Malayopython reticulatus (Schneider, 1801)

Figueroa, Alex, Low, Martyn E. Y. & Lim, Kelvin K. P., 2023, Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution, Zootaxa 5287 (1), pp. 1-378 : 218-221

Malayopython reticulatus (Schneider, 1801) — Native.

Boa Reticulata Schneider, 1801: 264–266 . Neotype: ZFMK 32378 , designated by Auliya et al. (2002: 206). Type locality: None stated/traced; later designated as “Rengit, West Malaysia ” via neotype designation .

Reticulated Python ( Figure 25C )

Singapore records.

“ Python ”— Anonymous, 1826: 386.— Little, 1848: 470.— Anonymous, 1879: 64.— Dennys, 1879a: 267.— Buddle, 1929: 43.— Anonymous, 1952: 7 (Pulau Damar Laut).— Harrison & Tham, 1973: 253.— L.M. Chou, 1988a: 58 (Kent Ridge Campus [NUS]).—P. Chuah, 1988: 68 (Eng Neo Ave).— Subharaj, 1989: 29 (Seaside Park [Siglap]).— Cymro, 1989: 73 (Sister’s Island).— Daud, 2017a (Normanton Park).— Daud, 2017b (Sengkang Park).— Daud, 2018 (“near Blocks 330 and 331,Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1”).—T.W. Toh, 2018 (Bishan).—Zheng, 2018a (“Bukit Batok wet market”).— Zheng, 2018b (“Block 832 Jurong West Street 81”).—Zheng, 2018c (“Block 726 Jurong West Avenue 5”).—A. Tan, 2019b (Jurong West).—A. Tan, 2019c (“near Block 613, Jurong West Street 62”).—Z. Tee, 2019a (“outside Tang Plaza in Orchard Road”).—Thet, 2019 (Yishun).—J. Yeo, 2019 (Serangoon Road).—Zheng, 2019b (Orchard Road).—Zheng, 2019c.—Zheng, 2019d.— Zheng, 2019e (“Blk 822” Jurong West).— Hawa, 2020 (Jurong West).— Lay, 2020.—Ong, 2020 (Tanah Merah Coast Road).—Zheng, 2020a (Redhill).—Zheng, 2020b (Block 243 Hougang Street 22).— Jinghui, 2021 (Blk 12 Dakota Crescent).— Koay, 2021.— Lay, 2021c (Ulu Pandan canal).— Lay, 2021d (Kranji).—J. Lee, 2021 (Jurong West Street 64).— Lui, 2021.—G.Z. Tan, 2021 (Ulu Pandan Park Connector).—Zheng, 2021b (Jiak Kim Bridge, Robertson Quay).— Lay, 2021e (Block 343 Clementi Avenue 5).— Lay, 2022a (Bukit Timah Nature Reserve).— Lay, 2022b (Boon Lay).— Lay, 2022c (“the vicinity of Blocks 490 to 499 Jurong West”).

“ Boa constrictor ”— Anonymous, 1839: 256.

