Reticulated python

The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is a python species native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the world's longest snake, and the third heaviest after the green anaconda and Burmese python. It is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List because of its wide distribution. In several countries in its range, it is hunted for its skin, for use in traditional medicine, and for sale as pets. Due to this, reticulated pythons are one of the most economically important reptiles worldwide.

Reticulated python
Temporal range: Pleistocene to recent
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Malayopython
Species:
M. reticulatus
Binomial name
Malayopython reticulatus
(Schneider, 1801)
Synonyms
List
  • Boa reticulata
    Schneider, 1801
  • Boa rhombeata
    Schneider, 1801
  • Boa phrygia
    Shaw, 1802
  • Coluber javanicus
    Shaw, 1802
  • Python schneideri
    Merrem, 1820
  • Python reticulatus
    — Gray, 1842
  • Python reticulatus
    — Boulenger, 1893
  • Morelia reticulatus
    — Welch, 1988
  • Python reticulatus
    — Kluge, 1993
  • Broghammerus reticulatus
    — Hoser, 2004
  • Malayopython reticulatus
    — Reynolds et al., 2014

It is an excellent swimmer, has been reported far out at sea, and has colonized many small islands within its range.

Like all pythons, it is a non-venomous constrictor. In very rare cases, adult humans have been killed (and in at least three reported cases, eaten) by reticulated pythons.

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