DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) — On World Snake Day, Loveland Living Aquarium announced the arrival of their longest animal to date.
Sula is a reticulated python, measuring at an incredible 19 feet 7 inches long. That makes her one of the largest snakes at any zoo or aquarium in the United States. The aquarium said that her name is inspired by the Indonesian island Sulawesi, which is within the species’ native range.
You can see her at Ford Expedition Asia, alongside other reptiles like the prehensile-tailed skink, the black tree monitor, and the Komodo dragon.
Reticulated pythons are the longest snake species in the world. They are constrictors, meaning that they catch their prey by wrapping around them and squeezing them, rather than using venom. They’re also great swimmers, and they’re highly intelligent.
Reticulated pythons have a wide range and stable population, so they are listed as “least concern” for conservation. However, they still face habitat loss, hunting for skin and meat, and the exotic pet trade.
The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is a nonprofit organization that is home to almost 5,000 animals across more than 600 species. It is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility.