Python reticulatus

Python reticulatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Pythonidae Genus: Python Species: P. reticulatus
Binomial name
Python reticulatus (Schneider, 1801)
Synonyms
Boa Reticulata - Schneider, 1801 Boa rhombeata - Schneider, 1801 Boa phrygia - Shaw, 1802 Coluber Javanicus - Shaw, 1802 Python Schneideri - Merrem, 1820 Python reticulatus - Gray, 1842 Python reticulatus - Boulenger, 1893 Morelia reticulatus - Welch, 1988 Python reticulatus - Kluge, 1993[1]

Common names: reticulated python,^[2] regal python,^[3] Asiatic reticulated python.

Python reticulatus is a non-venomous python species found in Southeast Asia. Adults grow to a maximum of more than 32 feet (9.75 m) in length and are probably the world's longest snakes, but not the most heavily built. They are normally not considered dangerous to man, even though large specimens are powerful enough to kill an adult and attacks are occasionally reported.

An excellent swimmer, it has even been reported far out at sea and has consequently colonized many small islands within its range. The specific name is Latin meaning net-like, or reticulated, and is a reference to the complex color pattern.^[4] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[2]

Contents 1 Description 2 Geographic range 3 Habitat 4 Feeding 5 Reproduction 6 Danger to humans 7 Captivity 8 Farming 9 Taxonomy 10 See also 11 References 12 Further reading 13 External links

Description

Adults grow to a maximum of more than 32 feet (9.75 m) in length and are probably the world's longest snakes.^[5] However, they are relatively slim for their length and are certainly not the most heavily built.^[6] The anaconda, Eunectes murinus, may be larger.^[5]

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.

In zoo exhibits the color pattern may seem garish, but in a shadowy jungle environment amid fallen leaves and debris it allows them to virtually disappear. Called a disruptive coloration, it protects them from predators and helps them to catch their prey.^[5]

Geographic range

Found in Southeast Asia from the Nicobar Islands, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, 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. It is also associated with rivers and is found in areas with nearby streams and lakes. An excellent swimmer, it has even been reported far out at sea and has consequently colonized many small islands within its range.^[5] During the early years of the twentieth century it is said to have been common even in busy parts of Bangkok, sometimes eating domestic animals.^[6]

Feeding

Their natural diet includes mammals and occasionally birds. Small specimens—up to 3–4 meters (10–14 ft) long—eat mainly rodents such as rats, whereas larger individuals switch to prey such as Viverridae (e.g. civets and binturongs), and even primates and pigs. Near human habitation, they are known to snatch stray chickens, cats and dogs on occasion. Among the largest prey items that are actually fully documented to have been taken were a half-starved old female Sun Bear of 23 kilograms that was eaten by a 6.95 m (23 ft) specimen and took some 10 weeks to digest, as well as pigs of more than 60 kg (132 lb). As a rule of thumb, these snakes seem able to swallow prey up to ¼ their own length, and up to their own weight.^[7] As with all pythons, they are ambush hunters, waiting until prey wanders within strike range before seizing it in their coils and killing via constriction.

Reproduction

Oviparous, females lay between 60 and 100 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.^[8] Hatchlings are at least 2 feet (61 cm) in length.^[6]

Danger to humans

Attacks on humans are rare, but this species has been responsible for several human fatalities, in both the wild and captivity. They are among the few snakes that have been fairly reliably reported to eat people, although only 1–3 cases of the snake actually eating rather than just killing a human seem to have been verified:

