{Common names: reticulated python, Asiatic reticulated python, regal python. |Python reticulatus is a non-venomous python species found in Southeast Asia. | This is the longest snake in the Old World and competes for the title of the worlds longest snake with the South American green anaconda, Eunectes murinus. | The specific name, reticulatus, is a Latin word that means net-like, or reticulated, and is a reference to the markings on the body. | No subspecies are currently recognized. | 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 (eg civets and binturongs), and even primates and pigs. | Near human habitation, they are known to snatch stray chicken, 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 695 cm (23 ft) specimen, which 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. |Contrary to popular belief, giant constrictors, including Python reticulatus, do not crush their prey to death, which is not even noticeably deformed before it is swallowed. | The speed with which the coils are applied is impressive and the force they exert may be significant, but death is caused by suffocation, with the victim not being able to move its ribs in order to breathe while it is being constricted. |These pythons are oviparous, with females laying 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. |With a maximum recorded length of 32 feet 9 inches, the largest specimen was somewhat longer than the longest anaconda (Eunectes murinus) reliably recorded. | Python reticulatus can grow 30 feet (910 cm) long and weigh up to 136 kg (300 lbs). | It should be noted, however, that it is relatively slender, and therefore not the largest existing snake species: Green anancondas can be roughly twice as heavy at the same length. | More commonly, Python reticulatus reaches some 6-7 meters in length when fully adult, although a population on Jampea island is said to attain only about half that size. |A supposedly 1485-centimeter (49 ft) long specimen was captured in Jambi province, Sumatra, in 2002. | However, the snake—eventually nicknamed Fragrant Flower and winding up at a zoo in Curug Sewu (Kendal Regency, Java)—was later shown to be only half as long as claimed. |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. |Occurs in rain forests, woodland and nearby grassland. | They are also associated with rivers and are found in areas with nearby streams and lakes. | 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. | Those who work with these snakes often cite an unusual level of intelligence and awareness compared to other snakes. |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. |Three subspecies may be encountered, including two new ones. |Python reticulatus reticulatus, Schneider (1801) – Called retics in herpetoculture. |Python reticulatus jampeanus, Auliya et al (2002) – Kayaudi dwarf reticulated pythons or Jampea retics, found on Tanahjampea in the Selayar Archipelago south of Sulawesi. |Python reticulatus 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. |The proposed subspecies dalegibbonsi, euanedwardsi, haydnmacphiei, neilsonnemani, patrickcouperi and stuartbigmorei, as well as the idea of moving the species to the monotypic genus Broghammerus, are rejected by most professional and amateur herpetologists, most, if not all, of these taxa are generally considered nomina dubia. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||}