Pythons 101 | National Geographic

From unbelievably flexible jaws to rows of razor sharp teeth, a range of impressive features make the python one of nature's most formidable predators.Learn about ball, burmese, reticulated, and other types of pythons, what the snakes eat, where they live, and how a surprising feature might be a sign of legged ancestors.
➡ Subscribe: bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribe
About National Geographic:
National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible.
Get More National Geographic:
Official Site: bit.ly/NatGeoOfficialSite
Facebook: bit.ly/FBNatGeo
Twitter: bit.ly/NatGeoTwitter
Instagram: bit.ly/NatGeoInsta
Read more in "Burmese Python"
on.natgeo.com/2FKBvDd
Pythons 101 | National Geographic
• Pythons 101 | National...
National Geographic
/ natgeo

[@NatGeo]

While pythons can typically grow up to be 200 pounds, a 403-pound Burmese python named Baby currently holds the record for the heaviest snake in captivity. What's your favorite python fact from this video?

[@Do_Odles]

Nice video, although a little disappointed there was no mention of heat pits, Jacobson's organ, no mention of the fact they are an old-world species and are viviparous etc

[@giuseppemineo7084]

Pythons are oviparous, while most Boas are ovoviviparous

[@marjorienain]

National Geographic😨

[@marjorienain]

National Geographic

[@peacemakerwolf8972]

I love that you included the fact that they have "legs"! No ever believes me when I tell them that snakes have legs lol ✌🐺 Sure wouldn't like getting bitten by one...ouchies!!!🐍

[@21whichiswhich]

Snakes are one of the most underrated and misjudged animals on the planet. But actually they are amazing they can crawl without limbs, swim without fins and fly without wings, if only we could respect them.

[@somegirl558]

Yeah, but they kill mice, rodents, cats, dogs and people.....

[@felixnachtigal8588]

Just noodles with faces, which I bet makes the world a scary place

[@TheAlchemist25]

@@somegirl558 Humans kill all of those apart from dogs.....

[@leascreativeworld-animatio7458]

@@somegirl558 I heard somewhere that they don't eat people

[@-trinity-3732]

@@somegirl558 well they have to but some snakes don’t bite

[@kohsuzuki1438]

Thank you nat geo for not painting pythons in a bad or scary light. they truly are docile and interesting creatures.

[@carriegardner5359]

Except for eating children.

[@ahmetkerem4769]

@@carriegardner5359 do not be ridiculous.

[@MostlyReptilesMostly]

Thank you so much for not painting pythons in a bad or evil light. This helps a lot for people who don't understand snakes.

[@alexcrowder1673]

I agree, I just wish they would proof check their "facts" 1st. It doesnt seem like they consult with herpetologists before posting. It seems like whoever makes these just uses wikipedia for all their info. They say silly things like "a typical burm weighs 200lbs" even though thats about twice what an average adult weighs. They said 403lbs was the record for largest living snake, long after said snake had died, despite a new record being set at 450lbs by Medusa who is STILL ALIVE. They just didnt do very good research in the topic, and they never seem too. Ive seen them do entire documentaries about a species, only to show the wrong species for the ENTIRE VIDEO lol. Their Python Sebae video for example does not portray even 1 single example of Python Sebae. The whole video is of Python Natalensis, because Nat Geo literally cant even tell them apart. They still havent corrected it or even noticed. They are somewhat of an embaressment to the reptile community if im being honest. They spread a lot of misinformation.

[@21whichiswhich]

I once hold a few ball pythons on an exotic animal expo. They are so docile and not slimy at all. I don't know but it feels so calming holding them and them crawling in my arms.

[@carriegardner5359]

I call my ball python my masseuse. When he was a baby, he would wind around my hands and loosen up my hands. And yes, they are very calming. I've heard of people bringing them to nursing homes for that very reason.

[@dmer7635]

You should get one.

[@carlivasquez6840]

Fun fact: the reason why I got my ball python is because I saw a video on Facebook about a lady putting her python on her neck and it would contract kind of like a massage and she said it helps calm her down

[@smithswoodrookie]

Terror as they show footage of a ball python lol

[@ahmetkerem4769]

Cute noodles, right?

[@junglepythonpearl9069]

Pythons are really cute and sssssssssnuggly. I love them. In fact, I have a pet Ball Python and he's really adorable.

[@judasiscariot8396]

I can't understand how that animal is adorable

[@fungillooo]

Yeah! How are evolved from cavemen who used to fear these beasts to keeping them as pets? lol

[@bruh-fn5dh]

Snakes aren't meant to be domisticated dumb woman. Do not disobey evolution and its nature

[@barefootprofessor3455]

Iam gonna get one... amazing creatures

[@Skulltaro]

bruh yet people keep them as pets without issue. Sounds like someone is just prejudiced against snakes. Maybe a phobia?

