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Reticutlated Python (Python reticulatus)
Said to be the longest snake in the world, Reticulated Pythons can reach over 25 feet in length and weigh in at between 200 to 250 pounds. Retics have a reputation for having a bad attitude in captivity. They have a strong feeding response and wild caught specimens and unhandled captive specimens are difficult to handle and will bite in order to escape. Captive born Retics that are handled often, turn into giant snakes that have no problems with being handled and rarely strike. It is best to always purchase a captive born hatched from captive parents (CBB), as wild caught specimens often are infested with parasites and almost always have nasty temperaments. Initially, the snake may be prone to bite. Be patient. Wear gloves when handling the snake and it will learn to trust you and not bite anymore.
Some people recommend feeding the snake outside their cage in a "tote" or separate cage. This way the snake will not associate the opening of their cage with feeding time and be less likely to strike. Babies and juveniles have bright orange eyes with a vertical pupil. This eye coloration tends to fade to a gold color as the snake matures. Babies are about 18 to 24 inches long. They are long and thin compared to the Burmese Python babies who are shorter and stout. As the snake grows, it will remain a thin snake compared to other stout bodied pythons. But once the snake reaches a length of over 12 feet, it will start to fill out and gain body mass as well as length. This is not a laid back kind of snake. They are very active and very strong. Caution should be taken when dealing with an adult. Do not handle an adult without at least one person present with you at all time and when they reach lengths over 20 feet, it is better not to handle them at all. The average life span of a Retic in captivity is said to be around 25 to 30 years.