Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus)
Contributed by:Stuart Dodsworth of EAWT
This article is only meant as an introduction, and you should still read several other care sheets before acquiring your animal.
Distribution
The Reticulated Python ranges throughout Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippine Islands. At the present time this python is still widespread, but the numbers are gradually diminishing due to its constant persecution for the skin trade. Whenever this snake is encountered in its natural habitat it is always killed.
Size
These snakes are potential giants. They have an average size of 480cm - 750cm (16 - 25 feet), although snakes exceeding this do occur occasionally.
Diet & Feeding
Their main diet in captivity depends on the size of the snake, ranging from small mice up to rats, rabbits and poultry when adult. They prefer to feed at night or from a hide box. If possible they should have a separate feeding box, this will help to condition them so that they do not expect food in their vivarium and ensure that they do not ingest any substrate whilst feeding.
Requirements
Heat Source:This can be either reflector spot lights in green, red or blue. Ceramics or tubular heaters can also be used although heat mats are a useful alternative.
UV Light Source: Although there is a lot of controversy regarding the use of UV supplementation with snakes, many herpetologists wouldn't be without one. It has therefore been included here as a suggestion and the recommended type for snakes until further scientific research proves otherwise is a 2.0% UV light. This should be left on for 8 to 12 hours a day and replaced every 6 months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer. If you decide to use a UV with your snake, care should be taken if your snake is albino as the light intensity could have detrimental effects on the eyes of the snake. Vitamin D3 supplements should also be kept to a minimum.
Housing:This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with a glass frontage. When housing these pythons the vivarium should enable the reptile to stretch out half its body length and should be as wide as a third of the snakes length. Hatchlings should be kept in a smaller box (a
penpal/fauna box is suitable), which should be housed within a larger vivarium.
Thermostat: All heat sources should be controlled by a thermostat in order to prevent the vivarium over heating.
Wire Mesh Guards: These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.
Thermometers:One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the
vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as these are often inaccurate.
Hides: A hide box should be provided at the warmer end of the
vivarium.
Water
These reptiles require a large container which they can bathe in without constriction. This must be located quite near to the heat source. This water must be changed daily as it is also the water that they drink.
Temperature
The temperature of the vivarium should have a gradient of 80-92°F. The basking area should be at least a third to half of the vivarium length 88-92°F. The cooler end of the vivarium should never be allowed to drop below 73°F.
Longevity
This species can live for more than 25 years.
Fig. 1 - A pair of young Reticulated Pythons |
Substrate
This can be newspaper, brown paper or even astro turf. Whatever is used, remember that it must be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination from
disease.
N.B.
Reticulated Pythons are not a suitable beginners snake. This species of python's temperament, usually depends on their keeper. This species should NEVER be kept in a household with children or elderly people.
Salmonella
Many reptiles carry the naturally forming bacteria Salmonella. It must be stated that salmonella bacteria can only be contracted by ingestion (via the mouth). Good hygiene is therefore very important when keeping any animal.
