Liasis mackloti

Liasis mackloti is a species of python, a nonvenomous snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is endemic to Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and coastal northern Australia. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[3]

Liasis mackloti
Liasis mackloti savuensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pythonidae
Genus:	Liasis
Species:	L. mackloti
Binomial name
Liasis mackloti A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844
Synonyms
Liasis Mackloti A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Python timorensis S. Müller, 1844 Liasis (Simalia) Macklotii — Gray, 1849 Python timorensis — S. Müller, 1857 Liasis mackloti — Boulenger, 1893 Liasis Mackloti — F. Werner, 1897 Liasis macloti Barbour, 1912 (ex errore) Liasis mackloti mackloti — Stull, 1932 Liasis mackloti dunni Stull, 1932 Lisalia mackloti — Wells & Wellington, 1985 Morelia mackloti — Underwood & Stimson, 1990 Liasis mackloti — Kluge, 1993[1]

Common names: Macklot's python,[2]freckled python[3]

Etymology

The specific name, mackloti, is in honor of naturalist and taxidermist Heinrich Christian Macklot.[4]

Description

Attaining 7 ft (2.13 m) or more in total length (including tail), Macklot's python is large and if not treated properly can be a poor-tempered snake. Its coloration consists of a blackish-brown to green base color, with yellow to ochre sides, and a white belly that is patterned with small and dispersed yellow spots or black speckles, while the labial scales are pale in color.

Reproduction

Liasis mackloti is known to breed easily in captivity.[2] It is oviparous.[3]

Geographic range

Liasis mackloti is found in Indonesia in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Savu, Roti, Samao, Timor and Wetar, in East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and coastal northern Australia.[3] The type locality given is "les îles de Timor et de Samao ". Brongersma (1968) restricted the type locality to "Timor" by lectotype designation.[1]

Subspecies

Subspecies[3]	Taxon author[3]	Common name	Geographic range
L. m. mackloti	A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844	Macklot's python	Timor and Wetar, East Nusa Tenggara
L. m. dunni	Stull, 1932	Dunn's python
L. m. savuensis	Stull, 1932	Savu python	Savu, East Nusa Tenggara

Exotic trade and captive care

Liasis mackloti is a snake that is known and sold in the live exotic animal trade, or exotic pet trade, bringing it far beyond its native range, to as far as the United Kingdom, and North America, where it is sold and kept in captivity from pet stores, speciality shops, and conventions.

Gallery

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References

1. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
2. Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
3. Liasis mackloti at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 30 June 2017.
4. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Liasis mackloti, p. 165).

Further reading

• Boulenger GA (1893). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families ... Boidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I-XXVIII. (Liasis mackloti, p. 79).
• Duméril A-M-C, Bibron G (1844). Erpétologie générale ou Histoire naturelle complète des Reptiles, Tome sixième [= General Herpetology or Complete Natural History of the Reptiles, Volume 6 ]. Paris: Roret. xii + 609 pp. (Liasis mackloti, new species, pp. 440–442). (in French).