Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus)

Common Name: Reticulated Python
Scientific Name: Malayopython reticulatus
Family: Pythonidae – Python family
Location: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam
Introduced Locations: United States
Size: 9.8 – 32 feet (3 – 10 m)

The Reticulated Python is the world’s longest snake. The females of the species are generally larger than the males. However, the true length that they can grow to is not well known. Just like fish, the size of the Reticulated Pythons that people caught have been fibbed. There are observations of the snake reaching over 30 feet long but no formal measurement has been done on the snakes. The longest snake measured alive has only reached 24 feet long.

The snakes breed between September to March. The snakes are oviparous, laying between 15 to 80 eggs per clutch. After laying the eggs, the female coils around the eggs to protect them. She will even stay there for 3 months.

With their beautiful patterns, the Reticulated Python is a commonly found in the pet trade. There are even smaller Reticulated Pythons in the market, called Dwarf and Super Dwarf that are smaller in size than the regular python. However, they both can get over 6 feet (1.8 m) long. Large snakes require insane husbandry care that most normal people can’t give. They require a full room to turn into just an enclosure. Its just not a great idea to keep them as pets. In Florida, it is illegal to own them as a pet.

The Reticulated Python has been introduced to Florida. Some pythons were probably released by pet owners who could no longer take care of them or just escaped from their cages. The snake cause harm to the environment by outcompeting native species for food and just eating all the native species. They aren’t as widespread as other invasive pythons in Florida. They are mostly found in and around Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assess the Reticulated Python as Least Concern for Extinction. They have a large range and are thought to be common throughout it. Additionally, the snake is increasing their range across the world.