Reticulated Python - Python reticulatus
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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: 25OC to 28OC (85 to 90 F) during the day and down to 23OC (80 F) 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.

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