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Burmese Python vs Reticulated Python Comparison!

Snakes make interesting and unusual pets and many people have become engaged in this hobby in recent years.

Snakes are becoming increasingly popular, but they can be challenging to care for, and should only be owned by responsible and experienced people; it is very important to know what you are doing and have funds set aside if you are thinking of getting one (as they can be expensive to keep).

It is also important to do some thorough research before you settle on a kind of snake to keep, and that’s why we are going to look at a Burmese python vs a reticulated python.

These two enormous snakes share some similarities, but they are fairly different in terms of looks, size, personality, and native environment, and it’s important to weigh up which would better suit you before you buy one.

Reticulated pythons are from South and Southeast Asia, while Burmese pythons are found in Southeast Asia only. They have different patterns and coloration, and they require somewhat different environments. 

Both like water, but reticulated pythons prefer to have access to actual water, whereas Burmese pythons enjoy having a marshy environment.

They are large and capable of inflicting major damage on humans, so you will need to ensure that you can handle them. They are not good species for beginners and should be avoided by all except those experienced in keeping snakes.

Which Is Longer, A Burmese Python Or A Reticulated Python?

These snakes can vary significantly in length, but the reticulated python is usually longer than the Burmese python, and can reach an incredible length of over six meters.

Indeed, the reticulated python is the longest snake in the world, and some people report that it can reach ten meters (although this claim has not been verified).

By contrast, a Burmese python can reach close to six meters long, and will be at least two meters as an adult. A reticulated python will be at least three meters as an adult, so it will be longer than a Burmese by the time the two reach adulthood.

However, a Burmese python is often classed as a larger snake because it is usually quite a lot heavier. Burmese pythons may weigh around 400 lb. as adults, while adult reticulated pythons will usually only reach around 350 lb.

If you are going to be handling the snakes, this weight could make a big difference, and may also alter what you can put in the enclosure.

You will need to build an enclosure that is suitable for your adult snake, so make sure you know how big it is likely to get before you buy one (especially if you are buying a baby, rather than a juvenile or adult), and budget for its final adult tank. It is best to get a tank above the minimum average size, or at least to have funds set aside.

Can Reticulated Pythons Breed With Burmese Pythons?

It is rare for different species of pythons to breed with each other, which is why the distinct breeds exist in the first place.

However, it is possible to get a reticulated python to breed with a Burmese python in captivity, but this is extremely difficult to do and will require an experienced handler who knows how to create the perfect conditions.

It is also often discouraged among the serious keepers of pythons, because it can cause issues and may result in injury, especially if the male is significantly larger than the female and could therefore damage her while mating.

Hybridization can also cause problems with the gene pool among captive snakes and may result in a hybrid being passed off as one or the other parent breed, rather than a hybrid – which can cause a lot of complications if it is then permitted to breed.

If you do want to breed a reticulated python with a Burmese python, it is crucial that you consult a specialist with expertise in snakes.

The offspring of a reticulated python and a Burmese python is known as a Borneo bat eater, and this breed does not exist in the wild – only in captivity.

Bat eaters are very rare and quite expensive, partly because it is so difficult to breed them. Bat eaters can be bred with reticulated pythons to produce a Jungle reticulated, or with Burmese pythons to produce Jungle Burms.

Burmese Python Vs Reticulated Python Diets!

Both of these pythons are obligate carnivores and they do not consume any plant matter; they must be exclusively fed on meat.

As the snake grows, you will need to provide larger meals, but the babies of both species will usually eat mice.

Once the snake is larger, it is best to offer it rats, although both snakes will also eat rabbits when they are approaching adulthood.

In the wild, reticulated pythons can hunt extremely large prey, including deer and even sun bears.

They are one of the few snakes that can actually kill and eat humans (which is why many people are worried about them being kept as pets), but it is rare for them to do so.

Wild Burmese pythons will also attack deer, farm animals such as goats, and in some situations, even alligators.

If you own one of these snakes, it will be crucial to feed it well to keep it healthy. Babies should be given frozen mice approximately once a week, but as the snake gets bigger, start providing larger, less frequent meals, such as rats or rabbits every few weeks.

Conclusion

So, getting a Burmese python vs a reticulated python involves a huge amount of research and also plenty of funds, as you will need an extremely large tank for either kind of snake. Do not consider getting either of these snakes if you are not already an experienced hobbyist, as they can be dangerous if not kept properly, and they are not easy to care for. Burmese pythons are smaller but heavier than reticulated pythons, and are generally more placid, making them easier to keep.