Reticulated python

- Malayopython reticulatus

The Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) it is native to Southeast Asia and western Bangladesh to southeastern Vietnam and on the Indo-Pacific islands west of New Guinea.. Other reports have shown the presence of the Reticulated python in eastern Sudan Africa and in northern Queensland and the Northern Territory in Australia. This species has been introduced to South Florida, as a direct result of the negative effects of pet importation.

The Reticulated python is light yellowish to brown on the dorsal part of its body, with black lines extending from the ventral area of the eyes diagonally to the muzzle. Sometimes there is another black line on the snake's head that extends from the end of the muzzle to the base of the skull or nape of the neck.. Along the back of the Reticulated python there is a repeated pattern of black X's that create diamond-shaped patterns. Younger pythons have been reported to have latitudinal lines with black-rimmed spots along their body..

One way to distinguish this species from similar ones is to examine the upper jaw near the front of the muzzle.. The reticulated python has the presence of a suborbital portion of the maxilla (upper jaw) that lacks a lateral or protruding figure.

In general, this species has shown that females grow much larger than males in terms of size and weight.. The average female can grow up to 6,09 m and 90 kg in contrast to the male who has an average of 4,5 m long and up to 45 kg.

The Reticulated python it is rarely found in captivity and is more commonly found in the wild. Its large size makes it difficult to provide an area large enough to keep a healthy python in captivity.. But, on average, the Reticulated python lives longer in captivity because their environment and food sources are well maintained in a controlled area.

The longest known life of a Reticulated python in captivity is 32 years. This species may have difficulty finding adequate food sources and environmental protection., which may explain why the life of a wild reticulated python is shorter than that of those in captivity. The longest life of a Reticulated python wild is from 23 years compared to 32 years in captivity.

After laying the eggs, the female python incubates them in a nest for a while 90 days until they are ready to hatch. Newborn reticulated pythons use a specialized element called egg tooth, located on the upper lip, to open the eggshell. The young measure approximately 60 cm in length and weigh some 140 g.. Immediately after hatching, the python sheds from the skin. Then it will begin to hide and wait for rodents and small birds to prey on..

The Reticulated python it lives mainly in tropical rainforests, wetlands and grassland forests, at a height of 1200-2500m. The temperature necessary for the correct gestation and survival of the reticulated python should be between ≈24º C and ≈34º C with large amounts of moisture present. The Reticulated python requires an area near an area of water to protect itself, as well as to succeed in predation. Pythons use water as protective camouflage to hide before ambushing their prey. Similar behavior is observed in wetlands, where these species are able to hide under the undergrowth to ambush their prey.

It is known that the Reticulated python occupies areas that usually have a present or nearby water source. This allows you better movement due to its large size. Through the process of lateral progression, the snake is able to contract the muscles and release the muscles simultaneously to create the most commonly recognized serpentine pattern..

Due to the large size of this snake, rectilinear movement, a type of movement in which the snake contracts its body and then unfolds in a linear motion, is most commonly observed because it allows its large size to move more quickly. Using the technique of constriction and deployment a python can climb trees. This is more common in smaller, younger individuals..

Using a similar body movement, the Reticulated python, like all snakes, you must shed your skin to repair wounds or during the developmental stages of life. The molting of skin of snakes is necessary to facilitate the growth of their bodies. These snakes have an indeterminate growth.

The male of the Reticulated python uses vibrations to signal its mating status to the female, that you will choose whether to mate or not. If she decides to mate, the male of this species rubs his body on the female and rubs her with his spurs. Spurs are vestigial hind limbs found in your abdomen. When the female is ready, will raise the tail and mating will occur. The female python can keep the male's sperm inside her until a later date., if weather conditions are not favorable. Females can also have several males mate with them in the same season..

Although it is uncommon, parthenogenesis has been documented in captive pythons. Parthenogenesis is the process of mating without a male. The female fertilizes an egg inside, creating an offspring with identical DNA. It is an adaptation to reproduce even when there are no males.

It is said that the breeding season of the Reticulated python focuses on the months of February and March. Shortly after winter pythons begin to prepare for breeding due to the increase in temperature and the promising summer heat. In most areas it depends on geography due to the need for warmer climates. So that, pythons reproduce according to the climate change of the specific area they inhabit.

The breeding area that is inhabited must be rich in prey so that the female can have offspring. So, the Reticulated python needs a normally undeveloped and uninhabited area to maintain high reproductive performance. The viability of eggs depends on the mother's ability to protect and incubate them, as well as high humidity levels. Adult pythons are usually ready to breed once the male has reached a 2,5 meters in length and some 3,0 meters for females. This is in the range of 3-5 years for both sexes.

If the food is abundant, the female of Reticulated python can have up to one clutch a year. In areas and seasons when food is not as abundant, the size and frequency of the clutches is one clutch each 2 or 3 years. The Reticulated python reproduces more frequently in areas of higher temperature for better gestation. In a year of breeding, a single female can produce 8 to 107 eggs, but the number is usually 25 to 50. The average mass at birth is 0,15 g (rank 0,12-0,17 g). The independence of the offspring is immediate.

It is known that the Reticulated python it feeds mainly on mammals and bird species found in its geographical range. Documented prey types include small bats, tree shrews , and Cervidae deer, even Malay bears (Helarctos malayanus).

