Many people were shocked to hear about large numbers of pythons loose in the Everglades. I wasn’t one of them. In my opinion, hurricane Andrew was only one catalyst for the large serpents escaping into the wild. Having been an amateur herpetologist and reptile breeder for the better part of 30 years, I spent many a weekend at reptile shows. What I saw on many of those occasions was very disturbing. I saw reptile breeders that were more interested in chasing the all-mighty dollar than showing a moral obligation selling baby Burmese Pythons to children as young as 10 or 12 years old without their parents around to make the judgment call. This practice could only make the situation with exotic species loose in Florida worse. These kids just had no idea what to expect in about 2 to 4 years when their Burmese would reach an impressive size and weight. And with all of the Burmese flooding the market due to the relative ease of breeding this species, no one would want to take them off their hands, not even zoos that already had plenty of Burmese or decided the species was too common to attract interest. This would give the parents of these kids no option but to release the snakes or have to explain to their kids why their pet snake would need to be euthanized, which is something no parent would want to do to their kids. 

Even worse is the fact that now two additional species are being found in the Everglades, the Reticulated and African Rock pythons. These two species are far more dangerous than your average Burmese. I have kept all three species, and while I would never completely trust any python, the Burmese was by far the more predictable to the large species that I kept. But these other two species make the Burmese look as gentle as a kitten. The Reticulated Python is the longest snake on the planet reaching confirmed lengths approaching 30 feet and the African Rock python can easily get over 20 feet with a body girth similar to a large Burmese. Both of these snakes would have no problem making a meal out of a small child or even a small adult once they reach 7 meters in length. Not to mention the destruction they will dish out to the local indigenous wildlife. Even a large alligator would have trouble dispatching a 7 meter python and probably would  die trying. 

Even more disturbing are the estimates of the numbers of pythons loose in Florida, which appears to be growing exponentially each year. Considering a large python can lay as many as a hundred eggs, it would not take long for the numbers to climb. Some estimates that I have seen put as many as 100,000 of these snakes in the Everglades. While this may seem high, you have to remember that they will not have a natural predator hear. Our only hope was a long cold spell, but knowing how these snakes love the water and love to hide in burrows under ground, both of these environments offer protection from the cold and like I suspected, recent reports appear to have validated my suspicion since nearly the same number of pythons are being caught now as were before the cold spell. Once the pythons take hold and a large breeding population becomes established, there is almost nothing that we can do to reverse the situation. And I think it is already too late.

The Big Five 

 The five largest snakes on earth!! 

By Richard Carlson 

This article is based upon my 26 years experience working with Pythons and Boas. I hope that this article will be informative and will dispel some of the myths surrounding these incredible reptiles.  

Four of the five largest snakes on earth belong to the group known as Pythons. The Anaconda, another snake which is a member of “The Big Five”, belongs to the group known as Boas. There have been many myths about huge snakes, 50 to 100 feet in length, however those accounts of these huge serpents are pure fantasy. There has only been one snake ever found longer than 32 feet in length. 

Another myth, one which pertains to large snakes that have been known to eat humans, is actually partially true. There have been confirmed cases of snakes eating humans. Most people who try to dispute this fact claim that a human’s shoulders are too wide for a snake to swallow. Anyone who keeps constrictors, such as Pythons and Boas, in captivity knows that this is just not true. These snakes can extend their jaws to many times their normal width and can swallow animals several times their body size. The two snakes that have been confirmed to have eaten humans are the Reticulated Python and the African Rock Python. However, these instances are rare and involve exceptionally large specimens greater than 20 feet in length. There has never been a confirmed case of an Anaconda devouring a human.

The preceding paragraph is the basis of a theory that I have about the difference in Pythons attitudes based on species. Burmese Pythons are far less aggressive towards humans than most Reticulated and African Rock Pythons. It is my theory that Burmese Pythons see us as a predator and a possible threat to their survival. Once they are handled and realize that we pose no threat, they lose their aggressiveness towards humans. On the other hand, I believe that Retics and African Rocks see us in a different light. They see us as a potential food source. This is especially true as they grow larger. Because of this viewpoint, these two species can never be completely trusted to the degree that other species can.  In any event, you should never trust a Python or Boa to the degree that you would trust a dog or cat. Those individuals who place these large serpents around their necks are asking for trouble and could easily become a statistic. And those individuals who play with death and lose are providing ammunition to groups that wish to prevent those of us who are conscientious keepers from keeping these beautiful creatures. This is true of many other exotic animals as well, not just reptiles. Every time someone is hurt or killed by an exotic species that they were keeping or someone else was keeping, due to irresponsibility, neglect or even an honest mistake, it is big news. When this happens, the Government is pressured into enacting laws that prevent us from keeping these animals.

