The Timor Python is a medium sized snake that is native to parts of Indonesia.
Timor Python Taxonomy
The Timor Python belongs to the Pythonidae family of snakes. This essentially means that the snake is a Python. Other families of snake include Boas, Colubrids, Elapids and Vipers.
The Python family contains some of the largest snakes in the world. The family has 10 different genera and 42 different species at the latest count. This will continue to change as more species are discovered and reclassified.
Pythons are native to Africa, Asia and Australia. However, while a number of species can be found in parts of the United States, these snakes were introduced and are considered invasive species. One example is the Burmese Python in Florida.
The genus that the Timor Python belongs to is called Malayopython. This genus is native to India and South-East Asia and contains only two species. The other species in this genus is the Reticulated Python.
Both the Timor Python and the Reticulated Python were originally classified under the genus ‘Python’, which included them as part of the ‘True Python’ species.
However, a number of different studies concluded that these species as distinct and were actually a sister lineage of the Indo-Australian pythons rather than the genus Python.
The scientific name for the Timor Python is Malayopython timoriensis.
Timor Python Description
They have a stunning brown and olive-green speckled pattern along their back. The head of the snake is slightly wider than the neck which makes it protrude out around the jawline of the snake.
They have a relatively long tail although it is not prehensile. Like many python species, Timor pythons have a series of heat-sensing pits between their nostrils and mouth.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Timor Python is native to a small part of South East Asia known as the Lesser Sunda Islands. The islands that this snake can be found on include Flores, Lombien and Timor, which is where this snake gets its name. This island is also home to the Timor Monitor.
The Lesser Sunda Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, to the North of Western Australia. The most popular of these islands is Bali, but the Timor Python is not found on this island.
The Timor Python can primarily be found in habitats such as open forests or grasslands.
Timor Python Feeding
You should start feeding Timor Python babies Rat Pups from birth if they are big enough to take them. If you begin feeding mice, you may have difficulty switching them over when they are older. An adult Timor Python will need a diet of rats as mice will not provide them with enough nutrients.
You should aim to feed you babies one rat pup every 7 days. These snakes are usually great eaters and will rarely refuse a meal.
You can reduce the frequency of feedings for adults to one meal every 10-14 days if you want. If you are doing this, you will need to ensure the meal is large enough for the snake to keep them full.
You can also continue to feed them on a weekly basis if you want by keeping the meals on the smaller size. A typical rule of thumb is to feed your snakes rats that are slightly smaller than your snake, at the snakes largest point.
Timor Python Enclosure
A Juvenile Timor Python can be housed in an enclosure measuring around 1ft x 1ft x 1ft. Height is important as these snakes are semi-arboreal and will enjoy a few branches to climb on. As the snake grows, you will need to increase the size of the enclosure.
An adult Timor Python can be housed in an enclosure measuring around 3ft x 2ft x 2ft. You can go larger and give them a 4ft x 2ft enclosure if you want or give them the extra height to climb.
It is important to have several branches or ledges for your snake to climb on. This is a semi-arboreal species and will spend plenty of time off the ground if given the opportunity.
A clean water bowl should always be present along with at least 2 hides, one at the warm end and the other in the cool end of the enclosure. You can even offer the snake a hide box.
Light and Heat
You will need to provide your Timor Python with a thermal gradient so that they can regulate their body temperature. You will need to provide them with a basking spot of around 88F. This can be provided using an under-tank heat mat or an overhead ceramic or heat bulb.
Whatever heat source you choose, make sure it is connected to a good quality thermostat. This will ensure that the temperature in the enclosure remains constant and does not get dangerously hot.
The cool side of a Timor Python can drop to 70-75F. With this drop in temperature, your snake will have the ability to cool down.
You do not need to provide any special lighting in your snake’s enclosure. They should, however, be exposed to an adequate day/night cycle. Aim for about 12 hours of light during the summer months. This can be reduced by a few hours during the winter.
Substrate
These snakes will do well on a wide variety of substrates. You can use newspaper or paper towel if you want a substrate that is easy to clean and change out or you can go for a more naturalistic substrate.
Some great options include Aspen, Eco Earth, Orchid Bark and Coco Fibre. It is important to spot clean your Timor Python enclosure whenever its soiled. You should look to completely change the bedding and sterilise the enclosure every month or so.