Reticulated Python

Python reticulatus

Juvenile Reticulated Python found in tree in Phra Khanong

Reticulated Python as found in tree. Though a young juvenile, it was over a meter long and strained the small branches.

Subadult Reticulated Python in Khao Phra Thaew (photo courtesy of http://khaophrathaew.org/)

Three-meter long Reticulated Python found in Singapore (photo courtesy of David Greonewoud)

Reticulated Python found in garage in Dusit District (photo courtesy of Michael LaPalma)

Reticulated Python that had consumed a chicken in Min Buri (photo courtesy Peter via Andre)

Same python regurgitating a chicken when captured (photo courtesy Peter via Andre)

Juvenile Reticulated Python crossing road in Khao Yai (photo courtesy of Bernard Dupont)

Another Reticulated Python crossing road in Khao Yai (photo courtesy of Randy Ciuros)

Juvenile Reticulated Pythons for sale on Bangkok street

English name: Reticulated Python
Scientific name: Python reticulatus
Thai name: Ngu Leuam

Description: To 1000cm long. The largest snake in Asia, and the longest snake in the entire world. Head is large with large labial scales lining the mouth. Eyes are large and bright yellow-to-orange. The body is brown with a beautiful black, yellow, and white “reticulated” pattern that gives the snake its name. The head is mostly unmarked other than a black line that extends behind the eye.

Similar Species: The Burmese Python has an arrow-like dark brown marking on the top of its head, and its body has rows of black-bordered dark brown blotches rather than a reticulated black, brown, and yellow pattern.

Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats, including forest, scrubland, grassland, mangrove swamps, and agriculture. Often spends time near the edge of water bodies. Has adapted surprisingly well to urban areas and can even be found in the middle of Bangkok, where it appears to travel via the canal systems. The Reticulated Python is comfortable in trees and is a strong swimmer.

Contribution to the ecosystem: Despite its enormous size, the Reticulated Python actually feeds mainly on rats in urban areas, helping to control Bangkok’s rodent population. It is also known to eat larger mammals (such as pigs, deer, cats, and dogs), birds, and lizards. Adult pythons have no predators in the Bangkok area, but the hatchlings can be eaten by monitors and large birds of prey.

Danger to humans: Though it does not have venom, the Reticulated Python can be a threat to humans on size alone. Even the juveniles are big enough to inflict a nasty bite with their large mouths and long teeth. Larger pythons could potentially constrict and suffocate a human. Care should be taken when going near a large python, and pythons over two meters long should not be handled except by those experienced with large snakes (preferably a team of at least two for any snake over three to four meters long). This being said, pythons rarely attack humans and very few fatalities have been credibly reported.

Conservation status and threats: The Reticulated Python is killed for its meat and skins and captured for the wildlife trade. It is listed in Cites Appendix II.

Interesting facts: The large scales lining the lips of the Reticulated Python contain heat-sensitive pits that allow the python to sense its warm-blooded prey in the dark.

A Reticulated Python found in 1912 on the island of Celebus in Indonesia measured 33 feet, 9 inches long and is the longest snake ever reported.

References:
Siam-Info: Boidae
Reptile Discovery: The Reticulated Python
Wikipedia: Python reticulatus
Nam Kading Research
Ecology Asia: Reticulated Python
Thailand Office of Environmental Planning and Policy: A Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles in Thailand
A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand
Snakes of Thailand and their Husbandry

 

Burmese Python

Python bivittatus bivittatus

Burmese Python found in the Everglades (photo courtesy of Nick Scobel)

Another Burmese Python found in the Everglades (photo courtesy of Todd Pierson)

Burmese Python found in Hong Kong (photo courtesy of Kevin Caldwell)

Another shot of Burmese Python (photo courtesy of Kevin Caldwell)

Burmese Python in captivity (photo courtesy of David Rivera)

Head shot of Burmese Python (photo courtesy of Matt R. Kyle)

Burmese Python found in Bangladesh (photo courtesy of Scott Trageser) http://www.naturestills.com

Burmese Python crossing the road in Khao Yai (photo courtesy of Apiradee Loharungsikul)

Burmese Python on riverbank in Hong Kong (photo courtesy of Rob Ferguson)

Burmese Pythons for sale in Vietnamese market (photo courtesy of Alex Krohn)

English name: Burmese Python
Scientific name: Python bivittatus bivittatus (formerly Python molurus bivittatus)
Thai name: Ngu Larm

Description: To 820cm long. The second largest snake in Asia, and one of the five largest snakes in the entire world. Head is large with large labial scales lining the mouth. Eyes are large and brown. The body is yellowish-brown above fading into grayish-brown on the lower sides. Large brown blotches with black borders line both the top and sides, but are larger and darker on the top. The head has a large dark arrow-shaped marking on the top with a light line in the middle and thick tan lines bordering each side, as well as both pale and dark brown lines extending down and back from the eye.

Similar Species: The Reticulated Python lacks markings on the top of its head and has the “reticulated” pattern of intertwined yellow, brown, and black on its body rather than simple brown blotches.
Russell’s Viper is smaller and has a stout head.

Habitat: Found in grassland, open woodland, and swamps. Is comfortable both in trees and in the water, though larger adults spend more time on the ground as they grow. Does not adapt to urban areas as well as the Reticulated Python and is not typically found within the city of Bangkok itself.

Contribution to the ecosystem: Helps control rodent populations by eating rats and mice, as well as larger mammals, monitors, and birds. Young pythons can be eaten by monitors and large birds of prey.

Danger to humans: Despite not having any venom, the Burmese Python can be a threat to humans on size alone. Even the younger ones can inflict a nasty bite with their large mouths and long teeth, and larger pythons can constrict and potentially suffocate a human. Care should be taken when going near a large python, and pythons over two meters long should not be handled except by those experienced with large snakes (preferably a team of at least two for any snake over three to four meters long). This being said, pythons rarely attack humans and very few fatalities have been credibly reported.

Conservation status and threats: Habitat loss, collection for the pet trade, and hunting for meat, folk medicine, and skins have led the Burmese Python to be considered a Threatened Species and be listed on Appendix II of CITES. It is rare in the Bangkok area.

Interesting facts: Like other pythons, the Burmese Python has heat receptors under certain facial scales that allow it to sense warm-blooded prey, even in the dark.

The Burmese Python is a macrostomatan (‘big-mouthed’) snake that can separate its loosely attached jaws to swallow food 4-5 times larger in diameter than its own head.

Introduced Burmese Pythons have become common in Florida in the United States and are considered an ecological hazard there due to their predation on native wildlife.

References:
Snakes of Taiwan: Python bivittatus bivittatus
Wikipedia: Burmese Python
USGS Fact Sheet: Python molurus bivittatus
National Geographic: Burmese Python
Siam-Info: Boidae
Digimorph: Python molurus, Burmese Python
Thailand Office of Environmental Planning and Policy: A Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles in Thailand
A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand
A Field Guide to the Snakes of South Vietnam
Snakes of Thailand and their Husbandry