.gif)
Reticulated Python - Python reticulatus
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||
| Reticulated pythons are very attractive animals. They are generally very nervous which makes them likely to strike and bite defensively whenever confronted. Furthermore, most reticulated pythons sold in pet stores are wild caught. In short, think seriously about adult size, temperament, and origin when purchasing a reptile. (Photo: Joshua V. Feltham) | GET IN MY BELLY! This is a pretty impressive gape. Reggie, Reptilia's 6+ metre reticulated python yawns as she begins to shed. You can clearly see her windpipe, the hollow, pink, tube-like structure in her lower jaw. A snake's windpipe actually protrudes from its mouth to keep the airway open while the snake is eating. | Reticulated pythons are renowned for being an extremely large and nervous snake. Those are two qualities that definitely don't mix well. Even getting this shot required a huge amount of courage on the photographer's part! (Photo: Joshua V. Feltham) | Reticulated pythons are among the most beautiful snakes in the world. Their beauty attracts pet owners to these snakes but their size makes them difficult and potentially dangerous to manage in a private home. (Photo: Joshua V. Feltham) | |||||||
General Information
Distribution — Indo China, Indonesia and the Philippines
Habitat — Hot, humid, lowland jungles. Often frequents water and is known to be a very good swimmer.
Adult Size — The Reticulated Python is the longest species of snake in the world and may attain lengths of up to 9 meters (approx. 30 feet); however, no one has ever officially reported a living Reticulated Python that was 9 meters in length.
Temperament — Highly sensitive and prone to become defensive with the slightest hint of a threat. For this reason this snake is often referred to as an aggressive species; however, it should be more appropriately described as incredibly defensive. In general, the reticulated python is unpredictable and should always be treated with extreme caution.
Longevity — Reticulated Pythons can be expected to live to be between 20 - 25 years in captivity with the proper care.
Captive Care
Rating: 5 — Due to this animal's unpredictable nature and large adult size, it is potentially dangerous. This species is banned within the GTA because adults easily attain lengths greater than 3 meters (subadults easily attain lengths greater than 3 meters!). This species does not belong in the hands of anyone but the most experienced keeper.
Diet: Young - rats and other small to medium sized rodents; Adults - large rodents, small mammals, birds
Temperature: 25C to 28C (85 to 90F) during the day and down to 23C (80F) at night.
Space: Due to its large adult size, this snake requires a room sized enclosure to adequately house it; therefore, it is not well suited to being kept at home.
Breeding: Males reach sexual maturity at approx. 3-4 yrs of age while females reach maturity at approx. 4 yrs of age. Mating season is between the months of September to November with oviposition (egg laying) occurring from December through to May. The eggs gestate for 2 to 3 months before hatching depending on incubation temperatures. Higher incubation temperatures reduce the gestation period while lower temperatures increase it.
Special Requirements: This snake is one of the few species of snake that can and will consume a human. That is not to say that they search for human prey so much as they take advantage of any opportunity to feed when they are hungry. Therefore, these animals should not be kept at home. They are potentially dangerous and require a great deal of space.
Sources (Suggested Reading):
Mattison, Chris. 1995. Keeping and Breeding Snakes. Cassell Publishing, London, UK. Pp. 184.
Ross, Richard A. and Gerald Marzec. 1990. The Reproductive Husbandry of Pythons and Boas. The Institute for Herpetological Research Stanford, California. Pp. 270.
Stoops, Erik d. and Annette T. Wright. 1993. Boas & Pythons: Breeding and Care. TFH Publications, Inc. Neptune City, NJ. Pp. 192.
Walls, Jerry G. 1998. The Living Pythons: A Complete Guide to the Pythons of the World. TFH Publications, Inc. Neptune City, NJ. Pp. 256.