April 20: The Galápagos Islands exhibit will close early at 4:30pm for a private event.

Reticulated Python

This is an extremely large snake! Lengths of more than 16 feet are common, and sizes of 25 feet or more occur regularly. Pythons are constrictors; they use their sharp teeth to capture their prey, then kill the animals by wrapping around them and squeezing. One thing this snake will eat is large hoofed animals, even those with antlers!

Animal Facts

Scientific Name

Python reticulatus

Range

Southeast Asia: Nicobar Islands, Burma through Indochina, and Borneo, Sulawesi, Ceram and Timor

Status in the Wild

Not Evaluated

Location in the Zoo

Reptile and Amphibian House

Cool Animal Fact

Mother snakes coil around their eggs and “shiver” with muscle contractions that generate body heat and warm up the eggs. Mothers also defend their eggs against predators.