Malayopython reticulatus
Fast Facts
- Reticulated pythons are the world’s the longest snakes.
- These snakes subdue prey using constriction, applying pressure strong enough to stop blood flow, which causes unconsciousness and death quickly—more efficiently than suffocation.
- Reticulated pythons have specialized heat-sensing pits along their upper lips that allow them to detect warm-blooded animals even in complete darkness.
Range
Southeast Asia and Indonesia
Habitat
Tropical rainforests, woodlands, and riversides
Size
10–20 feet long; some exceed 22 feet
Nutrition
Feeds on mammals like rodents, birds, and pigs