Meet the Animals
Cocoa
Reticulated python · Malayopython reticulatus
Fifteen feet of sweetness. Cocoa is a nine-year-old caramel mocha reticulated python who is super sweet and puppy-dog tame.
Gentle giant
Puppy-dog tame
Despite her size, Cocoa is one of the sweetest animals in the crew. Her caramel mocha coloring is a captive-bred color morph.
The longest snakes
Named for a net
“Reticulated” means net-like, after their gorgeous geometric pattern. Reticulated pythons are the longest snakes on Earth; the record wild one, measured in Indonesia in 2026, was 23 ft 8 in!
Mealtime
Nonvenomous constrictor
Reticulated pythons are nonvenomous constrictors that hold their prey by squeezing. Cocoa dines on 10 lb rabbits and pigs.
Field notes
About reticulated pythons
- Reticulated pythons are the longest snakes on Earth. The record wild one, measured in Indonesia in 2026, was 23 ft 8 in!
- They come from Southeast Asia, from India to the Philippines and Indonesia.
- “Reticulated” means net-like, after their geometric pattern.
- They're nonvenomous constrictors that hold their prey by squeezing.
- With good care they can live 20–30+ years, so 9-year-old Cocoa has plenty of time ahead of her.
Cared for by
Braxton “Gilly” Gilbert
Cocoa is cared for daily by Gilly at Jefe and Friends (Gilly's Exotics LLC). Questions? Email gillysexotics@gmail.com.