[@lovelysneks7559]

Snake in general are so cute and curious

[@justaperson4854]

Sneks are the cutest annimals. Ned more snek. Lessssss hoooomuns.

[@4TLOL]

Snakes are ugly.

[@tvdeskis6521]

@@4TLOL i'm pretty sure you're way nastier...

[@memonavaramirez6261]

It could seem to you like that. I bet you have never encountered one of those poisonous at your feet making noise and ready to attack you

[@marktrigg467]

@@4TLOL troll

[@nanamarley9601]

I like how the narration says "no other creatures inspire so much terror" and right on the word "terror" it shows a ball python lol yea ofc so much terror, I'm so scared :'D

[@carriegardner5359]

IKR? And this was after seeing a webpage that had the title "Super Snake Slithering All Over Florida." Instead of a Burmese python, it was a ball python.

[@durpddurke4633]

But ball pythons are cute........ and woma pythons, and green tree pythons, and even burmese pythons.....

[@ahmetkerem4769]

They are all just awesome!

[@Quacktum]

I agree I want a ball python and Burmese python but I don’t think I could take care of a Burmese python!

[@unstoppableExodia]

I’ve always wanted a green tree python ever since I was a kid

[@kitcxt]

Ahhh thank you

[@unstoppableExodia]

@@paulfeasal6024 yeah I’ve consistently heard green tree pythons are a lot more bitey and less beginner friendly than other pythons. And the expensive factor doesn’t surprise me either given how pretty they naturally are and how that would make them particularly sought after. Even in Australia where they’re native I can imagine they’d be very expensive to buy.

[@elizabethsalarde2234]

I'm getting a ball python soon. I love snakes, such incredible creatures.

[@john-paulhiggerson144]

Go for it ! I have two ball pythons and four boas. Amazing creatures.

[@RangaNanayakkara]

leave them alone

[@flameboy3741]

LMAO

[@yallgotcheez6285]

Serpent Athena I'm getting a reticulated python it's my fav snake

[@Ricardowieringa]

CJ Dillon these species of snakes have been bred and kept for at least 30 years and snakes realy don’t care they realy only want warmtha and Food

[@nameunavailable07]

No adult should experience "terror" from a python, lol

[@715koolgirl]

nameunavailable07 Exactly my thought.

[@gorillatakeshi3132]

You right mate

[@memonavaramirez6261]

Pythons are meant to kill. They dont know about petting, or socializing, it's a killing machine. They dont know about terror, but ido and when I see something trying to kill me it's a natural reaction.

[@ahmetkerem4769]

@@memonavaramirez6261 , seriously? I hope this is a joke.

[@SwanTeeth]

@@memonavaramirez6261 can you really say a cat wouldn't kill you if it were 7x the size?

[@elissacousland44]

Narrator: no species inspires as much fear Me: a scaled baby puppy! ❤

[@AzlianaLyana]

Those are some really cool jaws. Not to mention those 'one-way street' teeth. Thanks National Geographic for sharing. Very informative.

[@andreadesepeda6792]

I personally think pythons are adorable.

[@davidbrown7072]

I have several snakes and I love all of them! Pythons are my favorite. There so gentle!

[@bharat-dz9wi]

I too love pythons they run my servers and applications very well

[@Ngamotu83]

I think they're beautiful. They aren't scary at all, as far as I'm concerned.

[@Hot_guy267]

One imp aspect is missed altogether here. And that is python's IR sensing pits. Some pythons can produce thermal imagery of the warm blooded prey that helps them to hunt in complete darkness.

[@inhimm]

thanks for the narrative video

[@IamCec]

I love pythons…balls, retics, burms, they’re all so cute to me. Best snek faces and they’re so sociable.

[@alexcrowder1673]

Same here. I keep all of those species and more as pets. I love them all! If you want a sociable snake, check out african rock pythons. Myself and a few other people ive talked to who keep burms, retics, and afrocks, all seem to think afrocks are the smartest and most interactive of the 3. Thats saying a lot too, because retics are dang smart!

[@DarthInsomnis]

I have two pet pythons and I find it quite interesting to care for and study them

[@Standi]

Why do you guys not mention anything like how most pythons are definitely not 17 feet on average or that the most commonly kept one is just 3-4 feet (ball pythons). Also all the footage except maybe 1 clip (ball python eating a mouse) was of pythons eating things at least the size of a medium/large rabbit. Cmon Nat Geo, as awesomely informative as this was about python physiology, it didn't do much to dispel a lot of the misnomers regarding python size, lack of predation on humans, or other common misconceptions that cause the fear of them so many people have.

