Reticulated
pythons reproduce via sexual reproduction. Both a female and male
individual are needed in order to undergo successful reproduction. Like
most snakes, reticulated pythons rely on smell in order to detect
potential mates. If a male has sensed that a female is ready to
reproduce, he will often brush against her which can stimulate and
increase her ability to copulate. The female lifts her tail when she is
ready to mate. A male then places his tail under hers so that his
reproductive structure (called a hemipenis) can inject sperm into her
cloaca. (an opening leading to her oviduct and eggs). Reticulated pythons lay eggs. The females usually lay their eggs during the months of April through October. The number of eggs in the clutch varies but is usually around 15- 20 eggs. (There have been instances of some females producing more than 100 eggs!). The female then wraps her body around the eggs to moderate the temperature. This is called 'brooding' and occurs in a variety of snake species. The eggs usually hatch in around eight to eleven weeks, and the young are around 70 centimeters in length. Python reticulatus can continue to grow to lengths greater than 30 feet, and live to an average age of 30 years.