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Reticulated Python-Python Reticulatus
Topic Started: Jan 26 2012, 12:50 PM (666 Views)
Venomous Dragon
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Reticulated Python - Python reticulatus
The World's Longest Snake

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Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species: P. reticulatus
Binomial name Python reticulatus

Also known as Regal python or Asiatic python

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Python reticulatus, also known as the (Asiatic) reticulated python or regal python, is a species of python found in Southeast Asia. Adults grow to over 28 feet (8.7 m) in length and are the world's longest snakes and longest reptile, but are not the most heavily built. Like all pythons, they are non-venomous constrictors and normally not considered dangerous to humans, 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.

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Description:

Adults can grow to a length of more than 28.5 feet (8.7 m) and are the world's longest snakes However, they are relatively slim for their length and are certainly not the most heavily built. The species Eunectes murinus, the green anaconda, may be larger. The largest individual ever accurately measured was Colossus, kept at the Pittsburgh Zoo during the 1950s, with a peak length of 28.5 feet. Numerous reports have been made of larger snakes, but since none of these have been measured by a scientist nor have the specimens been deposited at a museum, they must be regarded as unproven and probably erroneous. In spite of a standing offer of $50,000 for a live, healthy snake over 30 feet long by the New York Zoological Society, no attempt to claim this reward has ever been made.

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a large python in Cebu, Philippines


Geographic range

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Found in Southeast Asia from the Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, 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.

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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.

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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. 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.


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