can you explain the difference?

Python sebae is the African Rock Python. This is not to be confused with the Southern (Lesser, or Dwarf) African Rock Python (Python natalensis). The Southern African Rock Python was once recognized as a sub-species of the African Rock Python, but was separated and deemed its own species. The African Rock Python averages around 16' in length for females in captivity. They are very similair to the Burmese Python and are somewhat related. The African Rock Python grows somewhat slower than the Burmese Python. The Southern African Rock Python holds a record at 14'.


The Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) is a species of Asiatic Rock Python. It is a subspecies of the Indian Python (Python molurus molurus). It is a large, girthy ambush predator. Record size for the Burmese Python is 27.5' and 403lbs. Burmese Pythons average 12-13' or so for males, and 14-16' for females. There are much larger specimens in captivity, and many have been recorded at 20'. These individuals are older, somewhere around their Teenage years. They do spend some time in the water, or near water. They have a background color of a cream to yellow, with large rectangular blotches of a deep chocolate brown to lighter brown varying. Their head is big and blocky as adults. When threatened, they show signs of aggression by hissing, raising their body to the typical S shaped strike, and "wagging" their tail slowly. The tail wagging somewhat resembles the caudal luring technique found in some viperdiae species. These Pythons grow at a somewhat fast rate, attaining sizes of 6 to 9 feet by their first birthday. Most can breed by the time they are 18 months old. They lay clutches on average of 30 to 50 eggs. I believe the record is 102 eggs set by Mike Wilbanks' large albino female. They hatch out with brighter contrasting colors, and later on fade out and darken, with most attaining black speckling down their sides. Some adults do hold their brighter juvenile coloring.

The Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus reticulatus) holds the record for the longest snake ever recorded, at 32' 9.5". I believe this specimen was shot in Celebes in 1912. They aren't as girthy on average as the Burmese Python, however some do attain a girthy figure.


...This is all I can really comment on. I do not know much on the Reticulated Python. My studies and focus is on the Rock Python species. I wish I could help more.

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Originally Posted by AndrewH

Python sebae is the African Rock Python.

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Thanks for filling in those details.:)

Its no problem.

I don't know a whole lot about either species of these snakes, but generally speaking (anyone with more knowledge on these species correct me if I'm wrong):

Size:
Retics are capable of maxing out at a larger size than Burms, but they are both "giant" species of snakes. Record sizes for both species are probably not marginal when compared to each other. Either way, if you end up with a 25-foot Burm or a 33-foot Retic (not likely if you practice conservative feeding habits), you are going to have a huge snake on your hands to take care of. It's adviseable to always have at least one other person helping you out with giant snakes, especially if you are not experienced with them.

About conservative feeding: This is a practice I have learned about from breeders of Boa Constrictors. Simply put, once a snake reaches its "average" max. length, you can slow down your feeding or feed smaller prey items to safely slow the snakes growth rate for the remainder of its life. It will already be slowed down a lot compared to when it was a hatchling/juvenile, and should not affect the snake in a bad way.

Weight:
I have heard that Burms are the heaviest bodied snakes when comparing their length to other species. For example, a 10-foot Burm has more mass than a 10-foot Retic. Again, By comparison I don't think it is going to make a heck of a lot of difference if you are planning on keeping either of these species for its entire life.

Enclosures:
I have seen different opinions expressed on the topic of enclosure size for giant snakes from an entire small room per snake to a cage half the length of the snake. I would personally assume that a cage at least half the length of the snake, and not too shallow would be fine. I also don't believe that height would be a huge factor for enclosures for these species, as they are terrestrial, heavily bodied snakes. As for temperature needs and humidity levels, I have no idea what differences there are between the species. Perhaps the people at NERD could help you out with the needs of Retics.

Attitudes:
It is a popular opinion that Retics can have nasty attitudes... I've heard the term "typical Retic disposition," but then again I have heard the same about Green Tree Pythons, and the more I read about them, the more I find that it does not pertain to every snake of that species. I have also heard of "puppy tame" Retics, so it may be variable between each snake. That being said, I have never personally met a really nice Retic, but I have not met many, either. I've also heard of some nasty Burms. Apparently a lot of them can be "nippy" as hatchlings, and calm down as they age. In my personal experience, I have owned a Burm that was totally sweet from hatchling to 6 feet in length. I owned another that was "nippy" as a hatchling and continued to be a bit unpredictable up to 4 feet in length. It's a good idea to get your snake accustomed to being handled at times, and there are hook training methods for giant snakes. You also don't want to go to handle your snake after handling your furry friends and expect your snake to understand what's going on.

Anything else:
Make sure you are capable of keeping a giant snake before you go out and buy a cute hatchling. :)

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Either way, if you end up with a 25-foot Burm or a 33-foot Retic

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come on we need to be realistic. burms will almost never reach 25+ only for the fact of little excersize etc. same as a retic.there are several things to consider when thinking of a 25+ foot snake. also EVEN if it does get that big a zoo will likely put it on display.

Your post makes little sense. It is possible, and realistic. Burms can attain those sizes. It has already happened. Excersize has little to do with it. Genetic background, food intake and other factors decide this. And what of a zoo putting it on display? Your saying if one of my girls grew that big a zoo would take it from me and put it on display?...:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by uro1001

come on we need to be realistic. burms will almost never reach 25+ only for the fact of little excersize etc. same as a retic.there are several things to consider when thinking of a 25+ foot snake. also EVEN if it does get that big a zoo will likely put it on display.

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Originally Posted by AndrewH

Your post makes little sense. It is possible, and realistic. Burms can attain those sizes. It has already happened. Excersize has little to do with it. Genetic background, food intake and other factors decide this. And what of a zoo putting it on display? Your saying if one of my girls grew that big a zoo would take it from me and put it on display?...:rolleyes:

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take your snake? no ask to put it on display? most definetly. notice how i said"etc" meaning many factors play in. just remember 27 ft is the largest captive snake 25 isnt far from 27 and that is very rare for a burm so most definetly a zoo will ask to put the snake on display

The zoo may ask to put it on display however I highly doubt it. They have no legal rights to confiscate your snake if you are providing proper housing, and proper care. To ask to put it on display, I do doubt. Most zoo's have enough on their hands when it comes to Giant Boids. Ontop of that factor, they do not wish to risk introducing any possible diseases or illnesses into their current stock of animals, as well as any type of parasite. Believe me on this one. Zoo's are very strict on things like this....


You listed Excersize as the main factor, when excersize is the least important factor. Excersize helps to build and tone muscle. They get enough of that through feeding, and roaming their cage, as well as being pulled out for handling sessions. Rare? yes. Impossible or impracticle? no....

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Originally Posted by uro1001

take your snake? no ask to put it on display? most definetly. notice how i said"etc" meaning many factors play in. just remember 27 ft is the largest captive snake 25 isnt far from 27 and that is very rare for a burm so most definetly a zoo will ask to put the snake on display

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Basically what was said was if you end up with a snake that large, be prepared. It is possible for them to attain those lengths. If your unable to care for a snake that large, then maybe the person should reconsider getting one.

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Originally Posted by uro1001

come on we need to be realistic. burms will almost never reach 25+ only for the fact of little excersize etc. same as a retic.there are several things to consider when thinking of a 25+ foot snake. also EVEN if it does get that big a zoo will likely put it on display.

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Did you even read my whole post?