Retic Python
Perth Zoo’s huge 5-metre long reticulated python “Cuddles” is being treated with antibiotics to give him a healthy boost after the giant elderly snake stopped eating last year.
Reticulated pythons are considered the longest snakes in the world, mainly thanks to the females who can grow up to 10 metres long.
Cuddles, as a male, is about 5 metres long but it still took four keepers to lift him out of his exhibit today so he could be examined and given antibiotics by Perth Zoo Chief Vet Dr Simone Vitali.
After his injection, the keepers coiled him into a crate for a 20-minute nebuliser treatment of inhalable anti-bacterial medication to help destroy any bacteria that may be causing him problems.
Dr Vitali said Cuddles, who weighs around 58kg, had been looking peaky for several weeks but the treatment regime was starting to show results and he had recently eaten a small chicken.
She said the reason so many keepers were needed to carry Cuddles was due more to his strength than his size.
“Pythons are like one big ball of muscle, ” she said. “While they are not venomous, they can deliver a severe bite.”
Reticulated pythons eat birds and mammals. Once caught, their prey is constricted and swallowed whole. They are native to South-east Asian rainforests.
Cuddles is thought to be at least 25 years old.
He arrived at Perth Zoo in1997. He was originally kept illegally as a pet and surrendered to Taronga Zoo in NSW, which sent him west to be cared for by Perth Zoo.
The term reticulated means ‘net-like’, referring to the python’s skin pattern. Reticulated pythons have a complicated black net-like pattern that is yellow-edged with large pale spots on the side.
india news latest india walton india walton india by train india beyond 2020 challenges and opportunities in tamil india festival despite covid india forums india outside t20 world cup india government india of my dreams essay india outside country india zip code list india india till india inside how many states india versus england test india under british rule map india without urdu india hut india in spanish india without electricity india from love island india date and time india under british rule india without power india e visa india area india at paralympics 2021 india quarantine until when india zoo india about afghanistan situation india facts india england test series india against china india us visa appointment india afghanistan india festival despite covid india money india towards cashless economy ppt india bistro india independence india facts india on afghanistan india up covid india from space at night india outside world cup india olympics india around the world india young india independence day india pro volleyball league india quarantine rules india like italy and china challenges in front of india's security system india flavors india beyond 2020 india travel restrictions india versus england besides india holi is also celebrated in india up rashtrapati india holidays 2021 india into dollar india out of t20 world cup 2021 india sweets and spices movie india towards digitalization india against england india versus england matchYou might also like






Giant Constrictors: Biological and Management Profiles and an Establishment Risk Assessment for Nine Large Species of Pythons, Anacondas, and the Boa Constrictor Book (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform) |
|
![]() |
Framed Artwork of Exotic Species / Reptile Breeding Farm - Breeder and Python Home (Ardea Wildlife Pets)
|
![]() |
Tfh Nylabone STFCH820 Herp Care Ball Pythons Pet Products (TopDawg Pet Supply)
|