The Reticulated python it is considered the snake most likely to consume a human being due to the numerous attacks on people in the wild and the attacks on the owners by this species. Through the organs of the fossa, specialized organs in certain species of snakes that detect radiant heat, the Reticulated python detects the location of the dam by the temperature relationship of the dam with the surrounding area. This allows the python to detect prey and predators without necessarily seeing them..

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

The Reticulated python is not endangered, However, according to CITES Appendix II, the trade and sale of your skin are regulated to ensure that your survival is not compromised. This species is not on the IUCN Red List.

However, the Reticulated python is one of the most hunted snakes worldwide. Due to its large size, this species is hunted and sold internationally for its fur throughout the year. Apart from the skin, the Reticulated python it is so large in size that it is also hunted and sold for its meat..

The great demand for exotic animals has grown, what makes the Reticulated python be captured in the pet market to be sold all over the planet.

It is important to remember that a Reticulated python Adult is technically capable of causing injury or death to a human being, However, attacks in nature are rare, and even rarer attacks in captivity, as long as the snake is well accustomed to manipulation, safely maintained and well fed.

You won't be surprised that you have to increase the size of your vivarium as your cross-linked grows., as well as making sure that the glass fronts are the most resistant, with locks to ensure there are no escapes or unauthorized access to the snake in your absence.

The Reticulated python, like all snakes, they start out quite small when they are young, so any small or medium-sized land or tree nursery should be suitable, provided that the necessary heating equipment can be installed to reach those pleasant subtropical temperatures.

But as they grow and get bigger., you will have to change to the biggest vivariums you can, and consider the possibility of a custom-made vivarium to provide adequate accommodation, just make sure you invest in a sturdy glass!

Most caregivers agree that a Reticulated python you will enjoy more of an environment with a temperature gradient around the 29 degrees Celsius, that allows you to move to the hot side or to the cold side to thermoregulate depending on how you feel.

Although this temperature can be achieved with thermal carpets, most like to keep at least the hot end of their enclosures warm with a point lamp connected to a reliable thermostat to keep it within range.. But, do not forget to use a bulb protector, otherwise you Reticulated python could get too close.

The driest substrates, like aspen, are usually the best, and some people even use unprinted paper, although we can't say that this makes the enclosure look great. The substrate of the Reticulated python should be changed relatively frequently when you relieve yourself, that in adulthood can be of large proportions.

As with most snakes, we recommend that you feed your Reticulated python outside of its normal enclosure to help dissociate your incoming hand with feeding, helping your snake know the difference between handling and feeding and helping to avoid being "tagged", which is a little worse than usual with this species.

As a general rule, it is best to feed your Reticulated python with a frozen rat, or later with a rabbit of comparable size to yours, and repeat this every 7 to 10 days on average.

Most homeowners get to buy a second freezer for their home, as frozen rats and rabbits are cheaper when purchased in bulk and stored.

The price of a "Reticulated python" at the exotic animal market, depends on its sizes and the rarity of its color.
A brood of "Reticulated python" can be sold for a price between 300 – 400 EUR, while adult snakes approach the 1000 EUR.

like all pythons, is a non-poisonous constrictor. The Reticulated python have killed adults (and, in at least two cases, have eaten them).

King cobras and crocodiles feed on the Reticulated python. Eggs and young pythons are vulnerable to predators, like hawks, the eagles, herons and small mammals.

The Reticulated python usually reaches a length of more than 4 m. Its color pattern comprises a complex diamond-shaped pattern that extends along the back.. This pattern in the form of a network is the origin of its name, since "cross-linked" means network.

This type of movement works both on the ground and in trees.. But, pythons can't move very fast: only 1 mile per hour (1,6 kilometres per hour) on open ground. But since they don't have to chase their food, don't need to move quickly.

The green anaconda of South America, member of the boa family, It, kilo per kilo, the largest snake in the world. Your cousin, the Reticulated python, may reach a slightly longer length, but the enormous circumference of the anaconda makes it almost twice as heavy.

An oversized snake has shown its unique ability to climb trees and is as fascinating as it is slightly disconcerting.. Filmed in what is believed to be Thailand, the body of the snake, that has been identified as a Reticulated python, is rolled around the trunk of a tree.

The Reticulated python longer than is known was found in 1912 and measured the staggering number of 10 m, that is to say, more than half the length of a bowling alley and makes this snake longer than the height of a giraffe.

The Reticulated python bite first. Next, "literally in a few seconds", envelops a person's body with its powerful spirals, cutting off blood circulation to the brain, blocking the airways and preventing the chest from expanding. For one or all of these reasons a person would die quickly..

They are also excellent swimmers, and can remain submerged up to 30 minutes before surfaced to take in air.

A Reticulated python adult can survive up to 6 months without eating, but such a long period can be disastrous for the health of the reptile.

The Reticulated python It is a large predatory animal.. As such, they prefer large prey, among which humans are known to be, so they should be considered aggressive.

The Reticulated python young, bred in captivity, it is the easiest to tame. Once the snake is taken out of its cage, hold it in your hands and allow it to crawl through your fingers. Spending time with a young retic acclimatizes her to his touch, smell and company

1. Reticulated python, Retic (English).
2. Python réticulé (French).
3. Netzpython (German).
4. Píton-reticulada (Portuguese).
5. "Pitón reticulada" (español).