Fun Reticulated Python Facts For Kids

The reticulated pythons are a non-venomous python species majorly found in South and Southeast Asia. They enjoy the reputation of being the world's longest snake and also being the largest snake found in Asia. The largest reticulated python in these species is recorded at 10 m. These pythons get their name from the Latin name 'reticulatus,' which means net-like, for the complex pattern of various colors in which its found. These patterns on their scales help them camouflage with their surroundings. These species are carnivores and prey on mammals, small birds, rodents, and other such creatures. These pythons are highly terrestrial.

It is a constrictor meaning it kills its prey by suffocating them. These pythons are oviparous, and the young ones are precocial, meaning they are independent right from birth. These python species are ambush predators making a surprise attack on their prey. They have extraordinary swimming abilities making them capable of drifting away from their native habitats.

If you are a snake enthusiast, read on! Why don't you check out more fun content here on the cottonmouth snake and copperhead snake too?

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What type of animal is a reticulated python?

The reticulated pythons are a non-venomous python species. They are the largest snakes native to the continent of Asia. These pythons are native to the Malaysian peninsula, Indonesia, Philippines, and Southeast Asia. This snake's living range is extended to other parts of the world like Northern America and South Africa.

What class of animal does a reticulated python belong to?

These species of pythons are reptiles. This class of animals' distinct features includes them having backbones and ectothermic, meaning they cannot regulate their bodies' temperature.

How many reticulated pythons are there in the world?

Although there are no detailed studies on these pythons' population count, it is safe to assume they are healthy in the count. They are distributed widely and have longevity, making them abundant in their population size.

Where does a reticulated python live?

The reticulated pythons live in the humid rainforests. They prefer to live near water sources for self-protection and easily catch their prey. These snake species are ambush predators; hence their diet needs are better provided in temperate conditions. South and Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Indo-Australian Archipelago, Philippines are the places where these pythons are mainly found.

What is a reticulated python's habitat?

This snake's habitat is well suited for them to have moderate temperatures for their survival and reproduction. Their preference pattern being rainforests, wetlands, and grassland forests which provide them an ambient environment to camouflage and fix their diet by attacking their prey. These snake species are found at higher elevations between the range of 1200-2500 m. Given that these snake species are excellent swimmers, their abode pattern has shifted with them colonizing a newer range of environments.

Who do reticulated pythons live with?

The reticulated pythons are solitary snake species and would only mingle with others of their kind for mating. They fend for themselves right from birth, being precocial.

How long does a reticulated python live?

The reticulated python lifespan range is 20 years on average. It is noted that the python lives and thrives better in zoo captivity than in the wild as they are well fed in a controlled environment. The longest recorded life of a captive-bred reticulated python in the zoo is 32 years, whereas the most extended life recorded for a wild reticulated python is 23 years.

How do they reproduce?

These reptiles are oviparous, which means for reproduction, these species of animals lay eggs to produce offsprings. The females of the species choose the male for mating or breeding. She can retain the male sperm in her body for favorable conditions to arrive for fertilization. On average, the females lay 15-100 eggs per clutch. The female incubates the eggs by coiling on top of it and generating enough warmth for hatching. The parental affiliation is found to be nil in these species of snakes.

The average gestation period is 70 days, and their breeding season range between February and March. For breeding, the male and female reach the sexual maturity age at the age of 3.5 and 4 years, respectively.

What is their conservation status?

As per the IUCN classification, the reticulated pythons are under the Least Concern category. As their population is widely distributed and it has a long lifespan, there is no immediate threat to their survival or population count.

What do reticulated pythons look like?

Reticulated pythons have compound geometric patterns with different colors as a distinctive feature. Reticulated pythons have smooth dorsal scales lined up in 69-79 rows along the middle of their body. The reticulated python mouth has powerful jaws that allow it to gobble up any prey more significant than its size. These snakes have 100 teeth and the reticulated python teeth that are angled backward so that the prey cannot escape the clutch of these snakes.

How cute are they?

The different shades of colors and their skin's complex patterns make them unique. Only a hardcore snake fanatic will find them cute. The desirability to own a unique and rare pet has opened up the breeders' morphs market. There are numerous varieties of morphs for the reticulated pythons.

How do they communicate?

