This time, I observed Reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus) on Bali and Flores Islands in Indonesia.
Members of the python family, including this species, can grow to very large sizes. Large individuals feed on big prey only once a month, or sometimes even less frequently, meaning they are active for very few days in the wild. For this reason, encountering them is generally considered extremely difficult.
In this trip, I was able to encounter them at two locations with a high probability. I would like to share how we achieved this.
Flores Island
Both observation sites were caves. One of them was an extremely harsh environment, located in a river, with water reaching waist height inside. The humidity was so high that cameras became unusable just five meters from the entrance, and the strong smell made it difficult for me to proceed further.
Within a 10-meter stretch, we observed six reticulated pythons. They seemed to primarily feed on bats, which were about 10 cm in length. Accordingly, the snakes were small, perfectly sized to feed on these bats.
It is unclear whether adult individuals leave the cave to live elsewhere, but for juveniles, this is undoubtedly an ideal feeding ground. Additionally, the flowing water on the cave floor provides necessary hydration, suggesting that encounters are quite likely. Locals mentioned that although they rarely visit the cave, whenever they do, snakes are always present, making it a very valuable observation spot.
Bali Island
The cave on Bali is much larger, with a wide entrance that lets in sunlight and allows for a clear view inside. The ceiling was covered with an enormous number of bats, far more than in the Flores cave. Despite the cave being so open, the odor of guano was overwhelming.
On a ledge near the ceiling, a large individual was resting. Reticulated pythons from Bali are known for having a slightly yellowish face and not growing as large as those from other regions. Patterns and sizes vary significantly between islands and regions, and personally, I find the Bali individuals among the most beautiful reticulated pythons.
This concludes the observation report of the reticulated python. Even though encountering the largest individuals in the world is extremely difficult, their round eyes and beautiful patterns are truly stunning. If you ever visit their natural habitats, I highly recommend trying to spot them.
