Editing Reticulated python (section)

=== Reported sizes ===
{|class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed"
|-
! Date !! Location !! Reported length !! Reported weight !! Reported girth !! Scientifically analyzed length !! Comments
|-
|October, 1859
|[[Bayan Lepas]], [[Penang Island]], [[Malaysia]]
|{{cvt|853.4|cm}}
|Not listed
|{{cvt|81.28|cm}}
|Not listed
|Discovered eating a pig on the road to [[Teluk Kumbar]] and killed<ref name="Guinness Book of World Records Animal Facts and Feats"/>
|-
|-
|1912
|[[Sulawesi Island]], [[Indonesia]]
|{{cvt|998.2|cm}}
|Not listed
|{{cvt|30.48|cm}}
|Not listed
|Reported to have been shot near a mining camp. Account given by explorer [[Henry C Raven]]. One photo was taken, but the body was not preserved.<ref name="Guinness Book of World Records Animal Facts and Feats">{{cite book |last=Wood |first=G. L. |title=Guinness Book of World Records Animal Facts and Feats |publisher=Sterling Pub Co., Inc |year=1982 |isbn=978-0851122359}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/dec/30/indonesia.johnaglionby |title=Captured python said to be world's biggest snake |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2003 |last1=Aglionby |first1=J.}}</ref>
|-
|-
|1931–1948
|[[Evansville, Indiana]], United States
|{{cvt|1023.62|cm}}
|{{cvt|303.907|kg}}
|Not listed
|Not listed
|Kept at [[Mesker Zoo]] between 1931 and 1948. Exceptional weight claim believed to be in error.<ref name="Tales of Giant Snakes: A Historical Natural History of Anacondas and Pythons">{{cite book |last1=Murphy |first1=John C. |last2=Henderson |first2=Robert W. |title=Tales of Giant Snakes: A Historical Natural History of Anacondas and Pythons |publisher=Krieger Pub Co. |year=1997 |isbn=0894649957}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2011 
|[[Kansas City, Missouri]], United States
|{{convert|767|cm|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|158.8|kg}}
|
|
|Named "Medusa"; considered by the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' to be the longest (verified) living snake ever kept in captivity<ref name=MedusaGBWR/>
|}

The colour pattern is a complex geometric [[patterns in nature|pattern]] that incorporates different colours. The back typically has a series of irregular diamond shapes flanked by smaller markings with light centers. In this species' wide geographic range, much variation of size, colour, and markings commonly occurs.

In zoo exhibits, the colour pattern may seem garish, but in a shadowy jungle environment amid fallen leaves and debris, it allows them to virtually disappear. Called [[disruptive colouration]], it protects them from predators and helps them to catch their prey.<ref name="Meh87">{{cite book |author=Mehrtens J.M. |year=1987 |title=Living Snakes of the World in Color |place=New York |publisher=Sterling Publishers |isbn=0-8069-6460-X}}</ref>

The huge size and attractive pattern of this snake has made it a favorite zoo exhibit, with several individuals claimed to be above {{convert|20|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} in length and more than one claimed to be the largest in captivity.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/columbus-zoo-pays-to-keep-largest-snake-in-captivity-on-permanent-display | work=Fox News | title=Columbus Zoo Pays to Keep Largest Snake in Captivity on Permanent Display | date=14 January 2008}}</ref> However, due to its huge size, immense strength, aggressive disposition, and the mobility of the skin relative to the body, it is very difficult to get exact length measurements of a living reticulated python, and weights are rarely indicative, as captive pythons are often obese.<ref name="Mur97"/> Claims made by zoos and animal parks are sometimes exaggerated, such as the claimed {{convert|14.85|m|ftin|abbr=on}} snake in [[Indonesia]] which was subsequently proven to be about {{convert|6.5|-|7|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long.<ref name="reuters">Aglionby, John (2004-01-05) [https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/jan/05/animalwelfare.indonesia "Stay still, will you?"]. ''Guardian''. Retrieved on 2012-08-21.</ref> For this reason, scientists do not accept the validity of length measurements unless performed on a dead or anesthetized snake that is later preserved in a museum collection or stored for scientific research.<ref name="Mur97"/>

A reticulated python kept in the [[United States]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], named "Medusa" is considered by the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' to be the longest living snake ever kept in captivity. In 2011 it was reported to measure {{convert|7.67|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and weigh {{convert|158.8|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}.<ref name=MedusaGBWR>{{cite web |title=Longest snake – ever (captivity) |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-snake-ever-(captivity) |website=Guinness Book of World Records |date=2011 |access-date=2016-02-04}}</ref>

In 2012, an albino reticulated python, named "Twinkie", housed in [[Fountain Valley, California]], was considered to be the largest [[albino]] snake in captivity by the [[Guinness World Records]]. It measured {{Cvt|7|m|ftin}} in length and weighed about {{Cvt|168|kg|lb}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Largest albino snake in captivity |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/106228-largest-albino-snake-in-captivity |website=Guinness World Records |date=7 December 2012}}</ref>

Dwarf forms of reticulated pythons also occur, from some islands northwest of Australia, and these are being selectively bred in captivity to be much smaller, resulting in animals often referred to as "super dwarfs". Adult super dwarf reticulated pythons are typically between {{convert|1.82|and|2.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in length.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Snakes/Reticulated-Python/|title=Reticulated Python Care Sheet|website=www.reptilesmagazine.com|date=25 September 2012|access-date=2018-07-07}}</ref>