[@Lenlon703]

Standi ^^^

[@TherapyisntenoughIneedtobite]

Standi ^^^^^^^^^^

[@Oridginale24]

Pythons are the friendliest reptile. They love hugging.

[@Iris_n_Parti]

I remember back when I was in middle school, one of my teachers had a pet Python that was trained to become friendly to people

[@hochathanfire0001]

The constriction sure gives me chills. Incredible!!!!

[@killercaos123]

Ya see Nat Geo? This is the stuff most people enjoy and expect from you guys. The viewing and paying audience appreciate it. Not "race is a social construct".

[@somethingclever6487]

killercaos123 there's only one race.

[@killercaos123]

Something Clever There's only 2 genders.

[@somethingclever6487]

killercaos123 fair enough. And absolutely. Cant make a cat, a dog. If you catch my drift.

[@somethingclever6487]

killercaos123 you must have deleted your first comment? That was what my 'fair enough' was about by the way

[@killercaos123]

Something Clever I still see my "2 genders" comment........ And while u can not make a dog a cat; scientifically you can clone animals, transfer 1 brain into a separate head and have it still live for a period of time, and u can make goats produce spider silk. I care more for science than I do people.

[@salehali1962]

i am fascinated by snakes but they have never owned my heart!!! no way!!!!

[@eightbitfeline1415]

4:11 awe? more like aww

[@natalija3631]

Now thats a hugger and a half lol

[@hollowman6274]

I fkn love animals

[@aimeelaybourne9753]

Cool snakes

[@shubhangimandal1840]

Right 😍

[@politespoon9790]

these are amazing animals i love them💕

[@jimmoriarty6964]

Nah, I prefer c++

[@badibadabadum]

actually, they're not the invaders, we are.

[@jadenshanil6711]

If only we could respect and admire the complexity of these predators the same way we respect and admire other predators

[@fabuloussnake6011]

I have a Ball Python named noodle. I've held a Red Tail Boa (I know it's a Boa and not a python but I loved it nevertheless) and a Burmese Pythons tail. Noodles are so awesome I love them. Hopefully this video does good on how awesome they are, have yet to watch it Woah this was really informational. I love it :D

[@heatherrussell3715]

I have a reticulated python named noodle lol my kid named him because "noodle" isn't a name for a 10ft retic. She's got jokes 😜

[@HAMAZ_ZSS]

how beautiful!

[@makoto-un3lt]

hmm... the "spurs" look similar to the titanoboa's two legs at the back of it's tail...

[@dragoncard9965]

It was cool but the thing says pythons 101... there were a looooooot of boas in that video.... U can tell because pythons have heat pits, boas do not...

[@dalysherps215]

Not every boa doesn't. Tree boas?

[@dragoncard9965]

Green tree pythons do, but Amazon tree boas and I'm pretty sure emerald tree boas don't have heat pits

[@dalysherps215]

dragon card they do have heat pits.

[@SarastistheSerpent]

That’s not true. Many boas have heat pits and many pythons do not.

[@sheep8128]

Their was an eastern fox snake in their too

[@shofisstar]

Cute danger noodles 💖

[@randomchickrobin]

Pythons are awesome ❤️

[@2l84t]

The snake problem in Florida I believe originated when a breeding center was destroyed by a hurricane.

[@TheJesterOfGenocide]

I love snakes such gorgeous interesting animals

[@mykhanhome2412]

Pythons are cute and amazing and awesome.

[@Gabrielaalvarezdogmom]

Ball pythons are very sweet and shy 🥰😍

[@twin-vlogs2321]

That’s so cool 0_0

[@jurassicanimations0926]

i love all animals i dedicated my life for them and good vid

[@shehzad2519]

2:16 now we know the secret to how they make an elastic band

[@thatoneguy_0218]

What would happen if we were to alter the “on and off” switch for the leg mutation cause them to grow? Would they be able to grow semi to fully functional limbs and would it changed the way they moved around in their environment (their environment being a heavily controlled lab)

[@regiscontreras8758]

👍☺ Excellent! Thanks!

[@freshhell6365]

calling them invasive species as if humans didn't invade their habitats lmao

[@rizqakhmadfauzi3510]

Phyton Ratic my favorite 🐍

[@mykhanhome2412]

I Love python's so much.

[@rodanthefiredemon6493]

I love pythons 🐍 i’m getting one as a pet soon

[@smcwright]

Those spurs are not legs, they're used when mating...

[@gavinxq2274]

smcwright At least it used to be.

