Reticulated Python: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Snakes · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. The reticulated python is recognised as the longest snake on the planet, and third in mass after the green anaconda and Burmese python.
2. The Guinness Book of World Records confirms it as the sole living snake to regularly exceed six metres in length.
3. Big adults ambush bigger prey: binturong, primates, wild boar and deer that can weigh over 60 kg.
4. It is an excellent swimmer and has been seen far out at sea, which is how it reached many small islands.
5. Wild reticulated pythons measured in southern Sumatra ranged from 1.5 m up to 6.5 m and from 1 kg to 75 kg.

The quiz

1. Which snake is recognised as the longest on the planet?

• The green anaconda
• The reticulated python (correct)
• The Burmese python
• The king cobra

The reticulated python is recognised as the longest snake on the planet.

2. How long does the reticulated python regularly exceed, according to Guinness?

• One metre
• Three metres
• Twelve metres
• Six metres (correct)

It is the sole living snake to regularly exceed six metres.

3. How does the reticulated python hunt?

• By ambush (correct)
• By running down prey
• By digging traps
• In packs

Reticulated pythons are ambush predators.

4. How has the reticulated python reached many small islands?

• By flying short distances
• By gliding between trees
• By swimming, even far out at sea (correct)
• By digging tunnels

It is an excellent swimmer, seen far out at sea, so it has colonised many small islands.

5. How heavy could wild pythons in southern Sumatra be at most?

• 7 kg
• 75 kg (correct)
• 200 kg
• 15 kg

Wild individuals in southern Sumatra ranged from 1 kg to 75 kg.

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