• Two incidents, apparently in early 20th century Indonesia: On Salibabu, a 14-year-old boy was killed and supposedly eaten by a specimen 5.17 m (c.17 ft) in length. Another incident involved an adult woman reputedly eaten by a "large reticulated python", but few details are known.^[9]
• Franz Werner reports ^[10] a case from Burma (or Myanmar) either occurring in the early 1910s or in 1927. A jeweller named Maung Chit Chine, who went hunting with his friends, was apparently eaten by a 6 m (20 ft) specimen after he sought shelter from a rainstorm on or under a tree. Supposedly, he was swallowed feet first, contrary to normal snake behavior but the easiest way for a snake to actually swallow a human.^[11]
• In 1932, Frank Buck wrote about a teenage boy who was eaten by a pet 25 ft reticulated python in the Philippines. According to Buck, the python had escaped and when it was found they could recognize a human child shape inside the snake, which later turned out to be the son of the snake's owner.^[10]
• According to Mark Auliya, the corpse of 32-year-old Mangyan Lantod Gumiliu was recovered from the belly of a 7 m (c.23 ft) Reticulated Python on Mindoro, probably in January, 1998. ^[7]
• On October 23, 2008 a 25 year old Virginia Beach woman, Amanda Ruth Black, appears to have been killed by a 13-foot pet reticulated python. The apparent cause of death was asphyxiation. The snake was later found in the bedroom in an agitated state.^[12]

Considering the known maximum prey size, it is technically possible for a full-grown specimen to open its jaws wide enough to swallow a human child, teenager, or even a small adult, although the flaring shoulders of Homo sapiens would pose a major problem. The victim would almost certainly be dead by the time the snake started swallowing. At least in the 1998 incident, the victim was gathering food or wood in the forest when he happened upon the snake. In any case, it is unlikely that any but the largest specimens are able to kill, let alone eat, an adult human, except if the victim is caught unaware.^[7]

Captivity

Increased popularity in the pet trade is due largely to increased efforts in captive breeding and selectively bred mutations such as the "albino" and "tiger" strains.

They can make good captives, but keepers should have previous experience with such large constrictors to ensure safety to both animal and keeper. Although their interactivity and beauty draws much attention, some feel they are unpredictable. They do not attack humans by nature, but will bite and possibly constrict if they feel threatened, or mistake a hand for food. While not venomous, large pythons can inflict serious injuries, sometimes requiring stitches.

Farming

Over the past 20 years, farming of this species has grown considerably in many Asian countries, including Indonesia. It is rumored that European settlers introduced them to the region in 1558. Current estimates state that there are roughly 5,400 such farms throughout Southeast Asia. In countries such as Indonesia, these snakes are said to outnumber humans 15 to 1. Native peoples first gained interest in farming them when they realized the skin could easily be sold for profit in the snake skin industry. The skins are popular sources for purses and boots, such as the typical snake skin cowboy boot. Prada has also used the skins on some of their purses. The meat is also considered a delicacy amongst local peoples and sells for as much at 50 USD per kilogram

Taxonomy

Three subspecies may be encountered, including two new ones:

• P. r. reticulatus, Schneider (1801) - Called "retics" in herpetoculture.
• P. r. jampeanus, Auliya et al. (2002) - Kayaudi dwarf reticulated pythons or Jampea retics, about half the length ^[8]. Found on Tanahjampea in the Selayar Archipelago south of Sulawesi.
• P. r. saputrai, Auliya et al. (2002) - Selayer reticulated pythons or Selayer retics. Found on Selayar Island in the Selayar Archipelago and also adjacent Sulawesi.

The latter two are dwarf subspecies. Apparently, the population of the Sangir Islands north of Sulawesi represents another such subspecies, but it is not yet formally described.^[13]

The proposed subspecies dalegibbonsi, euanedwardsi, haydnmacphiei, neilsonnemani, patrickcouperi and stuartbigmorei, as well as the idea of moving the species to the monotypic genus Broghammerus,^[14][15] are rejected by most professional and amateur herpetologists. Most, if not all, of these taxa are generally considered nomina dubia.^[16]

See also

• List of pythonid species and subspecies.
• Pythonidae by common name.
• Pythonidae by taxonomic synonyms.

References

Further reading

External links

• Python reticulatus at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 12 September 2007.
• Python reticulatus at Exotic-pets.eu. Accessed 12 September 2007.
• Reticulated python at Answers.com. Accessed 12 September 2007.
• Reticulated python forum at Kingsnake.com. Accessed 12 September 2007.