Due to the strength of these snakes, only the most experienced reptile keepers and herpetologists should keep them. An 8-foot python is capable of killing a man. All it takes is one coil around the neck and the game is over. For this reason, I have a general rule of thumb which I use when handling Pythons. When handling a Python, you need one person for every 4 feet of snake. Most accidents that occur when handling Pythons are a result of not following this general rule. 

If you are going to keep Pythons or Boas, please follow these general rules; 

1. Act responsibly.
2. Ensure that they are housed in a cage that is designed specifically for these reptiles.
3. Follow the general rule above when handling them (1 person per 4 feet of snake).
4. Keep them well fed. Pythons are less aggressive if they are fed properly.
5. Keep their cages locked when unattended.
6. Keep others, especially children, away from these snakes unless supervised. Too many people claim to be experts and really are not experienced at handling these reptiles.

The following is a summary of the five largest snakes based on confirmed lengths. A confirmed length requires one of the following; 

1. Live captured snake.
2. Dead snake measured immediately after death with witnesses present, and video or pictures showing the actual measurement.
3. Video or picture of a live snake stretched out next to an object of known length with witnesses present.

Confirmations not accepted; 

1. Snake skin. Snake skins can be stretched to twice their original length.
2. Dead snake measured without witnesses confirming that it was measured immediately after death. A dead snake can grow in length as it decomposes and its dead carcass can be stretched beyond its length in life.
3. Video or pictures without the presence of witnesses. Video and photographs can be easily hoaxed.
4. Snake measured in the wild with witnesses present without video or pictures. There are too many individuals who are more preoccupied with perpetuating a myth than they are with passing along facts.
5. Estimation of length based on a sighting. Most individuals, even experienced herpetologists, have trouble accurately estimating the length of a snake in the wild. 

The Five Largest Snakes 

Number 1) The largest snake on earth, in respect to length, is the Reticulated Python, Python reticulatus, specifically the Yellow-head Reticulated Python found in the Philippines and in a region of Indonesia called Sulawesi. The longest confirmed specimen was 32 feet 9-1/2 inches. The longest captive specimen was Colossus, which was kept at the Philadelphia Zoo. At the time of its death, Colossus measured 29 feet 6 inches. Colossus died of tuberculosis which she contracted from her keeper. The Reticulated Python is one of two snakes which have been confirmed to have eaten humans. 

Number 2) The second largest snake is the Indian Python, Python molurus. There are 3 distinct subspecies of the Indian Python, these are the Indian Python, Python molurus molurus, the Burmese Python, Python molurus bivittatus and the Ceylon Python, Python molurus pimbura. The largest confirmed specimen of this species measured 26 feet in length.

Number 3) The third largest is the African Rock Python, Python sebae sebae. The largest confirmed specimen measured 25 feet. There is another subspecies called the Lesser Rock Python, Python sebae natalensis, but this subspecies is smaller. The African Rock Python, along with the Reticulated Python, has been known to have eaten humans. 