These snakes are deaf and visually challenged because of immovable eyelids. They use an ossicle organ called columella to detect vibrations in the ground. Their sense of smell and sound helps them connect with other snakes around them.

They communicate with other snakes by applying pheromones to the forest soil. Other snakes detect these chemicals and initiate mating or sense another male's presence as a threat.

How big is a reticulated python?

These snakes have the stature of being the world's longest snake growing up to 21.3 ft. The most enormous reticulated python in history had recorded a length of 10 m. A fully grown reticulated python size is bigger than the Giant Anaconda, which can only grow up to 4.6 m.

How fast can a reticulated python move?

The reticulated python is a slow mover. They can move at a pace of 1 mph in the open space. As ambush predators, they do not need to be fast; they pounce on their prey when the prey reaches them. Another deterrent to their fast movement is when they are full after gobbling up their prey, they cannot move; hence, making them vulnerable to predators.

How much does a reticulated python weigh?

On average, these pythons can weigh up to 166 lb. Reticulated python vs. Anaconda weight depicts that the reticulated python weight is on the lighter side as the heaviest Anacondas are noted to weigh 500 lb.

What are their male and female names of the species?

There is no specific terminology to refer to a male or female snake. They are referred to as males or females.

What would you call a baby reticulated python?

The reticulated python baby can be called a hatchling or neonate for a newborn snake, snakelet for a baby snake. These young ones are independent of birth and are known to be great tree climbers.

What do they eat?

They eat mammals, and occasionally they might savor birds. Other food interests may include rodents, pigs, and a few primates. These pythons are nocturnal and predominantly hunt in the nights.

Are they dangerous?

They are not known to cause harm to humans intentionally and are very docile. The reticulated python bite is painful, but it will not be dangerous unless infected. Reticulated python attacks have been recorded in the past, but they are not extreme. Their non-venomous nature also makes them less menacing.

Would they make a good pet?

A reticulated python pet is legal in many parts of the world. Still, due to the sheer magnitude that they grow and their wild nature added to it, they are better off in the wilderness. They grow fast, and their demand for food is very high. To care for a reticulated python would mean giving them large enclosures as an abode that is humid. The heat needs to be regularly monitored for their survival.

The adult reticulated python can live a long life of 20 years. Reticulated python care involves providing food and shelter for any reticulated python pets which may seem very challenging. Their passive nature is another downside of having them as a pet. You may not have many interactive sessions with them.

Did you know...

The breeders, over time, have bred these largest snakes variety for commercial viability. It is interesting to note that these morphs, as they are called, cannot be found in the wild. Let's discover a few of the morphs here.

The Dwarf Reticulated Python and the Super Dwarf Reticulated Python are the smaller morphs that measure 3.6 m and 2.4 m, respectively. These retics take a long time to grow.

The Tiger Reticulated Python has fewer patterns and has a mid-dorsal tan region. They lack the black stripes that are generally present in the normal retics. The white spots on the sides look stretched in these morphs.

The Albino Reticulated Python is one of the most popular morphs. They come in shades of lavender, white, and sometimes purple. They lack extensive pigmentation giving them a dirty look, and their eyes are pinkish red.

The Pied Reticulated Python has a white belly, and the sides have white patches. This variety was discovered in Indonesia and bred by breeders for more variation.

The Piebald Reticulated Python or the Asiatic Reticulated Python has a continuous white patch on its ventral side. The dorsal side has complex grayish-brown patterns.

The Cow Reticulated Python has white and yellowish splashed patterns on them. These speckles enlarge as they grow.

The Titanium Reticulated Python has a symmetrical pattern on its dorsal side. They are yellowish golden in the shade, and have black line patterns.

The Ivory Reticulated Python has no patterns and is ivory in color throughout. They are a vision in white to attract you.

The Black Reticulated Python has a shiny black finish on its scale, making it glow under the light.

The Yellow Reticulated Python have yellowish, grayish symmetric patterns on its body and are an owners delight for their unique shade of color.

How long can a reticulated python get?

The longest reticulated python in history was measured at 10 m in 1912. On average, the reticulated python length is 6.5 m.

Can reticulated pythons swim?

These snakes are excellent swimmers and they have made a habitat of their own away from their natural habitats by venturing far away into the sea. Their swimming abilities have taken them farther into islands away from their natural range.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles, including yellow anaconda or green anaconda.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our reticulated python coloring pages.