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Quick answer
The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is the world's longest snake, regularly exceeding 5–6 m in Southeast Asian rainforests, rivers, and farmland edges from Indonesia and the Philippines to Malaysia and Thailand. It constricts mammals and birds, and is listed Least Concern, though large individuals are heavily hunted for skins.
Top questions about the Reticulated Python
Also available in Español (Pitón reticulada)
Reticulated Python facts at a glance
- Weight 75 kg
- Length 6 m
- Top speed 5 km/h
- Lifespan 25 years
| Scientific name | Malayopython reticulatus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Rainforest, rivers, and farmland edges |
| Lifespan | Around 25 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 75 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 5 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Pythonidae |
| Genus | Malayopython |
Where it lives
The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is native to Southeast Asia including Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. — recorded across Asia in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a reticulated python?
An adult reticulated python measures 6 m long — about 3.5× the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 75 kg, about 1.1× an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of reticulated pythons called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Reticulated Pythons is called a bed.
Baby name
A baby Reticulated Python is called a hatchling.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Record length constrictor
Verified lengths beyond 6 m make this the longest snake species; mass is high but usually below the heaviest green anacondas. Complex reticulated colour patterns give excellent camouflage in dappled light.
Mammals from rats to deer
Diet spans rodents, monkeys, wild pigs, and deer — prey swallowed whole after constriction. They often hunt near water and village edges where rodents thrive.
Southeast Asian lowlands
Rainforest, rivers, and farmland edges across Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and neighbouring countries. Across its range it is tied to rainforest, rivers, and farmland edges, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Skin trade and conflict
Least Concern overall due to wide range and adaptability, yet intensive skin harvest and killing after livestock predation pressure local giants. They are not typically a conservation crisis species but need sustainable management.
Explore the Reticulated Python
Conservation status of the Reticulated Python
The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Reticulated Python
What is the longest reticulated python ever recorded?
Reliable records exceed 6 m, with some historical claims higher; it holds the title of longest snake species.
Can reticulated pythons eat humans?
Extremely rare documented cases involve unusually large snakes; they normally take mammals and birds of manageable size.
Are reticulated pythons venomous?
No — they kill by constriction for the reticulated python.
Where do reticulated pythons live?
Southeast Asia including Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Why are large pythons hunted?
For skins used in fashion leather and sometimes for meat or fear after livestock losses.
What is a group of reticulated pythons called?
A group of Reticulated Pythons is called a bed.
What is a baby reticulated python called?
A baby Reticulated Python is called a hatchling.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Reticulated Python:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Malayopython reticulatus.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Malayopython reticulatus. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Malayopython reticulatus. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