Number 4) The fourth largest snake is the Green Anaconda, Eunectes murinus murinus. The Anaconda is not a member of the Pythons, but rather is a member of the group known as Boas. However, it deserves honorable mention in this article since it is the fourth largest snake on earth. In an article that considers weight as the definition of the largest snake on earth, then the Anaconda would be on top. Regardless of all of the stories of huge Anacondas that have been told over the years, the largest confirmed specimen measured 21 feet in length. The average size of a large adult is 15 feet. Anything else that you have read or heard is pure fiction. An article in a well-known reptile magazine showed a photo of an Anaconda in the back of a flat-bed truck that presumably measured 25 to 30 feet. However, by comparing the size of the snake to the man standing next to it and the size of the flat-bed truck, I determined that the actual length of the snake was 18 feet, give or take a few inches. This was determined using mathematical computation by comparing objects in the photo with the snake, then comparing those findings with the actual sizes of those same types of objects in the real world. This is called science. I hate it when individuals perpetuate a myth in order to profit from the myth or to pass fiction as fact. If there were 50 or 100 foot Anacondas living in South America in the past or today, there would have been a specimen killed or captured by now. There would also be evidence of these huge serpents in the fossil record. But there isn’t. The largest serpent related to Pythons known to have existed was Gigantophis. The largest fossil found of this species measured 37 feet in length. Recently scientists in South America discovered the fossil remains of what they believe to be the longest serpent to have ever lived. The fossil was incomplete, but they estimated the length to be 42 feet based on comparing the size of the ribs to the size of ribs from the largest available Anaconda specimen which was 19.5 feet long. They named the serpent Titanoboa cerrejonensis.

Number 5) The fifth largest snake on earth is the Amethystine Python, also called the Scrub Python, Morelia amethystina. The largest specimen on record measured just under 21 feet in length. This is the largest snake found on the Australian continent. 

 Chameleon Facts

Chameleons are among the world’s most fascinating creatures. They are found in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. One notable exception is the Americas (the Jackson’s Chameleon is found in Hawaii, but is not an indigenous species. Many of these reptiles were accidentally introduced to Hawaii and have established a large colony since Hawaii’s climate is similar to the region of Africa where they live.) Many of the adaptations that these reptiles possess are seen in no other animal on earth.

They have the ability to change color, not only to match their surroundings, but also based on their mood. Some people have referred to them as a living “mood ring”. As an example, one of my male Red-Phase Panther Chameleons changes to a bright red/orange color when he is defending his territory or sleeping, black when he dislikes something in his environment and dull to moderate red & green colors when everything is normal. By understanding his color moods, I can understand what is happening within his environment. There is a lizard found in the southeastern United States, which also has a limited ability to change colors. It has wrongly been given the name “Chameleon”, but is no relation to true chameleons. It is the Anole, a member of the family Polychrotidae, which was formed by the subdivision of the family Iguanidae in 1989. This lizard can only change colors based on its surroundings as a defense mechanism. It lacks the ability to change colors based on its mood or intent.

1. The chameleon’s eyes function independently. They have the ability to see two objects at once. Each eye is equipped with two lenses, giving the chameleon the ability to judge distance with only one eye, an adaptation that is seen in no other animal in the Animal Kingdom.
2. Chameleons catch their prey with a sticky, club-like appendage on the end of their tongue. A chameleon’s tongue is nearly as long as the length of their body and tail combined. Just to give you an example, the tongue in a 36″ Oustalet’s Chameleon is approximately 36″ in length. A Chameleons prey can consist of anything from small insects, such as fruit flies and crickets, to rodents and small birds. The Meller’s Chameleon has been nicknamed “The Bird-Eating Chameleon” due to its ability to catch and eat small birds.
3. The chameleon’s toes have been fused together into two opposing sets in order for it to firmly grip branches and leaves. This adaptation is especially useful since, with few exceptions, they lead a mostly arboreal life.
4. Chameleons have a prehensile tail, which they can use as a fifth hand.
5. Chameleons can lay eggs as much as three times per year. The incubation period of the eggs depends on the species, but the average period is 6 to 12 months. A female can store enough sperm from a single mating to fertilize an entire year’s supply of eggs. There are both egg-laying and live-bearing species of chameleons.
6. Chameleons are highly territorial. They will attack any other chameleon in their territory. The only exception is when a gravid female enters a male’s territory.