Python reticulatus — Cantor, 1847b: 904.— Cantor, 1847c: 1076.— Dennys, 1880a: 3.— Blanford, 1881: 216.— Hoffmann, 1890b: 1827.— Davison, 1892: 88.— Boulenger, 1893: 85.— Flower, 1896: 877.— Boettger, 1898: 8.— Hanitsch, 1898: 19.— Flower, 1899: 654.—Ridley, 1899: 207.—Hanitsch, 1908: 43.— Hanitsch, 1912b: 15.—Shelford, 1916: 88.— de Rooij, 1917: 20.— Sworder, 1923: 59.—Sworder, 1924a: 20 (Pulau Ubin).—Smith, 1943: 1111, 527.— de Haas, 1950: 523.— Harman, 1961: 182.—D.S. Johnson, 1964: 26.— Chuang, 1973: 4.—Sharma, 1973: 238.—Zaman & Colley, 1975: 182.—L.M. Chou et al., 1980: 71.— Beaver & Maleckar, 1981: 241.—F.L.K. Lim, 1984: 17.— Choo-Toh et al., 1985: 117 (Bukit Timah Nature Reserve).— Hall, 1988: 89 (Pasir Panjang Hill).—R. Ngim et al., 1988: 91 (Alexandra Park [= AW]).—K. Lim, 1989e: 38 (Sister’s Island).—F.L.K. Lim & M.T.-M. Lee, 1989: 117.—K. Lim, 1990a: 7 (Seletar Reservoir Park [USRP]; Upper Peirce Reservoir Road).—K.K.P. Lim & L.M. Chou, 1990: 53.—K.K.P. Lim, 1991a: 3 (“chicken farm in the west of Singapore Island ” [LCK]; Lim Chu Kang Road [LCK]).—K.K.P. Lim & Subharaj, 1991: 4 (Coralarium [Sentosa]; Nee Soon Swamp Forest).—Subharaj & K.K.P. Lim, 1991b: 2 (Lim Chu Kang Road [LCK]; Serapong Jetty Road [Sentosa]).—F.L.K. Lim, 1991: 45.—D.S. Johnson, 1992: 36.—K.K.P. Lim & Subharaj, 1992: 5 (Bukit Timah Road; Jungle Fall Valley [BTNR]; Lower Peirce Reservoir; Malcolm Road; Mandai Road; Old Upper Thomson Road; Punggol Road; Seaside Park [Siglap]; Ulu Sembawang).—K.K.P. Lim & F.L.K. Lim, 1992: 48, 144.—W.K. Tan, 1992: 28.—Wee, 1992: 74 (Lower Peirce Reservoir Park).—E.K. Chua, 1993: 69.—K.K.P. Lim, 1993a: 2 (Jurong Road).— L.M. Chou et al., 1994: 105.—K.K.P. Lim & Subaraj, 1994: 5 (City School of Commerce, Paterson Road; Pulau Ubin).—K.K.P. Lim & Subaraj, 1994: 5 (Lornie Road).—R. Subaraj, 1994: 12 (Mandai Track 15; Upper Peirce West Forest).—K. Lim, 1994: 42 ( Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute Jurong).—J.K.Y. Low et al., 1994: 158.—L.M. Chou, 1995: 147.—K. Lim et al., 1995: 13 (Old Upper Thomson Road).—K. Lim, 1995: 14 (Balestier Hill; Bukit Timah Road; Istana; Mount Imbiah [Sentosa]).—R. Subaraj, 1995: 35 (Pulau Ubin).— David & Vogel, 1996: 43.—K.K.P. Lim, 1996: 51.—R.C.H. Teo & Rajathurai, 1997: 375 (Bukit Timah [BTNR]; Lower Peirce [LPF]; Mandai; MacRitchie; Nee Soon [NSSF]; Upper Seletar).— Cox et al., 1998: 14.—Chan-ard et al., 1999: 38.—Paperna & Martelli, 2000: 193.— Iskandar & Colijn, 2001: 31.—B.P.L. Goh et al., 2002: 54.—K.P. Lim & F.L.K. Lim, 2002: 145.—Paperna, 2002: 161.— Anonymous, 2003: 92 (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve).— Fry et al., 2003a: 447.— Fry et al., 2003b: 2049.—Paperna et al., 2004: 475.—H.T.W. Tan et al., 2007: 49.—N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2008: 91, 160.—H.T.W. Tan et al., 2010: 68, 69.—D.L. Yong et al., 2010: 232.— Davison et al., 2012: 196.—Wallach et al., 2014: 621.—Yak et al., 2014: 1.—Chan-ard et al., 2015: 153.— Mathew et al., 2015: 173.—Yak et al., 2015: 40.—M.A.H. Chua et al., 2016: 105.—B. Sommung & Hawkeswood, 2017: 1.—J.J.-M. Koh et al., 2018: 494.—H.C. Ho et al., 2019: 87 (Bukit Merah).

Python Schneideri — Jan, 1863: 26.

