Reticulated Python

Reticulated Python (Latin: Reticulatedpython), also known as a Burmese Python or a Net Python, is a large python in the subfamily Pythoninae. It is the longest snake in the world (note: the length of the dwarf reticulated python is only 1.5 meters to 2.3 meters), and is renowned along with the Green Anaconda (the Green Anaconda is the heaviest snake in the world, while the reticulated python is the longest snake in the world). It is named "Reticulated Python" due to its extending eyes to the corners of the mouth, gray-brown or yellow-brown body on the back, and complex diamond-shaped black-brown and yellow or light gray web-like patterns. It is generally about 8-9 meters long, and the longest can reach more than 12 meters. It is already on the verge of extinction.

The longest snake known is the Reticulated Python, which is native to Southeast Asia. It is often believed to reach a length of 10 meters based on several unverified individuals from the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, such evidence is insufficient from a modern scientific perspective, despite references to a supposed 10-meter long specimen from Sulawesi Island in Indonesia in 1912.

The question remains: what is the reliable upper limit of the Reticulated Python's length? Let's take a look at the field survey data collected by biologists over the past few decades. On July 30, 1999, researcher Gabriella Fredriksson tracked an adult female Sun Bear in Borneo and discovered that it had been swallowed by a verified 6.95-meter long giant Reticulated Python. Fredriksson stated that such a large Reticulated Python is extremely rare in the wild. After three months of fasting, the python was weighed and found to be 59 kilograms. In the same article, she also mentioned a 7-meter long Reticulated Python that had swallowed a 32-year-old man.

It is recommended for enthusiasts to keep them as pets, although they have a slender body, they are very powerful predators. There are records in history of humans being strangled and consumed by them. Retriculated Python bred in captivity have a more gentle personality, and developed countries keep them as pets.

(1) Cold

Clinical condition: The cold is mostly caused by large temperature changes. Although it is easily treatable, one should not be careless as it may evolve into respiratory diseases. The clinical symptoms of a cold include sneezing, runny nose, and difficulty breathing, etc.

Treatment methods: In the early stage, warming can be done by raising the temperature to 30 degrees and maintaining it. If the cold is severe, not only warming is required, but also appropriate treatment. Cold medicine can be used to make a solution or be administered orally. Most cold medicines are antibiotics, which have a certain stimulating effect on pythons. Therefore, medication should be avoided unless necessary. The dosage of medication is not clearly defined in China. Personally, I believe that 1/4 to 1/5 of the human dosage can be given through subcutaneous injection.

(2) Stomatitis

Clinical condition: Stomatitis is indeed a common disease in python diseases. Stomatitis can be caused by various factors, such as bacterial invasion during spring or aggressive behavior of pythons. Unsuitable food can also cause stomatitis. Force-feeding by humans can sometimes cause stomatitis as well.

Treatment methods: Stomatitis is not a fatal or difficult disease to treat. There are many successful cases of treatment among snake enthusiasts. The symptoms of stomatitis are mainly redness and swelling in the mouth, possible decay and loss of teeth, and mucous discharge from the corner of the mouth. Severe cases may lead to refusal of food. There are many drugs and methods for treating stomatitis. Firstly, clean water is sprayed into the snake's mouth to remove the mucous. Then, diluted hydrogen peroxide (1:11:3 can be used) and a disinfectant cotton swab are used to clean the oral cavity of the python, removing mucous and debris. After that, diluted gentamicin (2% to 4%, depending on the situation) can be applied to the inner wall of the mouth twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Pay attention to observation. Generally, recovery can be achieved in 4 to 7 days. Once recovered, the medication can be used once every 2 to 3 days. Another method mentioned by an experienced person is to clean with distilled water, disinfect with diluted hydrogen peroxide (1:1), rinse off the foam with distilled water, and then start the treatment with Metronidazole Gel 4 or Watermelon Frost. Change the medicine daily at the beginning and stop using Metronidazole Gel 4 or Watermelon Frost after the wound has healed. Consolidate with a yellow medicine. There are many other treatment methods, and the specific method can be chosen according to personal preference and convenience. In addition, try not to feed during the treatment process, but weak individuals that have not eaten for a long time can be force-fed with milk rats. However, be cautious when force-feeding.