 Chameleon Care

Chameleons have very special requirements for survival, whether in the wild or in captivity. Too many individuals acquire chameleons as pets or for research, but do not understand their special needs. If you are planning to acquire a chameleon, either as a pet or for a breeding or research program, you should be aware of the following requirements;

1. First of all, never purchase a wild-caught specimen. There are many breeders, like myself, with years of experience, who can provide you with a top quality chameleon that is free of parasites and is well adjusted to human contact. Due to their territorial nature, chameleons are highly susceptible to stress. Human contact is very stressful to a chameleon since they view us as a predator. Many wild-caught individuals die of stress or parasites prior to sale. Many species of chameleons are also rapidly disappearing in the wild, so to do your part in Chameleon Conservation, purchase only captive-born individuals.
2. Ensure that the chameleon is in good health. It takes someone with many years of experience in chameleon care to bring one back to a healthy state, and even then there is no guarantee. Do not feel sorry for the runt of the litter. Starting with a healthy specimen gives you a much better chance of keeping him/her in good condition. Make sure its eyes are not sunk in and its skin appears elastic, not dried out. These are signs of dehydration, which is one of the main killers of chameleons in captivity, second only to stress. Make sure the chameleon you purchase is active. If it is always sleeping, this could be a sign of stress.
3. Your chameleon’s cage should be fairly spacious and well ventilated. The cage should have screen on all four sides and the roof. Avoid glass enclosures. If you can see your reflection in the wall of the cage, the chameleon can see his/hers as well. Chameleons are very territorial and will see its reflection as an intruder that does not back down. This is very stressful to a chameleon and could lead to its demise.
4. You should provide living plants if possible. Chameleons do not drink from a water dish like many other reptiles do. They lick water droplets from leaves and branches. Live plants will provide a way for the chameleon to drink, as well as furnish fresh oxygen. DO NOT place a water dish in the chameleon’s cage. They will not drink from it and stagnant water provides a means for bacteria to grow, which could make your chameleon ill.
5. Chameleons are insatiable drinkers. They should be misted a minimum of 3 times per day. If this is not possible, you can place a water drip system in their cage. Even with a drip system, you should mist them twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. This will provide them with plenty of drinking water and keep the humidity up to acceptable levels. Most chameleons come from regions of high humidity. The Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), pictured above, is one of the exceptions. It comes from a relatively more arid region of Saudi Arabia, so its humidity requirements are less than other chameleon species. However, they still require plenty of available drinking water.
6. Food should be provided daily. The main staple for captive chameleons is crickets. However, you should try to rotate as many other insects into their diet as possible. Other excellent food sources are Superworms, fruit flies, cockroaches, flies, and wax worms. Avoid mealworms. They have a very hard external shell, which is difficult to digest. Although rare, there have been cases where undigested mealworms have eaten their way out of the stomach of the chameleon. Also, chameleons have been known to get bored with eating if they are fed the same type of insect every day. So it is good to vary their diet as much as possible.
7. Chameleons, as most reptiles, require a calcium/potassium ratio of 2.5/1, as well as vitamin D3. Insects are high in potassium. You can provide your chameleon with the proper amount of calcium/vitamin D3 using two methods, you can provide them with full spectrum sunlight, either by placing them outside to allow them to bask in the sun or by using an artificial full-spectrum light source. You can also dust their food a couple of times per week with a vitamin/calcium powder. Or you can use a combination of both.

 Conservation

Conservation is a very controversial subject. It seems that no two people are alike in their beliefs as to what measures should be taken in preserving any animal or plant species. Chameleon conservation is no exception. The following information reflects my own personal beliefs in conservation based on my experience and travels. I recommend that you read this article, compare it to the work of others and formulate your own opinion. There are no true experts in this field. If there were, then there wouldn’t be any more threatened or endangered animal species, and certainly there would not be another animal extinction. Yet, every year, many species of animals are becoming extinct in spite of the efforts of Conservation Agencies and Officials.

It is my belief that conservation is not just attempting to preserve these animals in their natural habitat. Conservation must take the following forms in order to preserve these creatures for posterity;

1. Field study. We must not only learn everything we can about the habits of these creatures in their natural habitat, but we must also learn about their environment in order to understand what is necessary for their survival.
2. Teaching conservation techniques to the local population where these creatures are found. This involves not only how, but why we should do everything we can to preserve these animals.
3. Captive breeding programs. Even though field study is important, captive breeding programs are necessary to expedite our understanding of these creatures so that we can help them before it is too late. By reproducing their natural environment in a captive situation, we can learn more about them in one year, than we can in many years of field study. This is especially true of chameleons since they are very difficult to locate, not to mention study, in the wild. Captive breeding programs are our last hope for their survival in many cases, as well. If we have a strong captive population, there is still hope even if all of the wild populations are gone. Maybe if we had strong captive populations of the Dusky Seaside Sparrow or Dodo, they would still exist today.