Python reticulatus reticulatus — de Lang & Vogel, 2005: 205.

Broghammerus reticulatus —M.F.C. Ng, 2009: 109 (Semakau Landfill [PS]).— Das, 2010: 258.—M.A.H. Chua, 2011: 281.— Corlett, 2011a: 48.—L.L. Grismer, 2011a: 167.—P.K.L. Ng et al., 2011: 425.— N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2012: 91, 160.— Das, 2012a: 14.—M.F.C. Ng, 2012: 68, 146 (Semakau Landfill [PS]).—L.K. Wang et al., 2012: 169.—R. Subaraj, 2015: 52 ( Singapore Zoo).—S. Subaraj, 2015: 3, 6 ( Singapore Zoo; Stephen Lee Woods [= RPN]).—W. Wong, 2017: 52.—E.K. Chua, 2022: 166 (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve).

Malayopython reticulatus — Chim, 2014: 112, 113 (Saint John’s Island).—I.S. Law, 2014b: 253, 254 (Venus Trail [WNP]).— Ambede, 2015: 133–136 (Nanyang Technological University Jurong Campus).—E.K. Chua, 2015: 8.—Rajeshkumar et al., 2015: 51.—K.K.P. Lim et al., 2016: 180 (Pulau Tekong).—M.-R. Low et al., 2016: 148–149 (Jurong Bird Park).—Xu & Morgany, 2016: 74 (Kent Ridge [NUS]).— de Lang, 2017: 321.— Devan-Song et al., 2017: 707.—Murray-Dickson et al., 2017: 5.— Das, 2018: 20.— Kalki et al., 2018: 703.—H.C. Ho et al., 2019: 124, 125 (Alexandra Woodlands; Clementi Forest).—Sankar & Harrick, 2019: 48.—C.J. Tan, 2019a: 50.—H.T.W. Tan et al., 2019: 131, 134, 135 (Kent Ridge Park; National University of Singapore Kent Ridge Campus).—R.C.H. Teo & Thomas, 2019: 160, 180 (Bukit Timah Nature Reserve).—C. Yeong et al., 2019: 7 ( Singapore Zoo).— Charlton, 2020: 64.—K.K.P. Lim, 2020: 2.—N. Kim, 2020a: 68 (Lorong Halus Wetland).—K.H. Koh & Chanani-Parikh, 2021: 2.—Sankar et al., 2021: 1 (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve).—See, 2021: 1 (Thomson Nature Park).—E.K. Chua, 2022: 57 (Upper Peirce Reservoir).—M.L. Kwak & A. Ng, 2022: 929.—K.M. Ngo et al., 2022: 2.

Python curtus —Callaghan, 2018: 138.

Python Reticulatus —H.C. Ho et al., 2019: 67 (Clementi Forest).

“Reticulated python”— He, 2015 (Nanyang Technological University).— Lay, 2017a (MacRitchie North [MNF]).—Zheng, 2018d.—A. Tan, 2019a (“Housing Board maisonette in Eunos”).—Zheng, 2019a (Boon Lay).— Anonymous, 2020 (Tanglin Road).—Thiagarajan, 2020a (88A Redhill Close).—Thiagarajan, 2020b (Commonwealth Secondary School).—Thiagarajan, 2020c (Potong Pasir).—Thiagarajan, 2020d (Pasir Ris Park).—Thiagarajan, 2020e (Stirling Road).—Zheng, 2020f (Jurong West Avenue 1).— Ishak, 2021 ( Holland Link).— Lay, 2021a (Mandai Road).— A. Tan, 2021c (Dairy Farm Nature Park).—A. Tan, 2021e (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve).— Zheng, 2021c (Senoko).— How, 2022 (Tanah Merah).—N. Chua, 2022 (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve).— Daud, 2022.—M. Ang, 2023 (Choa Chu Kang).—A. Kwa, 2023 (“food court in Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) North Spine Plaza”).

