 90° on the floor hot side. Much larger than I’d keep any juvenile in, but if they’re eating reliably and not stressed then play it by ear.
8 days without pooping is nothing. In that large an enclosure with that small of a snake it could be hiding somewhere. Growing snakes also use a good deal of their prey towards growth and other caloric needs and as such may not go as often. You’ll notice a “sausage butt” if they get backed up a bit. More often than not it’s nothing to be overly concerned about.
Welcome to the great world of snake keeping. Post pictures if you can. Mind me asking who you obtained your critter from?

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Thanks for the reply. I was strongly considering a coastal carpet python but diverted to the olive at some point. They do seem to be somewhat similar from my VERY limited experience. I got her from Joseph Szczesniak on Morph Market.

I agree that the enclosure is on the big side but she seems to be doing just fine with it. She uses the whole thing at night. I'm going to add a shelf on the hot side that will be 1 foot tall and probably 24 inches wide. I may also add some type of perch/branch for her to climb since she seems like she'd use it.

She seems to spend the vast majority of her time on the hot side and since I find her up on the heat panel most mornings when I check on her, it makes me think I'm not keeping her too hot. I'm wondering if the infrared thermometer is accurate. The probe for the heat panel is about 3 inches above the substrate and it's at 87.5f. I have two other temp/humidity gauges in the enclosure although one needs to be moved. It's too close to the light and that seems to really throw it off while the light is on during the day.

I'll try to get some good pictures. The ones I've taken so far are pretty terrible. I've been handling her a bit but she's always moving during handling so it's not conducive to pictures. I'm still nervous with her as well but once out of the enclosure she seems to do pretty well. (she bit me during the unboxing which was entirely my fault (I didn't close the enclosure right away and she tagged me before I closed the door)).

Huh. Searched that seller name on morph market and there’s no one listed.

I had to swear off going to the local herp store for awhile because they had an olive python in and he was so handsome I didn't trust myself lol. They're very captivating, they seem to have a lot of personality like a carpet, hope you enjoy getting to know yours! El-Ziggy I believe has an olive: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?267424-So-Shiny

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Huh. Searched that seller name on morph market and there’s no one listed.

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It looks like his store isn't up anymore. Weird. We've been in communication post purchase and he had a Boa on there as of a couple weeks ago.

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Originally Posted by plateOfFlan

I had to swear off going to the local herp store for awhile because they had an olive python in and he was so handsome I didn't trust myself lol. They're very captivating, they seem to have a lot of personality like a carpet, hope you enjoy getting to know yours! El-Ziggy I believe has an olive: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?267424-So-Shiny

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Nice, thanks for sharing that link. Maybe I'll reach out to him.

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Originally Posted by parashootist

She seems to spend the vast majority of her time on the hot side and since I find her up on the heat panel most mornings when I check on her, it makes me think I'm not keeping her too hot. I'm wondering if the infrared thermometer is accurate. The probe for the heat panel is about 3 inches above the substrate and it's at 87.5f. I have two other temp/humidity gauges in the enclosure although one needs to be moved. It's too close to the light and that seems to really throw it off while the light is on during the day.

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I asked in my initial reply about Thermostat but still haven’t seen a response. Is the RHP controlled by a thermostat? I see thermoMETER probes mentioned here but nothing about a thermoSTAT.

If maintaining humidity is an issue I would swap out the coco chip for cypress mulch. Cypress seems to soak up a lot more water and release it slowly. Of course it does eventually dry out but it's easy enough to mix with water to rewet it.

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

I asked in my initial reply about Thermostat but still haven’t seen a response. Is the RHP controlled by a thermostat? I see thermoMETER probes mentioned here but nothing about a thermoSTAT.

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Sorry, I missed that question. It's in my last paragraph of my initial post. The RHP is connected to a Herpstat 2. I bought the Herpstat 2 because I eventually intend to hook up some heat tape to supplement the RHP. I already have the heat tape. I just need to build something to elevate the enclosure off the floor a bit.

