MyReticulated Python

Name: Reticulated python
Scientific Name: Python reticulatus
Also Known As: Retic

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Boidae
Genus: Python
Species: Python reticulates

The word “reticulated” refers to the skin pattern of the snake–large splotches of one color, with relatively thin lines of another color that surround the splotches. Another animal, the reticulated giraffe, has a similar color pattern.

The reticulated python is a non-venomous species of snake found mostly in Southeast Asia. It’s considered the longest snake in the world–the longest reticulated python ever to be found was about 33 feet long! This is longer than the longest anaconda. Most reticulated pythons in captivity will exceed 12 feet.

While the reticulated python has the longest geographic range of any snake in the world, its numbers are dwindling. The reticulated python is exploited in the skin trade, with many of them being slaughtered not only for their hides but their meat. I wonder what the reticulated python tastes like?

Description

The reticulated python is the king of constrictor snakes. Its size and strength trumps others in the snake world, and its rich and strange color patterns make it stand out amongst the other boids, or non-venomous snakes. Regarding captivity, the reticulated python is not a snake for everyone. It does, however, have a small but loyal following. Skilled keepers and herpers continue to breed reticulated pythons and provide proper care for them. The reticulated python is not a beginner snake–previous experience in dealing with large and powerful snakes is highly recommended. Even the most docile of snakes may require an extreme feeding response.

The reticulated python is slender in length and has a highly muscular and round girth. Most other constrictors flatten out. These humongous snakes are extremely variable in design, but most of them have a net-like or rope-like pattern on a silver or tan background. The skin has a lustrous sheen and can change colors. A reticulated python can live up to 30 years in captivity!