(3) Pneumonia

Clinical condition: Pneumonia can be said to be one of the major killers of pythons. Pneumonia is mainly caused by sudden changes in climate and the lack of timely temperature control facilities. Factors such as high humidity, contaminated air, soaking in cold water, a hot and stuffy habitat in summer can all trigger pneumonia. Therefore, these factors must be avoided. The condition of pneumonia may appear troublesome. The python may have bubbles from its nose and constantly keep its mouth open. When the mouth is opened, the color appears normal and there are no wounds. The python does not like to stay in its own habitat, moves slowly, drinks a lot of water, and breathes with its head at a 45 degree angle. During breathing, there may be a rubbing sound. Ultimately, death occurs from respiratory failure.

Treatment methods: Because pneumonia is contagious, it must be isolated and treated in case of infection. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus invading the snake's respiratory tract, reproducing, producing toxins, and infecting the lungs. The treatment of pneumonia can be divided into oral and subcutaneous injection of medication. There are many drugs available for the treatment of pneumonia. The following are a few commonly used medications for reference: Penicillin, streptomycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, compound coptisine.

Oral medication is a relatively safe treatment method, but the treatment effect is not as fast as injection. Commonly used oral medications include cefuroxime, tetracycline, erythromycin, and gentamicin. If in a state of degeneration, a syringe with water can be used to dilute the medication for oral administration. The dosage is still 1/4 to 1/5 of the human dosage, which means that one syringe of water mixed with the medication can be divided into 4 doses, taken twice a day, morning and evening.

Subcutaneous injection is the fastest and most effective treatment method. Since pneumonia is generally caused by Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria, the drugs can be chosen as penicillin or streptomycin, or gentamicin or compound coptisine and cephalosporin injection solution (penicillin or streptomycin) can be used. The injection dose can be 100,000 to 200,000 units. The dosage of other drugs is also controlled at 1/4 to 1/5 of the human dosage. If the condition is severe, the initial dosage can be increased based on the original dosage. The injection can be done subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Subcutaneous injection: When the pet is physically balanced, a needle can be inserted diagonally from between the scales, and then the medication can be injected. Intramuscular injection: Choose a thick muscle where the pet's interruption is located, and insert the needle obliquely along both sides of the spine. Note that whether it is subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, the medication should not be pushed in all at once, but should be injected in multiple locations. Approximately one injection per 25 square centimeters. The number of intramuscular injections is twice a day.

Reticulated snakes are not difficult to keep, and their needs are similar to those of most other pythons and boas. I keep 9 baby reticulated snakes in 28-quart plastic tubs measuring 20X14X6 inches. As they grow, I move them to larger cages.

Adult retics can live comfortably in a 36X72X36 inch cage. Smaller retics may climb, but large retics are strictly terrestrial, so floor space is more important than height. Plastic tubs work well, but wooden cages should be painted and sealed with wax to minimize heat loss (discussed later).

Squeezing snakes into small spaces requires the right temperature and humidity conditions. Temperature and humidity are the two most important factors. It is advantageous to provide most pythons with gradient temperatures so they can choose their preferred temperature. A range of 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit works well. Interestingly, retics often choose much lower temperatures. I have seen retics voluntarily stay in places in the low 60s Fahrenheit, rather than going to warmer areas.

Since most pythons require temperatures higher than what is comfortable for us, additional heating sources are necessary. The cage can be heated with a light bulb, ceramic heat emitter, or heat tape. It doesn’t matter which method is used as long as the right temperature is achieved. The heat source should be placed at one end of the cage to provide the maximum temperature gradient. The thermometer should be placed on the floor, as retics spend most of their time there.

Retics prefer a high humidity environment, as they come from areas with abundant rainfall. They are most active on nights with the highest humidity (during the day, they usually hide). To ensure proper shedding, captive retics require a humidity of around 70%. This can result in the snake looking its best, and retics will exhibit some of the most memorable colors seen in reptiles if cared for properly.

The humidity in the cage will be lost through ventilation holes, unpainted wood, poorly sealed gaps and cracks. While a completely airtight cage is not recommended, retics do not require a high degree of ventilation. As heat rises, much of the heat is lost from the top of the cage, requiring more heat to be supplied, and this heat cycle can quickly dry out the cage. Therefore, ventilation should be provided on the side of the cage.

I use newspaper as a substrate because it absorbs water, is relatively clean, and readily available. Other substrates may be more aesthetically pleasing. The bark from the bottom of a cypress tree holds moisture well and is not easily degraded. Other wood products will absorb moisture and become dirty. Carpeting intended for indoor or outdoor use is also acceptable for young snakes.