 Captive breeding programs create the biggest controversy when it comes to conservation. There are many who believe that by keeping these animals in captivity we are adding to the problem. I disagree, however. It is my opinion that captive breeding programs add to our knowledge of these species which aid in the development of conservation programs in the field. Also, it is human nature for people to want to own these animals as pets. As long as there is a market for these animals, there will be those who will do anything to fill this need at a substantial profit. Captive breeding programs assist in lowering the pressure on wild populations by providing good quality animals to those who are in the market for them.

 Habitat Loss

In order to meet the demand for housing in a world where the population is growing by leaps and bounds daily, the forests of the world are dwindling. It is next to impossible to stop the devastation in poor third world countries where wood is their main source of income. This increases the challenge to protect these species. This is particularly devastating to species of animals that have trouble adapting to new environments, such as the chameleons. As mankind increases in population, the difficulty in protecting animal and plant species will increase as well. Field Conservation only works when the Government of the species homeland agrees to enact and enforce measures to protect these species. However, it has been my experience that these Governments only agree when it does not adversely affect their economy. There are countries that will not allow certain species to be removed as live specimens for research or breeding programs, but permit thousands of skins to leave the country to provide the wealthy with clothing and accessories that could be duplicated with man-made materials. It is a matter of economics. These skins bring in thousands, or perhaps millions of dollars into their economy, where live animals only bring in a fraction of that amount. Python and Monitor skins are just one example.

 Chameleon Species and Traits

Oustalet’s Giant Chameleon

(Chamaeleo oustaleti)

 The Oustalet’s Chameleon is one of the largest chameleons in the world, reaching a total length of close to 36 inches. The largest chameleon on record was an Oustalet’s Chameleon that measured 39 inches. For this reason, it has been given the nickname, the Yard-Long Chameleon. In most species of chameleons, the male is the more colorful sex. However, the Oustalet’s Chameleon is one of the exceptions to the rule. The female is more colorful, but lacks the impressive size of the male. They also have a very strong grasp. Due to its long nails, the grasp of this species is considered somewhat painful. Though this species adapts well to captivity, they can be very aggressive. They have powerful jaws and can inflict a painful bite. All things considered, this is one of my favorite species of chameleons. Their impressive size, ability to adapt to new environments and their aggressive feeding behavior make them an excellent candidate for both intermediate and advanced chameleon keepers. I have successfully bred the Oustalet’s Chameleon. The incubation period for this species is 8 to 12 months. The hatchlings are slightly larger than Panther or Veiled Chameleons and can eat fly-size crickets for their first meal.

The Oustalet’s Chameleon is found throughout Madagascar. According to Loveridge (1957), this giant chameleon has been introduced into the Ngong Forest in the vicinity of Nairobi, Kenya (East Africa), as well. Its diet includes insects, small birds and mammals, and other, smaller species, of chameleons. There have been cases of large male Oustalet’s Chameleons making a meal out of young adult Panther Chameleons in areas where the range of these two species overlap.

 Meller’s Giant Chameleon

(Chamaeleo melleri)

 Another exceptionally large species of chameleon is the Meller’s Chameleon. It has been given the nickname “the Bird-Eating Chameleon” due to its habit of eating small birds and mammals. It is also known as the “Elephant-Ear Chameleon” due to its two large occipital lobes. The Meller’s Chameleon has been known to reach a total length of two feet with a body of more than a foot in length. Its head is the largest of the chameleons, reaching a length of more than 3 inches. They have extremely large and powerful feet and legs. The Meller’s Chameleon is among the hardest to keep. They are very sensitive to stress, and have been known to drop dead for no apparent reason. This condition is known as “spontaneous death syndrome”. For this reason, Meller’s Chameleons require an environment that is infrequently disturbed by people. I currently have a large outside environment, which houses a breeding colony of this incredible species. Through selective captive breeding, I hope to produce a Meller’s Chameleon, which is less sensitive to stress and human contact.

