Name: Reticulated Python
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species: Reticulated Python. (Schneider 1801) On increasingly rare occasions, one can find it listed as “Regal Python” or “Java Rock Python” as well.

Distribution: Reticulated Pythons have quite a wide distribution in the wild and can be found in Indochina, Nicobar Islands, Borneo, Sulawesi, Myanmar (ex-Burma), Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Timor of the Philippines. Being widespread, it is heavily exploited for the skin trade. It is Red listed by CITES, that is, it is in danger of extinction.

Anatomical Characteristics: Reticulated Pythons have variable pattern but usually have a net-like pattern along their body. Reticulated is derived from the Latin word Reticulum which means “little net”. This pattern is formed from a series of irregular diamond shapes positioned on the back. Smaller, lighter markings lie next to the diamond shaped borders, together forming a net-like pattern. The head has no markings. Retics, as they are affectionately known, hatch from eggs and start off at only 26-35 inches (66- 89cm) long, weighing 4-5 ounces (113- 142 g). Reticulated Pythons grow to be the longest snakes in the world, although not the heaviest, as they have a slim, well rounded, muscular body compared to Anacondas, for example, whose mid-section tends to flatten out. Retics can potentially grow to 30 feet (9.12 m) long. The longest snake ever measured was 32ft 9.5in (9.87m). They can weigh up to 350 lbs (158 kg) fully grown. They possess 100 sharp teeth which are curved inwards. Reticulated Pythons can live up to between 25-30 years in captivity.

Behavioral Characteristics: They do not usually attack or are confrontational to humans. In the wild, a Reticulated Python lives a non-social, solitary life and is a predator. They live next to rivers and ponds and are confident with water It has an aggressive feeding response. They kill their prey by grabbing it in their mouth, locking it with its 100 teeth, whilst its body coils around the rest of the victim. Its constricts the prey with enough pressure as to stop the prey from breathing, thus suffocating it to death. It then swallows its prey whole. Wild caught Reticulated Pythons tend not to settle well in captivity and will often bite their handlers, and will try to escape. Wild caught Retics are not recommended for beginners and inexperienced handlers. However, captive bred Reticulated Pythons, if handled frequently from a young age, can become very tame pets with no signs of aggressiveness.

Sexing: Female Reticulated Pythons are larger than males.

Feeding: Reticulated Pythons need lots of drinking water and can be fed a variety of mammals, including mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. The larger they grow the less frequently they should be fed. Eventually, one rabbit every 15 days should suffice. As captive bred Retics do not develop the same immunity to viruses as wild ones, they should be given only purposely bred prey. No wild caught prey must be fed to Retics as these may harbor potentially lethal parasites. The size of the food supplied should be in direct proportion to the size of the Reticulated Python, otherwise there is a risk of intestinal obstruction, a potentially lethal condition.

Buying: As Reticulated Pythons grow to such an extent, it is suitable only for experienced handlers. Try to avoid buying wild caught Retics as they tend to remain aggressive and never really settle well into captive life. Provide large, child and escape-proof enclosures which have a temperature gradient of between a minimum of 73°F and a maximum of 92°F. Reticulated Pythons enjoy hiding places in the different temperature gradients.