[@GandalfTheTsaagan]

That's like saying that our canine teeth aren't canines because they aren't as big and sharp as those of carnivores They are legs, just vetigial with a different purpose

[@715koolgirl]

aleix1203 They actually are *just* for mating lol.

[@GandalfTheTsaagan]

Hannah Renee Yes, that doesn't affect my point

[@715koolgirl]

aleix1203 Yes it does. Your example was that our canine teeth are still canines even though they are smaller than most. So I assume your point was that spurs are still legs even if they are smaller than most. But, spurs are not legs. They are for mating, not walking.

[@AbduLatrish]

the green anaconda inspires as more terror and curiosaty

[@khankaka7632]

it proves python is best pogramming language

[@peytpulayban]

0:52 if I am not mistaken, that wasnt a python. That, I think, was a Boa Constrictor.

[@SinWeissfell]

Yeah I was wondering too. Might be a funny looking reticulated one though

[@obryan240]

Correct

[@reptilesandrandomcomments4058]

Do more things like this

[@sohajoshi3776]

The largest Reticulated Python recorded was 34 feet long. They grew between 33 to 35 feet i.e. 9 to 10 metres.

[@kylin3197]

construct additional pythons

[@pocketoniofficial]

Record length goes to a 33 foot retic, not 25 feet. More importantly, Mainlan Retics can get anywhere (in typical conditions, non dwarf or superdwarf variations of any kind) from 10 to 25 feet. Also it's typical to break 200 pounds when reaching those longer lengths.

[@ahmetkerem4769]

The longest captive snake is the 25 feet one. I am not sure if the wild caught one you are talkng about is in the Guinness. Is it?

[@calibr0636]

I was searching for "python", and I accidentally put an "s" at the end. Here I am now.

[@erdbeerenrex]

JaJaJa!

[@imquitandidiedunsubmepls9035]

Amazing a Snake

[@chairshoe81]

*or one longboi*

[@clpz.9071]

This is all good to know

[@chunkycheese278]

Snakes 🐍 my favorite animal ever I love them 😍

[@chairshoe81]

interrestingly

[@sugarplumduff2386]

i love pythons

[@MohammedWASIQSVU]

My favorite was its jaw functionality... But guys what's the number 101 in the series denotes here?

[@GandalfTheTsaagan]

Mohammed WASIQ 101 is used to indicate that it's a guide or informative content

[@MohammedWASIQSVU]

aleix1203 thanx for the info brother...

[@sagex632]

aaaaa snakes are adorableee

[@phuocpham2428]

Wasn't the longest reticulated python 32 ft?

[@TylerVogel1]

My favorite python is a ball python

[@mahendrnathajialakhgirnari9846]

Wow

[@DrBiBeatz]

People should leave this animals alone

[@ahmetkerem4769]

Why? I would like to pint out that snakes in captivity happen to live longer and healthier if kept in right conditions compared to their wild cousins.

[@hyunjoon.watterson]

I want more now lol

[@jinyongheo4643]

파이톤

[@thekaiman8831]

sweet video!

[@samithawidyasekara4850]

3:12

[@izzylee1252]

Great video! Very informative.

[@steiffbar]

I LOVE snakes!!!

[@sinhlemathebula3321]

100 million years ago? when was that

[@ptilopsis4092]

Beautiful noodles

[@zaidmuhammad862]

3:34 like a boss....✌

[@benp4621]

They’re cute

[@KrayE1999]

My girl has a ball python and I was afraid of them at first but since I seen her interact with such an animal I began to love them as well. They are truly amazing. Eventually I plan on buying my own soon enough. Love pythons 🐍 ❤❤

[@potato_puddings2710]

I always watch

[@the_executioner8643]

0:31 false, the longest was 10 meters/33 feet long

[@justaperson4854]

Is so cut. Dis snek is a cut noodle ball of cuddles. :D

[@entr3_nou5]

*Monty Python’s Flying Circus theme starts playing

[@onespiffywhaleshark4094]

Correction, the reticulated python is the longest snake on Earth where as the green anaconda is the biggest snake, meaning it weighs the most.

[@MrCarl760]

theyre good boys all of them are good boys

[@SEAWOLF21]

Nice

[@minakshichaudhary9300]

You are the best source of knowledge Love u guys😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😊

[@kaosaelee4298]

Pythons DONT NEED LEGS OMG IM SO SCARED

[@DrDonkeyKong2]

46 views 121 likes

[@hyunjoon.watterson]

John Cena The Tank Engine Lolll true

[@potato_puddings2710]

Nice video

[@rnmh1998]

Did anyone else notice how many snakes in this video WEREN'T pythons...

[@TheUniversesDaughter]

pause....the way she said interestingly at 1:29

[@JamesDavis-jw6nj]

Affordability & the Uner?