Reticulated Python Natural History
Size
The longest snake ever accurately measured was a Reticulated Python measuring 28.5 feet. However, there have been unverified reports of these snakes reaching 30 and even 40 feet. Even though Green Anacondas are far more bulky and thus the largest snake, the Reticulated Python is longer.
Habitat and Distribution
This snake is found throughout South East Asia where a number of different locality types and sub species live across many of the islands in the area especially on the Indo-Australian Archipelago (including Sulawesi, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Flores & Timor etc.). Across its range it lives in a variety of habitats, however can generally be found in woodland and rainforest areas.
Age
The lifespan of this species is believed to lie in the region of 25 to 30 years.
Diet
The diet of this snake starts with small mammals and birds as young. However, as they grow this snake will start to eat far larger mammal prey such as pigs. Amongst the largest prey ever recorded for such a snake was a weak half starved (but still weighing 23 Kg) female Sun Bear.
Groups and Breeding
This species is an egg laying species which can lay clutches of anywhere between 12 and 80 eggs. These eggs hatch after approximately 88 days, with babies of almost 2 feet in length hatching out.
Threats
This species has few threats in the wild, and is now rarely hunted for food or for its skin because it is now heavily farmed in many Asian Countries.
Interesting Facts
The New York Zoological Society has a reward of $50,000 for anyone who can find and bring to the states a living and healthy snake of more than 30 feet in length. This applies to any species but is a reward brought about due to reports of how long this species can get. The $50,000 reward was offered in 1997, however it stems from an original offer of a $5,000 reward offered in 1910 by none other than President Theodore Roosevelt. No attempt to cash in such a reward has ever been made.
The Reticulated Python During Your day Out in Kent
We have two Reticulated Pythons here at Wingham Wildlife Park. The male and female share an enclosure together next to our Argentinian Black and White Tegu and Rhinoceros Iguanas. They are all on permanent display in the Reptile House.
The more you know…
Want to know more about this animal? Check out our keeper blogs about them here.