The characteristics of a python skin vary across the 50+ species of python. The most common commercially available python skin comes from the diamond python (scientific name: reticulatus), the Burmese python (molurus), and the blood python (curtus).

The commercially available diamond and Burmese python run approximately 2.5 to 6+ meters in length and 25 to 45+ cm in width, averaging approximately 3 meters by 30 cm. The natural markings on the diamond python skin are diamond-shaped and very geometrical while the natural markings on the Burmese python skin are more ovular and more randomly scattered. The wide center belly scales on the diamond python skin are also wider than that of the Burmese python skin.

Diamond Python Skin:

Burmese Python Skin:

The blood python skin runs approximately 1.5 meters in length and has a wide center belly scale similar to the diamond python. The blood python skin also has slightly more body than the other species and is typically only available bleached (no natural markings showing).

Other commonly available snakes are the anaconda, whipsnake, watersnake and rattlesnake. However, none of these are part of the python family and are not used on the same level of luxury product (with the exception of the anaconda).