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Latin name: Malayopython reticulatus
This individual is a juvenile female who is very tame and about 9.5’ in length. She's eating live large chicks and jumbo rats.
General info: Reticulated Pythons are a truly awesome snakes, not only because of their incredible length but also because of their beautiful and intricate patterns. They are also a fairly common large snake to keep as a pet. Despite being the longest snakes in the world, frequent gentle handling reveals that they can have docile temperaments. Still, because of their large adult size, (20+ feet) we recommend them for more experienced snake owners.
Their popularity as pets has led many breeders to produce some absolutely beautiful morphs.
Habitat and lifestyle: These powerful ambush predators are native to Southeast Asia and many parts of Indonesia as well. They like to live in a variety of habitats including swampland, grasslands, dense forests and can even be found in agricultural areas. They’re always found close to water, and can be semi-aquatic as the water allows them to move their large bodies more freely. Being excellent swimmers, they are sometimes found out at sea traveling between close islands.
Size and lifespan: Reticulated Pythons hatch out at about 2 feet in length but quickly grow! feet. Big females of up to 25 feet long have been recorded but are extremely rare. Females of up to 20 feet are more common and males tend to get closer to 16 feet in length. They are known to live 20+ years in human care.
Quick care stats:
Temperatures: 87 degrees Fahrenheit in the basking area, 75 degrees Fahrenheit on the cool end.
Humidity: 60%-70%
Tank size: 40 gallons for babies. 70+ gallons for juveniles/adults.
Tank type: . Standard rectangle. Provide a good amount of floor space.
Lighting and heating: Both a heat pad and a dimmable heat lamp are recommended for snakes living in glass tanks. Thermostats are also helpful. Full spectrum UVB lighting is not required for this species but is highly recommended for all reptiles for overall welfare. For wooden tanks, only use a heat bulb, no heat pad is necessary.
Substrate and furniture: Soil, bark or coconut fiber substrate 2” deep or deeper. Sphagnum moss should be present in parts of the enclosure on top of the substrate but not covering it completely. Provide a water dish that is large enough for the snake to curl up into for soaking.
Handling: Reticulated Pythons tolerate gentle handling well and can be handled a few times per week. Just watch for signs of stress and try to limit sessions to 30-45 minutes. Once your retic is over 6 feet in length, it is recommended to have a second person present when handling for safety.
When not to handle: After the snake has eaten, give them 2-3 days to digest their food before handling them again. When you first bring the snake home or move it to a new enclosure, wait at least 3 days before handling it to give it a chance to settle in to the new environment.
Feeding frequency: every 4-5 days for babies, 1x per week for juveniles and adults. Prey item should be as wide as the widest part of the snake's body.