Reticulated Python

Python reticulatus is a non-venomous python species found in Southeast Asia. This is the largest snake in the Old World and competes for the title of the world's longest snake with the South American green anaconda, but is currently held as the world's longest snake Eunectes murinus. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[2]

Description

With a maximum recorded length of 32' 9" ^[3], the largest specimen was somewhat longer than the longest anaconda (Eunectes murinus) reliably recorded. P. reticulatus can weigh almost 160 kg (350 lbs). It should be noted, however, that it is relatively slender, and therefore not the largest existing snake species: E. murinus can be roughly twice as heavy at the same length. More commonly, P. reticulatus reaches some 6-7 meters in length when fully adult, although the "dwarf" island subspecies, called Jampea, only attain about half that size.^[4]

The color pattern is a complex geometric pattern that incorporates numerous different colors. The back typically has a series of irregular diamond shapes which are flanked by smaller markings with light centers. In this species' wide range, much variation of size, color, and markings commonly occurs.

Geographic range

Found in Southeast Asia from the Nicobar Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia, east through Indonesia and the Indo-Australian Archipelago (Sumatra, the Mentawai Islands, the Natuna Islands, Borneo, Sulawesi, Java, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, Flores, Timor, Maluku, Tanimbar Islands) and the Philippines (Basilan, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, Samar, Tawi-Tawi). The original description does not include a type locality. Restricted to "Java" by Brongersma (1972).^[1]

Habitat

Occurs in rain forests, woodland and nearby grassland. They are also associated with rivers and are found in areas with nearby streams and lakes.^[7]