Reticulated python

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

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 snake. It is a non-venomous constrictor and an excellent swimmer that has been reported far out at sea. It has colonized many small islands within its range. Because of its wide distribution, it is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. 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, it is one of the most economically important reptiles worldwide. In very rare cases, reticulated pythons killed and swallowed adult humans.