Pythonids
Constrictors of the Old World
The pythonids are the large constricting snakes of the Old World (Africa, Asia, Australia, Oceania), non-venomous. The family is very varied: some species stay small (under a metre), others are among the largest snakes in the world. All lay eggs, which the female incubates coiled around them.
Very different sizes
The royal python, small and docile, is the reference species for beginners — see its factsheet. At the other extreme, the Burmese python (up to 6 m, 130 kg) and above all the reticulated python — the longest snake in the world, up to 8 m — are impressive animals requiring custom-built facilities and real experience. Their power makes them snakes to be reserved for well-informed keepers.
Its essential needs
Like all large constrictors, a python needs a terrarium sized to its adult dimensions, a heat gradient controlled by a thermostat, humidity sufficient for a good slough, a source of clean water and an escape-proof closure. Before taking one on, find out precisely what the adult size of the species is: a pretty juvenile can become an animal several metres long.
Content from the Au Furet veterinary practice, rewritten for owners.
In Switzerland: certificate of competence required Common non-venomous snakes often come under a certificate of competence and secure keeping conditions. Venomous species, on the other hand, fall into a different category. Legal framework in detail →
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