Reticulated Python vs small tortoiseshell

Python reticulatus compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Reticulated Python is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Reticulated Python	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Pythonidae (Pythons)	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Python (Pythons)	Aglais
Species	Python reticulatus	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Reticulated Python and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Reticulated Python

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Reticulated Python	small tortoiseshell
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	25 years	—
Average Length	6.0 m	—
Average Weight	75.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Reticulated Python

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical coniferous forests, among 4 distinct biome types within the Indomalayan biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Reticulated Python

The reticulated python is the world's longest snake and one of the heaviest. They kill prey by constriction.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.