Tiger python: length and weight, how it looks, the content of a large snake at home

The creepy-looking tiger python has a calm disposition. He is inactive and peaceful. All these qualities make such a snake very popular among owners of home terrariums.

Description of Tiger Python

It should be noted right away that the tiger python (including its species and subspecies) is not poisonous. And its bright appearance attracts all snake lovers. It is interesting to keep such beauties at home, daily observing their life and all kinds of changes.

What does it look like

It is difficult to distinguish the prevailing color of Python molurus. The final color of each individual individual depends on many factors. For example, from the sight of a snake.

Usually on a lighter background with a yellowish tint, dark (for example, brown) spots are located. The latter can be of different shapes and sizes. All together, spots on the skin of a snake form a complex and individual pattern. As a result, it becomes like the skin of a tiger or leopard. This is what primarily explains the name of the python.

A dark streak passes through the reptile's eyes. She begins her journey approximately from the nostrils and reaches the spots on the neck. Another strip is directed downward from the eyes and is curiously wrapped, touching the upper lip of the reptile. On the top of the snake’s head there is a dark spot, somewhat blurred in front. In shape, it resembles an arrowhead.

In the middle of the lateral spots, lighter “eyes” can be found. On the sides of the head, fairly bright stripes with a red or pink tint are clearly visible.Interestingly, such albino tiger python can also be found in nature.

Length and weight

Despite the fact that the discussed snake is non-toxic, it is able to inspire horror to others with its own appearance. This is a very large reptile, the length of which is on average from 1.7 to 3.8 m. The impressive size does not scare many modern lovers of exotic animals, including snakes, people keep tiger pythons even in small city apartments, terrifying the neighbors .

The longest python discovered to date exceeded 4.5 m. At the same time, its weight was more than 50 kg. Interestingly, females always turn out to be somewhat more massive than males.

Reptile subspecies

Initially, the dark and light tiger python was considered one species. Now the first is highlighted in a separate view. Dark brindle python (Python bivittatus) has the maximum distribution. You can recognize it by several signs. First of all, such a snake does not have an “eye” on the side of the figures. This is one of the main differences.

The dark reptile is characterized by larger parameters. In an apartment, with minimal movement and good nutrition, it can grow on average up to 6 meters. In the natural habitat - up to about 5 meters. Such a tiger python has darker colors in color.

For example, it is often dark brown or olive brown. On the surface of the head, you can observe a clear strip, a shape resembling a rhombus. This species lives primarily in South and Southeast Asia.

As for the light tiger python, then there are two of its subspecies. The first was called "Indian." Its lateral spots are usually bright "eyes". Color in brown shades, but lighter than that of the species described above. The arrow on the head of such snakes is slightly blurred. The maximum length of individuals is 5 meters.

The second subspecies is called "Ceylon". It is rarer and comes to Russian reptile lovers from Sri Lanka. The head of such snakes has the lightest color, and the “arrow” on it is very blurry. But the color of the body is brighter. The size of a tiger python usually ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 meters.

Home Content

Keeping a tiger python at home is a tricky and fairly expensive entertainment. So that in the process there are no problems, the breeder must accustom the reptile to himself from a very early age.

Experts do not recommend taking an adult snake. Especially - to take her to her already grown up from another breeder, to whom the reptile is used.

Otherwise, serious problems may arise in her “upbringing”.

In order for the snake to get used to the smell of its owner and consider it close, safe for itself, a person will need to first contact him as often as possible. For example, regularly participate in feeding.

Pythons rarely bite. But such factors can be prompted by some factors. For example, fright. Young and nervous snakes often try to bite the owner at first when he takes them out of the terrarium with his hands.

It is very important to behave correctly in such cases. If, after the first bite attempt, the owner of the reptile is frightened of her reaction and throws the pet back into the aviary, then the snake will understand that it is easy to drive off the owner by demonstrating its aggression.

In subsequent attempts to establish contact, she is likely to behave the same way. Therefore, a person must by all possible means demonstrate his strength and fearlessness. It is necessary to get a snake from a terrarium in a calm environment.

In general, the reptiles discussed are quite calm and peaceful. They easily make contact if the owner behaves correctly. To make a snake's life comfortable, you need to carefully take care of its nutrition, properly equip a terrarium, study information about the necessary care during molting, etc.

Feeding and care

It is very convenient for the owners that such pets do not require frequent feeding.After the next meal, the owner of the snake can forget about this duty for about a week. When a python grows to adulthood, it is fed even less frequently - once every 10–11 days. For starters, live or frozen mice are suitable as a main treat. It is very important to feed such snakes with animal food.

For young animals that have just hatched from eggs, experts recommend taking very young rat pups or mice. When the python grows to 1 meter, then in its menu you can begin to include adult mice. After reaching a size of 3 meters, even large rodents can be used for feeding. Special additives with a high content of vitamins and minerals will also be useful.

