Reticulated Python

Malayopython reticulatus

Description

The reticulated python is a type of snake from the Pythonidae tribe that is large and has the longest body size among other snakes. Its largest size is said to exceed 8.5 meters and is the longest snake in the world. This snake has a distinctive black chain-like pattern encircling light brown or grayish brown parts. The black area spreads around the white patch on its underside, and the underside is dotted with a yellow border. The other part beside the bottom is similar in color with a light colored spot in the middle. The color of the head is light brown or yellowish gray, with a thin black line along the center and another line from the eye down the jaw. His eyes are yellow or orange. The underside is slightly white or yellow, with or without dark streaks.

Population Size

Unknown

Life Span

More than 25 years

WEIGHT​

The maximum recorded weight is 158 kg

LENGTH

3 m – 10 m

Ar

Arboreal

Ca

Carnivore

No

Nocturnal

Te

Terrestrial

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Reptilia

ORDER

:

Squamata

FAMILY

:

Pythonidae

GENUS

:

Malayopython

SPECIES

:

Malayopython reticulatus

Distribution

Reticulated pythons live in humid tropical forest areas. In Bali, this species lives in lowland rain forest, monsoon forest and agricultural land. Often found around streams and in caves.

Geography

Continents : Asia

Country : Reticulated pythons spread in the forests of Southeast Asia. Starting from the Nicobar Islands, Burma to Indochina, the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Nusa Tenggara (to Timor), Sulawesi and north to the Philippines

Habits and Lifestyle

These snakes are usually nocturnal, most of their time spent on the ground, but are also excellent climbers and swimmers. This snake prefers to wait rather than actively hunt, perhaps because its large size consumes a lot of energy.

Lifestyle

Terrestrial and Arboreal

Biome

Tropical Forest

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

Its main diet is small mammals, birds and other reptiles such as lizards. Tiny snakes prey on frogs, lizards and fish. Large snakes reportedly prey on dogs, monkeys, wild boar, deer, and even humans. The prey is paralyzed by wrapping it tightly (constricting) until it runs out of breath. Some of the bones in the circumference of the chest and pelvis may be broken by it. Then after death the prey is swallowed whole, starting from its head. After eating, especially after swallowing large prey, this snake will fast for several days to several months until it is hungry again.

Mating Habits

Female snakes have larger bodies. If the males have started mating at a body length of about 7-9 feet, the new females are about 11 feet long. Sexual maturity is reached at the age between 2-4 years. The breeding season runs from September to March in Asia. Reducing the length of the day and lowering the temperature are the driving factors that stimulate the mating season. Both males and females will fast during the breeding season, so body size is important here. The females will even continue their fast until they lay eggs, and quite possibly the eggs hatch. Reticulated pythons lay between 10 and about 100 eggs. These eggs are ‘incubated’ at 88-90 ° F (31-32 ° C) for 80-90 days, even more than 100 days. The female snake will circle the eggs while contracting. This movement of the muscles generates heat which will raise the temperature of the eggs several degrees above the ambient temperature. The female will guard these eggs from predators until they hatch.

Reproduction session : September – March

Incubation periods : 80 – 90 day

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : 10 – 100 eggs

Population

Population status : Least concern (LC)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

Population threats​

This species is hunted primarily for its hides, but also for food, traditional medicine and domestic animals in most of its territory. These snakes are hunted for their meat for the domestic market, but exported abroad on demand. However, although this species is not considered to be at risk of extinction globally either through hunting or habitat loss, over-exploitation coupled with extensive habitat loss especially in Indochina is driven by agricultural conversion can lead to the loss of regional subpopulations, and can negatively impact subpopulations throughout the snake region.

 

Population number​

The IUCN Red List is still categorized as “least concern” in terms of its wide distribution, adaptability and abundance even in some areas where it is subject to massive exploitation.

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Malayopython reticulatus Wikipedia article
  2. Stuart, B., Thy, N., Chan-Ard, T., Nguyen, T.Q., Grismer, L., Auliya, M., Das, I. & Wogan, G. 2018. Python reticulatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T183151A1730027
  3. McKay, J.L. 2006. Reptil and Amphibi di Bali. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA.