This is critical information for Reticulated Python owners and those thinking of owning one. The purpose of this information is not to sway a person from such a beautiful giant, but to give important information that may not be realized.

The size and beauty of the Reticulated Python is what attracts people to want to look at them, and want to own one. The Reticulated Python is known to be one of the longest snake types in the world. Their girth, or thickness, is less that that of the Anaconda snake. There is a term "power feeding", this is when a snake owner saturates their snake with feeding frequently, hoping to speed its growth rate. This will not make the snake "power grow", but rather make for an unhealthy snake with a shortened life span. The Retic can live Thirty to fifty years with proper care. That said, you have to have a life plan for an animal with a long life span. When you are eighty years old and can't manage your twenty foot snake that you had since you were forty years old, there's going to be problems. Always plan ahead with any pet purchase.

In the first year a , AKA, Retic Python can reach ten feet easy with proper care. There are a few Retics that are much smaller in the first year due to very poor care. Poor care will affect the overall adult size as well as the long term health. A healthy female Retic can reach just over twenty feet at adult. There is mention of a thirty three foot Retic weighing a few hundred pounds. After the Retic reaches twelve to fifteen feet, the rate of growth slows and they start to put on the weight. It is not uncommon for a fourteen foot Retic to weigh forty to sixty five pounds. Never handle this animal alone. You need one person for every four feet of snake to be safe and to not injure the animal.

In the first year, with this giant reaching 10 feet, you need to seriously consider the final adult snake's cage. A four foot long aquarium is fine at first, but when the snake starts putting on weight and more length, a larger six foot long minimum enclosure is needed. The width needs to be at least 3 feet. The enclosure has to be super strong to absorb the snakes body thrust, should the Retic get moody. This snake is all muscle, and a quick side thrust from three feet of a 14 foot Retic is enough to break one's finger or hand if crushed against the side of the enclosure.

This news story debates the actual size of a Retic at a tourism park in central Java, the owner claims the python changes size depending on certain factors like feedings and defecations

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/jan/05/animalwelfare.indonesia

As mentioned, the Retic Python's body is all muscle it can constrict around its prey for twenty minutes straight, with each constriction being stronger. I personally felt the potential strength of my own 14 foot Retic when it was grasping my thigh as I was "snaking" him back into the enclosure. The snake was using my leg as a grip to hold onto as he was slithering back to his enclosure. A slight fear came about me, because my thigh felt like a giant blood-pressure pump was pumping too much. The snakes grip slowly let go as more of the snake's body slithered into its home (6ft long tank, heavy weigh glass). A secure lid or door must be constructed to keep the Retic snake from escaping . Locks must be part of the lid system too. If your large Retic was to get out, your cat or med size dog would be no contest.

What if you got in trouble with you Retic-If you ever have an incident where you can't get out of a situation where your Retic has wrapped around you.Don't panic, if you do, every time you inhale the constrictions get tighter. Instruct your helpers to start loosening off the snake at the tail, and work their way up ( never handle a Retic alone). Putting the snake into a large sack as it is being removed will help keep the snake under control. If the snake bit you, and then constricted around, still remove the snake from the tail end. Worry about the head and jaws last. This sounds like scary stuff, but you must know how to respond should you have an incident happen.

Below is a link to Bob Carks Captive Bred Reptiles. His python weighs over 300 pounds.

♦ http://www.bobclark.com/d_learn.asp?id=71&cat=learn

The behavior and aggression of the Captive Retic is obviously reflective of the care and handling it receives, but the "type" of Retic Python can depend on its behavior too. The Reticulated Pythons of the Lesser Sundas Islands of Indonesia and Central Thailand are more docile and laid back compared to the ones from the Sulawesi Islands of Indonesiathat are miserable and "ticky".

BELOW are photos of what a strike looks like from a Reticulated python. This person was kneeling on the floor while their pet python of 13 feet was roaming the kitchen. Everything was fine until a second person entered the kitchen and started moving around and made the Retic nervous. She struck out at the person who was kneeling on the floor right in the knee leaving a mark in the denom jeans. If you could imagine someone punching you with razor sharp teeth on their knuckles, that's exactly what the snake's strike felt like. Oh, I would be the one who's knee is in the photos below. My darling Monty Python got a little unpredictable that day. Nice

     In the wild the Reticulated Python is an excellent swimmer, therefore a captive Retic needs a large water bin. A full size Retic would need a bathtub size water container. Proper humidity is needed for a successful healthy skin shedding.

     The word reticulated means network like. The markings on the Reticulated Python form network patterns of brown with black yellow green and white throughout, The colour pattern blends in with the jungle vegetation making it easy for the snake to ambush its prey. (There are beautiful colour patters being developed by expert Reticulated Python breeders).

    In areas where the Retic is native to, people hunt this snake for its skin to market snake skin products like boots, purses and novelty items. This snake is not listed on the endangered species list, because of its ease at blending in with the jungle, the exact numbers of Retics in the wild is unknown.

The female Retic incubates her eggs by wrapping her body around them keeping a constant 88, or a few degrees more temperature and a near one hundred percent humidity rate. She incubates her eggs till they hatch 80-85 days later. There can be one hundred eggs in a clutch.

The Reticulated Python is a wonderful speicies to study. You must be aware of its unpredictable behavior, and be prepared for the needs this giant requires to have a safe and healthy snake. Enter your comments on experience you have with this giant beauty.

The Reticulated Python or Python reticulatus can also be called a Asiatic Reticulated Python, they even go by the name Regal Python

The Reticulated Python is non venomous

Retics are found in places like Indonesia,southeast Asia,Malaysia,Burma, China and islands in these and other nearby areas.Different islands have morph Retics that stay at 10 feet full grown.

Many new colour morph are appearing all the time, which make this an exciting new time waiting ti see the new colour coming up. Attending a snake show is the bet way to see them unda one roof.

by Lynda, at Spiderspun