Prey is killed by constriction, with death resulting due to compression of the lungs (suffocation) and heart failure (trauma to the heart and blood vessels). The range of animals taken is vast and includes an astonishing variety of reptiles, mammals, amphibians and birds. Adults concentrate on large prey items such as monkeys, deer, antelope, wild pigs and monitor lizards. There are authenticated reports of sub-adult tigers, leopards and crocodiles being consumed, and people have been taken on several occasions. Domestic geese, ducks, chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, dogs and cats are on their menu around farms and in cities.Īll pythons have thermo-receptive sensory pits, located along the upper jaw, that assist in locating warm-blooded animals at night. The hatchlings are 30-32 inches long-large enough to consume adult mice right away and become sexually mature at a length of approximately 10 feet. Female Reticulated Pythons engage in a “shivering” motion that can raise their core temperatures and the temperature of the egg clutch.įemales deposit 30-100 eggs after a gestation period of 100-150 days. In common with related species, the female protects her eggs and incubates them. LongevityĬaptives have survived for over 30 years unknown in the wild. The Reticulated Python is listed on CITES Appendix II Fortunately, it breeds well in captivity. However, it is also heavily utilized in the skin trade and for food in some parts of the range…from 2000-2007 Malaysia and Indonesia exported over 2,600,000 wild-caught snakes, and a good many more were likely unreported. The range is expanding in some places due to human activities Retics may establish new populations in agricultural and urban areas, where they prey upon rodents and domestic animals. Woodlands, rainforests, brushy grasslands, overgrown fields, swamps, riversides, farms and towns are all utilized, and it is established in several large cities, including Bangkok and Singapore. Habitatĭespite its massive size, the Reticulated Python is extremely adaptable and occupies a wide variety of habitats a nearby source of water is common to most. The 2 island races are much smaller than the nominate subspecies, and are becoming well-established in the pet trade. jampeanus, found only on Tamahjampea Island, Indonesia. saputrai, limited to Selayer Island in the Flores Sea and B. Three subspecies have been described – Broghammerus reticulatus reticulatus, found throughout most of the range, B. It may be found in India, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, and is capable of crossing stretches of open ocean to colonize islands. This snake occupies a huge range that extends throughout much of east and Southeast Asia, including many adjacent islands. Although striking when viewed up close, these markings provide excellent camouflage by disrupting the snake’s outline among fallen leaves and shadows. The background color is yellowish-tan, marked with an intricate, lattice-like (“reticulated”) pattern of black blotches and oval markings. While impressive, she measured a “mere” 21 feet…but was, I learned, far more powerful than any captive of the same size! I was on hand to unpack a much-touted giant that was collected in Java and eventually purchased by the Bronx Zoo. Stories abound as to its potential size, but the longest reliable measurement appears to be 32 feet, 9 inches individuals longer than 23 feet are exceedingly rare. The Reticulated Python, or “Retic” as it is known to herp enthusiasts, vies with the Green Anaconda for title of world’s longest snake (an Anaconda would be twice as heavy as a Retic of the same length, however). Today I’d like to explore a lesser known side of this impressive snake – its habits in nature, and its amazing ability to thrive even in large, crowded cities. It is also widely bred in private collections, although such is ill-advised given the potential dangers inherent in keeping such a formidable beast (even after decades in captivity, most retain their irascible temperament). The massive Reticulated Python, Broghammerus (formerly Python) reticulatus is one of the world’s best known snakes, and always the main attraction at zoo reptile houses.
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