For diagnostic information refer to Bulian (1994), O'Shea (1996), Stafford (1986) and references therein.

The type locality is Timor. The species is found on the Lesser Sunda Islands to the West of New Guinea. These include Timor, Semao and Wetar. Semao is geographically adjacent to Timor. It is uncertain if the K. mackloti found there are of the same subspecies as is found on Timor.

At least one other author has raised the possibility that it may be a different taxa, at least at the subspecies level. L. mackloti is distinctly mottled in appearance as opposed to the Brown Water Pythons (fuscus) from mainland Australia and southern New Guinea. McDowell (1975) and Smith (1981) erroneously stated that there is no difference between Katrinus fuscus and K. mackloti.

Bulian (1994) gave a series of differences between the two species. They are listed in slightly altered form below:

Body shape:

mackloti - Head clearly distinct from neck. Head medium to large and averaging about 6 cm in adults. Adult females usually up to 2.8m, males 2.5m in total length.

fuscus - Head is slightly distinct from neck. Head is relatively small and averaging about 4 cm in adults. Adult females average up to 2m and males 1.7m in total length.

Pattern:

mackloti - Head brown, dorsum middle to dark grey with brown spots. Anterior third of the venter is yellow, the rest of the venter is greyish white.

fuscus - Dorsal and head pattern is a uniform olive brown. The venter is bright yellow to egg-yolk yellow.

Behaviour:

mackloti - Usually calm and peaceful behaviour, but there are some exceptions. Voracious feeders.

fuscus - Aggressive behavior. The species has a reputation for biting.

The above was from the paper - A revision of the Australiasian Pythons.
(Originally published in Ophidia Review 1(1) in "Autumn" 2000 - (Publication date: October 2000), pp. 7-27).

For the text of the full paper

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