This species is found throughout the Savannah forests of Tanzania, northern Mozambique and Malawi (Nyassaland). This is an extremely arboreal species, living high up in the tree canopy. This is one of the longest living chameleons. They can reach a maximum age of 15 years in captivity. Due to this chameleons high sensitivity to stress, only very advanced chameleon keepers should attempt to keep this species in captivity. That may change as more and more captive-born individuals are produced.

Warted Chameleon

(Chamaeleo verrucosus)

 The Warted Chameleon is another species from Madagascar. The range of this species is similar to the range of the Oustalet’s Chameleon. Due to the similarity in the crowns of both of these species, the adult Warted Chameleon is sometimes mistaken for a juvenile Oustalet’s Chameleon. However, this species does not nearly reach the exceptional size of its close relative. Both the male and female of this species are exceptionally colorful. Wild-caught Warted Chameleons are less adaptable to captivity than the Oustalet’s Chameleon. The incubation period for this species is probably less than the previous two species mentioned. It is probably around 6 months.

Four-Horned Chameleon

(Chamaeleo quadricornis)

  The Four-horned Chameleon is a deep forest species from Tanzania. This species acquired its name from the four horns that protrude from the head of the males. This can be deceiving however, since males of this species can have as many as four to eight horns. The females do not have horns. They have exceptionally large eyes. There primary defense against predators involves clinging to the opposite side of a branch and carefully positioning their eyes on either side of the branch to watch the predator. In this way, they can watch the predator without being seen. Another interesting trait of this species is their amazing ability to jump. This species can jump farther than any other species of chameleon. I have seen individuals jump as far as four feet to get from one tree to another. They can also jump to the ground from exceptional heights by rolling themselves into a ball until they hit the ground. In this way, they protect their limbs. This is another nervous species, but they are much less aggressive than most species. This is another favorite species of mine, mainly due to their dragon-like appearance. Chamaeleo quadricornis rarely acquires a length greater than 8 to 10 inches. A cooler temperature must be maintained in their environment than with species from Madagascar. The ideal temperature is 73 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. They can handle cooler temperatures if necessary. This species is primarily found in Cameroon.

 Panther Chameleon

(Chamaeleo pardalis)

  The Panther Chameleon is probably one of the best known chameleons since there are many breeders of this species. They are, by far, the hardiest species to keep. This is the species that a first time chameleon keeper should purchase. This species is not as prone to dehydration as other species and they acclimate to new surroundings easily. The Panther Chameleon is a medium-sized species. Males reach a maximum length of 20 inches. Females are less than half the size of males. Even though there is a lot of controversy surrounding the different color phases of this species, I disagree with the concept of distinguishing this species by color. This species should be distinguished by the region of Madagascar from where it originated. In my opinion, the most beautiful variety of this species comes from Ambanja. There are also distinct variations that come from Diego Suarez, Nose Be and Sambava, as well as a few lesser know varieties. The Panther Chameleon is easily recognized by their well-pronounced rostral appendage. There is also a controversy surrounding the Panther Chameleon’s scientific name. Many herpetologists have placed them in a new genus named “Furcifer”. However, I still consider them a member of the genus “Chamaeleo”. The Panther Chameleon, regardless of the variety, is one of the most beautiful chameleons in the world. Depending on the variation, they can be primarily blue, indigo, violet, green or red, or combinations of these colors. A true Red Phase Panther Chameleon is a very striking animal, with bars of red and orange running the entire length of its body. The Ambanja Blue Phase has bars containing multiple shades of blue and green. The females of all color phases have a very drab coloration compared to the males. Panthers are highly aggressive towards each other due to their territorial nature and should always be housed separately. The only exception is during mating, but, even then, you should carefully watch the pair’s reaction when introducing the female to the male’s environment. If either chameleon shows any sign of aggression, you should immediately separate them. Then you can make another attempt in a couple of weeks.

In conclusion, chameleons are one of nature’s most beautiful and unusual creations. Their strange adaptations have caused some people to speculate that they came from another world. Regardless of their origin, they deserve our respect and assistance in preserving their natural habitat. It would be a great loss to permit even one species of chameleon to fall the victim of extinction.

Welcome to our blog dedicated to our experience with both exotic and domestic species of wildlife.