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Reticulated python

This reticulated python lives at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Park in Norfolk.

 

Individuals of this species have proved to be indisputably the longest snake in the world. Their length ranges from 5ft to 21ft 4in. (1.5 to 6.5 m) with a weight of between 2lb. 3 oz. to 165 lb. 6 oz. (1 to 75 kg)

The snakes complex geometric pattern is made up of irregular diamond shapes in olive green, brown, white, and gold, with a black outline. The back typically has a series of irregular diamond shapes flanked by smaller markings with light centres. In the snakes wide geographic range, much variation of size, colour, and markings commonly occurs. The pattern is called disruptive colouration and in a shadowy jungle environment amid fallen leaves and debris, it allows them to virtually disappear, protecting them from predators and helping them to catch their prey.

Reticulated pythons are solitary creatures and are active throughout the night. They are found in South and Southeast Asia. It inhabits rainforests, woodlands, and nearby grasslands and may venture into agricultural land or near human habitation. It is also associated with rivers and is found in areas with nearby streams and lakes. They are a slow moving snakes but are excellent swimmers, it has even been reported far out at sea and has consequently has colonized many islands within its range

As with all pythons, the reticulated python is an ambush predator, usually waiting until prey wanders within strike range before seizing it in its coils and killing by constriction. Its natural diet includes mammals and occasionally birds. Small snakes up to 10 to 13 ft. (3 to 3.9 m) long eat mainly small mammals such as rats, other rodents, mouse-eared bats, and treeshrews, whereas larger individuals take prey such as small Indian civet and bearcats, primates, pigs, and deer weighing more than 135 lb. (61.25 kg). Adult humans have been killed and eaten by this snake. As a rule, the reticulated python seems able to swallow prey up to one-quarter its own length and up to its own weight.

Adult females lay between 15 and 80 eggs per clutch. At an optimum incubation temperature of 31–32 °C (88–90 °F), the eggs take an average of 88 days to hatch.[ The hatchlings are at least 2 ft. (61 cm) in length and are independent at birth. The young pythons can expect to live for about 23 years.

King cobras and crocodiles prey on reticulated pythons. Eggs and juvenile pythons are vulnerable to predators such as hawks, eagles, herons, and small mammals. The python is still persecuted by man for it's skin, for use in traditional medicine, for meat and for sale as pets. Few snakes live long enough to reach their maximum potential size.

According to IUCN, the reticulated python is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List

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Uploaded on July 29, 2022
Taken on September 15, 2021