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reptilediscovery.com |
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The Reticulated Python |
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The reticulated python gets its name from the distinctive color and pattern on its scales. According to Webster’s Third New International Dictionary the word “reticulated” is an adjective defined as “having lines intercrossed, forming a network.” It is also known as the regal python (regal is a word that refers to a king). Its scientific name is Python reticulatus. |
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Wild reticulated python photographed on Halmahera Island in Indonesia by David Barker © VPI |
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This snake is the largest species of python living today. Some people believe that the giant South American water boa, known as the anaconda may grow larger or heavier, but the longest snakes that are found in the wild or that are living in a zoo today are reticulated pythons. |
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Habitat of the reticulated python on Halmahera Island in Indonesia. Photograph by David Barker © VPI |
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Many species of snakes are hunted by people for their meat and skins, especially the reticulated python. Their large size and the distinctive pattern on their scales make their skins very popular for leather products. Their skins are made into belts, wallets, vests and boots. In the United States many western style cowboy boots are made from Reticulated python skins. Paul Hogan wore a vest made of Reticulated python skins in the movie “Crocodile Dundee” and in the animated movie “Shrek”, a row of hanging Reticulated pythons skins were used by the ogre as a room divider. |
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Photographs by Bruce Shwedick©2009 Reptile Discovery Programs |
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Live pythons are captured in the wild and shipped to other countries where they are sold as pets or to reptile exhibits and zoos. Some very large reticulated pythons are still purchased by zoos, and some are donated to zoos by pet owners when their snakes grow to large for them to keep. Hatchling pythons are popular for some people to keep as pets or as a hobby, but they grow large. They can inflict serious bites with their long sharp teeth and some people have been killed by the very large pythons that they have raised. |
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Wild Giants |
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The largest reticulated python ever found in the wild was reported in 1912 from the island of Celebes (now known as Sulawesi) in Indonesia. This snake measured thirty-three feet. |
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National Geographic Television's reptile expert, Dr. Brady Barr and his field team, capture a very large reticulated python in Indonesia". |
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Captive Giants |
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Very large reticulated pythons have often been kept in zoological parks around the world. Many of them refused food for long periods of time and it was common practice for zookeepers to assist or force-feed them. One specimen at the Frankfurt Zoo refused food for 679 days. Another specimen at the Frankfurt Zoo in Germany measuring 24 feet ate a pig that weighed 120 pounds. |
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Clash of the Titans |
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In 2002, the largest reticulated pythons that we know of live in zoos in the United States. Which one is biggest? You decide! |
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Samantha |
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Photograph courtesy of William Holmstrom © WCS/Bronx Zoo |
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In March 1993, Samantha arrived at the Wildlife Conservation Park/Bronx Zoo from the island of Borneo. She measured 21 feet three inches and weighed 155 pounds. By October 2001, her length increased to 26 feet and she has reached a weight of 275 ½ pounds. During this eight and a half year period she has eaten 63 pigs weighing a total of 1,912 pounds. |
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Marcy |
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Photograph courtesy of Al Kardon © San Antonio Zoo |
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Marcy was brought to the United States from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi in 1990. She was raised by Dave and Tracy Barker. The Barkers are both herpetologists, scientists that study reptiles and amphibians. Marcy grew to be 12 feet long by the time she was a year old. By 1994 Marcy had reached a length of nineteen feet and weighed 150 pounds. The Barkers sent her to the San Antonio Zoo in Texas. She is now over 25 feet long and her weight is estimated to be somewhere between 225 and 275 pounds. She is fed one pig weighing between 20 and 50 pounds every two or three months. |
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Fluffy |
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Photograph courtesy of Bob Clark © 2002 |
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Fluffy is one of the largest reticulated pythons held in captivity that is not living in a zoo. She was raised by Bob Clark. Bob Clark is a herpetologist from Oklahoma that works in the field of herpetoculture. Herpetoculture is the raising and breeding of reptiles and amphibians. Fluffy was born in captivity and is thirteen years old. She has reached a length of 24 feet and a weight of 310 pounds. |
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Unusual Reticulated Pythons |
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Like many reptiles, reticulated pythons are sometimes born with unusual colors and patterns on their scales. |
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These three photographs are courtesy of Bob Clark© 2002 |
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There is still a lot for us to learn about reticulated pythons. They are a source of food for other animals and an important predator in their natural habitat. They have value to people as a source of leather and meat. These giant snakes are not considered to be an endangered species, but their future survival may be threatened by over-hunting and a loss of their natural habitat. |
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Written by Bruce Shwedick©2002 Reptile Discovery Programs |
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REFERENCES: |
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