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One goal of this care sheet is to raise awareness of and respect for the actual husbandry needs of reticulated pythons, supported by the facts of their physiology and natural history. A snake’s enclosure should be at least large enough to allow the animal to stretch out to its full length as desired.
- Reticulated Python Behavior and Temperament
- Housing The Reticulated Python
- Heat
- Light
- Humidity
- Substrate
- Food and Water
- Common Health Problems
- Choosing Your Reticulated Python
- Similar Species to Reticulated Pythons
Reticulated pythons are not cuddly pets; they have the ability to coil around a person and suffocate them, but if care is taken, they can be handled by multiple individuals when necessary. Weighing in at over 200 lbs., these snakes are usually slow moving, spending most of their day at rest or waiting for their prey. Reticulated pythons are typical...
Because adult reticulated pythons are extremely large, a typical snake terrarium will simply not do. Reticulated pythons require a large, custom enclosure that measures about two feet wide by three feet tall by eight feet long, a small bedroom, or a walk-in closet. A hide box or log of some sort should be available in the enclosure at all times. Se...
Reticulated pythons are from rainforest environments but they don't require extreme heat. You should provide a basking area of 90-92 degrees during the day with the thermal gradient dropping to about 75 degrees on the cool part of the enclosure. A heat light or ceramic heat bulb are ideal for providing these air temperatures but make sure your snak...
If you are using a white heat light to provide heat, then you are also providing light for your reticulated python, but if you are using another type of bulb then you'll still want to provide a source of white light. A 12-hour day and night cycle is necessary to decrease stress and mimic a natural environment. As with the heat light, make sure your...
Reticulated pythons typically need their enclosures to have humidity levels between 50-70%. During shedding, your hygrometer in your enclosure should read closer to 70% unless you have a humidity hide box. If you keep the humidity too high, mold and bacteria will grow more quickly which puts your snake at a higher risk of developing skin infections...
Substrate or bedding for your reticulated python should consist of a bioactive soil, newspaper, aspen wood shavings, cypress mulch, or cardboard. More natural environments will be more difficult to clean. Depending on your level of commitment, money invested, and time available to clean out the enclosure every month, you may want to choose an affor...
Chickens, rabbits and rats are the common prey items fed to full-grown reticulated pythons in captivity. The size of your snake's preyshould be comparable to the widest portion of your snake and offered every one to two weeks. Overfeeding will cause health issues but you shouldn't underfeed it either. Make sure your snake's spine is not visibly sti...
Like other snakes, mouth rot, parasites, wounds from live prey, respiratory issues from cold enclosures, bacterial and fungal infections, retained shed, and impaction are common health concerns for reticulated pythons. Maintaining an appropriately warm and humid environment for your snake can help avoid these and other health problems.
When purchasing any reptile, make sure it is a captive bred (cb) pet and not wild caught. Look for signs of illness around the vent, eyes, and mouth as well as pieces of retained skin from an old shed. If the snake has any nasal or oral discharge or abnormalities to the face, eyes, or skin, it may not be a healthy snake. Once you have found a healt...
If you’re interested in other pet snakes, check out: 1. Burmese Python Species Profile 2. Boa Constrictor Species Profile 3. Red Tail Boa Species Profile Otherwise, check out other types ofreptiles and amphibiansthat can be your new pet!
Taking care of a reticulated python may not be easy for novices and seasonal keepers. For avid snake owners, the job will be easy. The snake just needs a safe and secure enclosure, a good substrate, hide box, water dish, lighting and heating systems, and a stable supply of food to stay active and healthy.
- Reticulated python
- Python reticulatus
- 12 to 20 years (in captivity)
- 10 to 20 feet
Reticulated Python Care Sheet. Scientific Name: Malayopython reticulatus. Potential Adult Size: 400-600cm (150-240 inches) Average Life Span: 20+ years. Dietary Requirements: Carnivorous. Distribution: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and more.
Sep 25, 2012 · Updated January 30, 2023. Reticulated Python ( Python reticulatus) The reticulated python, also known as the “retic,” has long captivated its audience with its large, muscular build, gorgeous iridescence and the beautifully patterned skin for which it is named.
Apr 1, 2024 · The Complete Advanced Reticulated Python Care Guide. Updated: April 1, 2024. Published by. Introduction. Alright reptile enthusiasts, are you ready to get up close and personal with the longest, heaviest, and most powerful snakes on Earth? We’re talking about the one and only reticulated python!
Nov 17, 2022 · Reticulated pythons are a tropical species, and need an average humidity between 65-85%, fluctuating lower during the day and higher at night. Measure humidity with an outdoor hygrometer placed in the middle of the enclosure.