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Originally Posted by parashootist

Sorry, I missed that question. It's in my last paragraph of my initial post. The RHP is connected to a Herpstat 2. I bought the Herpstat 2 because I eventually intend to hook up some heat tape to supplement the RHP. I already have the heat tape. I just need to build something to elevate the enclosure off the floor a bit.

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Whoops, sorry. I thought I reread thoroughly but missed it in that last paragraph.
As for your humidity issue. I also use coco chips and find they hold humidity longer if used in a thicker substrate layer.

What I did yesterday was re-wet a section of the coco fiber which seems to have helped. Humidity has stayed in the mid 50's since then. So I likely just need to re-wet the substrate every so often which makes sense.

This is more of a general question versus an Olive specific one. What is the best way to get a snake out of their enclosure when they're at the door? It seems like often when I go in to take her out, she comes right to the door and then either perches on the door ledge or climbs the glass a bit. She basically stays there as long as I'm in the room. Now if I leave, she does move away from the glass.

Hook/tap training. Every time you go into the cage, aren’t feeding, and need to directly interact with the animal you give them a very gentle touch with a hook/paper towel roll/etc to let them know that food isn’t about to happen. Over time they’ll learn to turn off so to speak after a tap and before you enter the enclosure

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Hook/tap training. Every time you go into the cage, aren’t feeding, and need to directly interact with the animal you give them a very gentle touch with a hook/paper towel roll/etc to let them know that food isn’t about to happen. Over time they’ll learn to turn off so to speak after a tap and before you enter the enclosure

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Thanks. I've been trying to tap train with a hook each time but I guess I'm a bit nervous to open the door when she is perched on the ledge at the door or pressed against the glass. So in these instances I have been just leaving her be. I'd like to gain the confidence where I'm willing to open the door even if she is right up to it. I suppose it just takes time.

Yep. You're going to land some bites acclimating her. The more you act timid and as though you're going to be bit, the more you'll get bit. I'm currently calming down a yearling island boa that would gladly bleed me out given the opportunity. I just don't let it bother me and she's calming right down. May be a slightly steeper learning curve with a more assertive species such as yours, but with a box of bandaids and some confidence you should be fine eventually

There are quite a few Youtube videos about how to handle defensive snakes, especially babies. These are two good ones. The first also explains how tap training is used for older snake to break the feeding response.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DjxcPfm-2M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XupmYQ5ywNI

Thanks guys! I've certainly watched a bunch of videos on the subject, now I just need to quit being a wuss haha.

I have no experience with Olive pythons or other giants, but I've kept plenty of good-sized & "overly-enthused" snakes. Another thing that might help you "change the channel" on your snake is a spray bottle of plain water (sprayed in their face). It's harmless, easy to use (snakes drink in the rain!) & is just another way to signal a snake that it's not dinnertime, without the risk that they'll grab the hook you're trying to tap them with. Again, it's just a thought, not a guarantee. Got long sleeves? :D

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I have no experience with Olive pythons or other giants, but I've kept plenty of good-sized & "overly-enthused" snakes. Another thing that might help you "change the channel" on your snake is a spray bottle of plain water (sprayed in their face). It's harmless, easy to use (snakes drink in the rain!) & is just another way to signal a snake that it's not dinnertime, without the risk that they'll grab the hook you're trying to tap them with. Again, it's just a thought, not a guarantee. Got long sleeves? :D

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Haha, I've been wearing long sleeves and thin gloves although the gloves ruin the experience in my opinion so I plan to stop that very soon. Honestly once I pick her up she seems totally fine. Even in the enclosure she usually seems chill. It kind of seems like if I opened the door and put my hand there she'd just climb right on (or slither over and bite me haha). She seems agitated when I mist the enclosure but I'll consider it as a tool and may try it. Thanks

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Originally Posted by parashootist

... She seems agitated when I mist the enclosure but I'll consider it as a tool and may try it. Thanks

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I'd imagine that's because the spray touches her body in many places at once- causing a defensive reaction to "the unknown threat". Try narrowing the spray & aim for the face- more like a drinking fountain. :cool:

Another way I communicate with snakes is to offer something with my scent on it. (& make sure there's no scent of prey, haha!) You wouldn't want to use any fabric that snake teeth would hang up on too much- I'm thinking more along the lines of the sleeve (cuff) of a heavy jacket (make of densely woven fabric) that you impart your scent to first- rub it on your hair & hands. Many "enthused" snakes back off once they get our (yucky!) scent instead of what they're hoping for.

Just another way to signal to a snake. Or instead of your scent on that sleeve, use something harmless but repulsive to them. (like a bit of vinegar, etc.) Have fun-:D

Once she comes down from the radiant heat panel, I'm going to take her out! (The materials to resolve this issue should arrive Monday)

Small victory. She was down from the RHP so after a bit of floundering, I tapped her with the hook and took her out. She did great. No striking or any real defensiveness during handling that my untrained eyes could detect. She didn't even seem too head shy. I kept her out just for about 5 minutes but I'm calling it a win. Hopefully I can repeat tonight. I also cleaned a couple piles of urates out 😀 haha

I call that a win too-:gj: Humans intimidate snakes & snakes intimidate humans- we just have to find ways to communicate, using some signals to reduce threats & mistakes, & a bit of patience.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I call that a win too-:gj: Humans intimidate snakes & snakes intimidate humans- we just have to find ways to communicate, using some signals to reduce threats & mistakes, & a bit of patience.

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Absolutely, her and I are learning together. I think tonight I will lose the gloves but keep the long sleeve shirt.

Since she's nocturnal, I'm trying to handle her during her awake hours although it would certainly be nice to be able to take her out during the day sometimes.

Good thread going here!

Any chance you can post some photos of the caging and the snake?

Almost everything I've read in text, seen in videos, and learned from keepers here about Olive pythons is that they settle quickly.

They do have a huge feeding response, and sometimes they have been known to latch on to a keeper during handling for no reason other than hunger issues.

Learning your snake's demeanor should help you avoid that.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have going on.

Thanks! I'll try to get some pictures now and then after I make improvements this week. I've found it very difficult to get good pictures of her with the glass in the way and we're not at the point where I can take pictures while handling her.

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Originally Posted by Gio

Good thread going here!

Any chance you can post some photos of the caging and the snake?

Almost everything I've read in text, seen in videos, and learned from keepers here about Olive pythons is that they settle quickly.

They do have a huge feeding response, and sometimes they have been known to latch on to a keeper during handling for no reason other than hunger issues.

Learning your snake's demeanor should help you avoid that.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have going on.

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Held her tonight without gloves. I also put her back into the enclosure and took her out a second time for additional practice getting her out. I didn't hesitate tonight which felt good. I kept the handling session short, just 5 minutes or so but I plan to increase them a bit each time. She definitely doesn't sit still, it's like juggling haha!

don’t keep olives but raw peat is a v good way to maintain higher humidity levels

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Originally Posted by YungRasputin

don’t keep olives but raw peat is a v good way to maintain higher humidity levels

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Thanks, I will look into it.

During tonight's handling session she actually calmed down and coiled around my arm for a bit. It was really nice. I think she's going to turn our to be a great handling snake.

Also she pooped so my (likely irrational) worry that it had been too long (it had only been 11 days) has been relieved.

The materials to build a shelf and RHP skirt should arrive tomorrow or Tuesday. I'll try and get some pictures then while I have the doors off. I did snap one picture of her tonight while handling, I'll try and figure out how to upload it.

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Originally Posted by parashootist

Thanks, I will look into it.

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I would be very careful where you source your substrate from.

Raw Peat is good for keeping moisture but it is typically offered at gardening centers and landscaping businesses.

You will get a lot of extra wildlife if you are not careful.

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Originally Posted by Gio

I would be very careful where you source your substrate from.

Raw Peat is good for keeping moisture but it is typically offered at gardening centers and landscaping businesses.

You will get a lot of extra wildlife if you are not careful.

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Absolutely. Currently using Viagrow Coco Chips. When I received then I baked the amount I used for a half hour at 250 degrees. I won't use anything that might introduce unwanted things into the enclosure.