It often happens that in the period after the age of 1 month and up to six months, the tiger python suddenly begins to deliberately starve. It is very important to find the reason for such a “strike." Most often this occurs due to hibernation, molting, or pregnancy. If the rejection of food is natural, then the snake will not lose weight. When its volumes nevertheless decrease, you should definitely contact your veterinarian.

It is very important to properly equip a terrarium for reptiles. It must be horizontal at least 70 cm high. The length and width depend on the size of the snake. The following parameters are considered optimal: 200 per 100 cm. The indicated height is convenient for all python care activities. For example, for regular cleaning.

For adults, you should not take a "house" made entirely of glass. They can easily break such a building, resting their nose and tail at opposite ends and springing. The best option is a terrarium made of combined materials. For example, a combination of plastic, glass and wood. No less important is the reliability of the locks. Tiger python is able to easily open even the most durable covers. But you should not forget about ventilation. Usually just small holes in the walls of the structure are enough.

Torn newspapers or wooden sawdust are well suited as litter at the bottom of the dwelling for a snake. In pet stores today you can buy special rugs for snake terrariums. They do not need to be changed often, it is enough to regularly wash / wash. But sawdust or newspapers are necessarily replaced with new ones as they become dirty.

The species of pythons under discussion is most comfortable living with high humidity. Optimum parameters are from 60 to 90 percent. Frequent spraying of the terrarium or a special rain installation will help to achieve this indicator. It is advisable to put a roomy drinking bowl or even a miniature pool in the python’s dwelling, in which he will regularly bathe. But any container with liquid must be very stable, otherwise the snake will constantly turn it over.

Be sure to give your python a "walk" in the fresh air.

But this does not mean that it needs to be taken out onto the street. Enough to let out a reptile in a room on a sunny warm day. The air temperature in the room should not fall below 25 degrees.

If the snake is young and nervous, for the first walks, shelter should be provided in which it will feel completely safe. Later, you can do without such refuge.

Breeding and molting

If the tiger python is properly looked after, then it will start to multiply remarkably even in an ordinary city apartment. In females of this type of reptile, at about 2.5–3.5 years puberty begins. The mating season lasts from mid-autumn to the end of winter. To speed up the process of fertilization, you can arrange an artificial January in the home of the snake, lowering the temperature, humidity, reducing the light.

At the time of mating, a pair of snakes settles in one terrarium. After about 2–5 months, the female lays about 50-60 eggs. The number of babies hatched as a result will depend on many factors. For example, the size and age of the mother.After laying eggs, the female curls up around them and stays in this position for about 2–2.5 months. When the time is right, snake crumbs hatch, the length of which does not exceed 45–55 cm.

No less important for the python is the molting period. You can get ahead of its beginning by the appearance of the snake. Her color fades, her eyes become whitish, unclear. The whole process takes about 2 weeks. This time it is recommended not to feed the reptile. It is important to increase the level of humidity in the home. For example, to spray the snake itself and the walls of its terrarium with warm water.

An ideal option is to remove old skin with a whole stocking. But this result is not always achieved. When moisture is not enough for the skin of the snake, it can come off in separate pieces. You must immediately remove it from the terrarium. When the process of dumping the old "clothes" is completed, you can return the reptile feeding, as well as the previous level of humidity.

The required temperature in the terrarium for the individual

One of the most important aspects of caring for a tiger python is observing the temperature regime in its “house”. Ideally, the creation of two zones at once is required - with and without additional heating. But the temperature transition between them must be made very smooth, otherwise the snake can get sick. For lower heating, which should be constant, thermal mats are well suited, and for the upper - mirror lamps. During the day, the temperature of the heating zone should be 34–36 ° C during the day and 28–29 at night. On average, it is required to maintain a temperature of 25–26 degrees.

Tiger Python Life Span

An adult tiger python is considered as such by about 5-6 years. The lifespan of the reptiles discussed varies greatly. Usually it is 19–26 years old. But there were individuals who at home reached the age of 30 years. But in the wild, scientists still can not establish this exact date.

Interesting facts about a large snake

There is very interesting information about tiger pythons, which will be useful to know for every person who decided to settle such a reptile in captivity at home:

1. The presented snakes never bite the sacrifice that they decided to make their lunch. They entangle her body and squeeze until the animal stops breathing. Only already dead prey is the reptile completely swallowing.
2. In vivo, snakes, caimans, antelopes, and monkeys are favorite snacks.
3. Today, people actively hunt pythons because of their beautiful skin, from which they make a variety of wardrobe items. Most often - bags and wallets.

Tame individuals who grew up at home from birth always turn out to be less aggressive and friendlier than their wild counterparts.

How much is non-toxic python

Such a large non-toxic snake has a fairly high cost. Today, its minimum price from unprofessional breeders starts at 10 thousand rubles. And also it should be remembered that you will have to purchase a terrarium, heating devices and many other goods necessary for a comfortable reptile life in an apartment environment.

If there are small children in the house, experts do not advise taking risks and getting a tiger python. In general, these reptiles are safe, but there is always the threat that they suddenly, for some reason, will show aggression and attack.