Remarks. There has been debate as to the correct genus-group name for which to assign this species (e.g., Kaiser et al. 2013; Reynolds et al. 2014). As we follow the taxonomic framework of the Reptile Database (see Methods), we follow the assignment of this species to Malayopython . Malayopython reticulatus is a very common species that can be found in all habitats throughout Singapore and even frequents highly urbanised areas ( Baker & Lim 2012), canals ( Lee 2021; Zheng 2021b), buildings and homes (Sworder 1923; Xu & Morgany 2016; Zheng 2018a; A. Tan 2019a; Tee 2019a; Thiagarajan 2020b; Kwa 2023), toilets ( Lay 2021d), major roadways (Yeo 2019; Anonymous 2020; Lay 2021a), and even entering cars (Thiagarajan 2020a; Lui 2021; Daud 2022). Given its feeding preference for mammals, it is well-known that M. reticulatus is attracted to the abundance of rats in urban areas, as demonstrated by a python that regurgitated a rat while being rescued from a drain at an unknown location on 7 March 2021 ( Koay 2021). However, numerous cases of pythons feeding on domestic pets, particularly cats (Daud 2017, 2018; Toh 2018; A. Tan 2019b, c; How 2022; Lay 2020, 2021e, 2022c; Zheng 2018b, 2019 a, d, 2020b; Thiagarajan 2020e), and dogs ( Ishak 2021) have been reported. One notable observation was video recorded recently and shows a python feeding (then regurgitating) a cat on the side of a busy road ( Lay 2022b). Indeed, a map provided by Devan-Song et al. (2017) illustrates the urban distribution of M. reticulatus throughout Singapore. Numerous predation events on M. reticulatus by Ophiophagus hannah have also been documented ( Ambede 2015; He 2015; Lay 2017a; Sankar et al. 2021; A. Tan 2021c, e), and so has scavenging by Varanus salvator ( Lay 2021c; G.Z. Tan 2021).

Malayopython reticulatus was first reported from Singapore by Anonymous (1826) who points out that they were “improperly called the boa constrictor ” as in the story recounted in Anonymous (1839) where a python measuring “thirty feet in length and four in circumference” was killed while “cutting through the jungle for a road across the Island ”. Another account also noted pythons reaching “the enormous length of 30 feet ” ( Little 1848), but the largest pythons ever recorded from Singapore is a stuffed specimen in ZRC measuring “ 22 ft. ” (6.7 m) (Hanitsch 1908), which is likely the one Dennys (1879a) kept captive at the Raffles Museum, and another that measured “ 16 feet ” (4.8 m) ( Harman 1961). Although, M. reticulatus is known for reaching lengths of up to 10 m ( Baker & Lim 2012), current data suggests this species does not grow much larger than 4 m nowadays in Singapore (M.-R. Low unpub. data). Unlike in other countries where M. reticulatus is heavily harvested for meat and for its skin (Natusch et al. 2016), pythons in Singapore appear to not be poached. As common as M. reticulatus is (Sworder 1923; Baker & Lim 2012), few specimens were collected early in history. Cantor (1847b) described one being shot from the poop deck of a ship and whose head was covered with mites, Jan (1863) examined one at MCNM, one was deposited at NHMUK ( Boulenger 1893), two at SMF ( Boettger 1898), and the Raffles Museum contained an unknown number of specimens ( Blanford 1881; Hanitsch 1912b). Most specimens currently deposited at LKCNHM are from more recent times. After Sworder (1924a) caught one on PU, M. reticulatus went unreported for 37 years until Harman’s (1961) record.

Occurrence. Widespread. Common.

Singapore conservation status. Least Concern.

Conservation priority. Lowest.

IUCN conservation status. Least Concern [2018].

