Reticulated Pythons

Common name(s): Reticulated Python

Latin name: Python reticulatus.

Native to: Indonesia, Southeast Asia, the Phillipines and other Indo-Pacific Islands.

Adult size: Under normal feeding regiment, a hatchling can exceed 12 feet in two years. Captive-raised females can get over 18 feet. There are occasional specimens over 20 feet. The record for this species is 33 feet.

Life Span: Captive Life Span of 25-30 years

Eggs: Clutch 50-70 eggs. Average 60 eggs/clutch.
Average incubation time: 90 days
Average incubation temp: 88F-90F degrees
Average hatchling size: 20"-24"

Appearance: the patterns of these snakes have been likened to an oriental rug in terms of variations on a theme of gold, olive, tan, brown and dark gray blotches. The blotches are outlined in black, against a siver gray body. Reticulated pythons also have the ability to change the shades and intensity of these colors. Eye color is usually orange.

What does it eat?: Hatchlings start feeding on mice and fuzzy rats. Increasing the food size as the snakes grow. Eventually you will be feeding it rabbits, small pigs and cows.. *wink* kidding...

Ease of care: Relatively easy but, they like high humidity which gets harder to provide as the snake gets larger. They are a thin skin species and have problems shedding if its too dry.

Temperament: captive born babies are usually calm

Cage set up: Reticulated Pythons whould be kept in much larger cages than Burmese, preferably room-size cages for the adults.

Substrate: Aspen bedding, shredded cypress or fir bark, dry cypress mulch and newspaper. Driftwood or a decorative rock should be added to aid the snake during its shed. Provide a climbing branch or two, some fake greenery, a hide box and a large water bowl for soaking. Daytime temperature of 80-90F at the warm end dropping to 73-75F at night. Under-tank heatpad are preferred over an overhead basking light.

Personal Comments:

H. Piorun ~

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