LKCNHM & NHMUK Museum specimens. Singapore (no locality) : BMNH 1880.9 .10.4 (no date), ZRC.2.3131 (no date), ZRC.2.3129 (May-1894) , ZRC.2.3130 (1900), ZRC.2.3125– ZRC.2.3126 (1986); Botanic Gardens : ZRC. 2.3127 (7-Sep-1896); Bukit Kalang Service Road [ SRF] : ZRC.2.6104a & b (Nov-2004); Changi : ZRC.2.3132 (Feb-1928); Cluny Road : ZRC.2.6019 (12-Jan-2004); Hindhede Drive : ZRC.2.3134 (1975), ZRC. 2.3133 (09-Dec-1975); Kent Ridge [ NUS] : ZRC.2.2665 (Jan-1990) , ZRC.2.5423 (Apr-2002) , ZRC.2.6008 (30-Sep-2003); Lorong Chengcharu : ZRC. 2.2511 (26-Jun-1989); Nanyang Technological Institute [ NTU] : ZRC.2.6421 (09-Jul-1986); Old Upper Thomson Road : ZRC.2.6145 (16-Sep-2005); RAF Tengah [= Tengah Air Base] : BMNH 1983.961 (no date) ; Sime Road Forest : ZRC.2.6220 (15-Jul-2005); St. John’s Island : ZRC.2.7009 (20-May-2013); Taman Permata : ZRC. 2.3128 (27-Sep-1978); Venus Drive [ WNP] : ZRC.2.6088 (24-Sep-2004) .

Additional Singapore museum specimens. Singapore (no locality): AMNH, COLE, FMNH, MCZ, NMI, NMW, SAMA, UIMNH, UMZC, YPM, ZMH ; Mandai Road: BPBM; Zoological Gardens Area [= Singapore Zoo]: BPBM.

Singapore localities. Alexandra Woodlands—Ang Mo Kio —Balestier Hill—Bishan—Boon Lay—Bukit Batok—Bukit Merah—Bukit Timah Road—Bukit Timah Nature Reserve—Changi—Choa Chu Kang—Clementi Avenue 5—Clementi Forest—Cluny Road—Commonwealth—Dairy Farm Nature Park—Dakota Crescent—Eng Neo Ave—Eunos—Hindhede Drive—Holland Link—Hougang— Istana—Jurong Bird Park—Jurong Road—Jurong West—Kent Ridge Park—Kranji—Lim Chu Kang—Lornie Road—Lorong Chengcharu—Lorong Halus Wetland—Lower Peirce Forest—Lower Peirce Reservoir—Lower Peirce Reservoir Park—Mandai Road—Nanyang Technological University Jurong Campus—National University of Singapore Kent Ridge Campus—MacRitchie—MacRitchie North Forest—Malcolm Road—Mandai (not specified)—Mandai Road—Mandai Track 15—Nanyang Technological University—Nee Soon Swamp Forest—Normanton Park—Old Upper Thomson Road— Orchard Road—Pasir Panjang Hill—Pasir Ris Park—Paterson Road—Potong Pasir—Pulau Damar Laut—Pulau Semakau—Pulau Tekong—Pulau Ubin—Punggol Road—Rainforest Park North— Redhill—Robertson Quay—Saint John’s Island—Sengkang Park—Senoko—Sentosa—Serangoon Road—Siglap—Sime Road Forest—Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute Jurong—Singapore Botanic Gardens—Singapore Zoo—Sister’s Island—Stirling Road—Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve— Taman Permata—Tanah Merah—Tanah Merah Coast Road—Tanglin Road—Tengah Air Base— Thomson Nature Park—Ulu Pandan—Ulu Sembawang Forest—Upper Peirce Reservoir—Upper Peirce Reservoir Road—Upper Peirce West Forest—Upper Seletar (not specified)—Upper Seletar Reservoir Park—Windsor Nature Park.

Figures

FIGURE 25. A) Asthenodipsas laevis, B) Pareas margaritophorus, C) Malayopython reticulatus, D) Python brongersmai, E) Python brongersmai, F) Argyrophis muelleri, G) Indotyphlops braminus, and H) Ramphotyphlops lineatus. Photographs by: Evan S.H. Quah [A, E], Alex Figueroa [B–C, G], Kelvin K.P. Lim [D, H], and Nick Baker [F].