Measured either by their length or by weight, the world’s largest living snakes are mainly members of the Pythonidae and Boidae families. Most of these large snakes are non-venomous constrictors and include anacondas, pythons, and boa constrictors. Some of these snakes have a length that reaches 6m (20ft) and a maximum mass that may exceed 22kg (50 lb). Nevertheless, all these reptilian species play a vital role in the proper functioning of the world’s ecosystem. The predatory nature of most of these species helps in maintaining the delicate natural balance in the ecosystem.
Content:
- The Reticulated Python – The Longest Snake In The World
- The King Cobra – The Longest Venomous Snake
- The Yellow Sea Snake – The Longest Sea Snake
- Green Anaconda – The Heaviest Snake In The World
- The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake – The Heaviest Venomous Snake
- Other Large Snakes
The Reticulated Python – The Longest Snake In The World
The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is the world’s longest snake, which has an estimated length of 1.5-6.5m (4.9-21.3ft ) and weighs between 1-75kg (2.2-165.3 lb). The largest specimen measured from Balikpapan, Indonesia, under anesthesia was 6.95m (22.8ft) long and weighed 59kg (130 lb). The specific epithet – ‘reticulatus’ refers to the snake’s complex color pattern, which protects the snake from its predators while also helping them to catch their prey. This python species is a non-venomous constrictor and its diet ranges from large mammals, primates, pigs, birds, and rodents.
Habitat And Range: These pythons inhabit rainforests, grasslands, and woodlands and are found in the countries of South and Southeast Asia.
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
The King Cobra – The Longest Venomous Snake
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world’s longest venomous snake. The snake attains a length of 3.18-4m (10.4-13.1ft) and weighs about 6kg (13 lb). The longest known specimen measured about 5.85m (19.2ft).
The generic name ‘Ophiophagus’ refers to the “snake-eating” behavior of the King cobras. Thus, these snakes often feed on other snakes like rat snakes to small-sized pythons and other snakes that belong to the venomous category. Besides other snakes, the king cobras also feed on rodents, birds, and lizards. However, the king cobra has lost major portions of its habitat to deforestation activities.
Habitat And Range: King cobras inhabit dense forests, mangrove swamps, agricultural lands and prefer to stay near the lakes, streams, and pools of the forest. They are found in the Indian subcontinent as well as in other countries of South and Southeast Asia including China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines, and Thailand.
IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable
The Yellow Sea Snake – The Longest Sea Snake
The yellow sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis) is the world’s longest species of sea snake, which has an estimated length of 3.0m (9.8ft). However, most of the collected specimens are less than 2m long. They feed primarily on eels.
Habitat And Range: This snake species is generally found in muddy, sandy ocean bottoms and have been recorded to live up to 50m below the water surface. Yellow sea snakes are found in the northern Indian Ocean and different parts of southeast Asia, as well as in New Caledonia, Philippines, and New Guinea.
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Green Anaconda – The Heaviest Snake In The World
The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the world’s heaviest and one of the longest snake species. The snake has an estimated length of about 5.21m (17.1ft ), with the females being larger than the males. The anacondas are bulky and the adult snake weighs averagely between 66-154 lb. The heaviest verified specimen measures 5.2 m (17.09ft) and weighs 97.5 kg (215 lb). This non-venomous solitary boa feeds on a varied diet that ranges from fishes, turtles, birds, deer, wild pigs, caimans and capybaras to even jaguars.
Habitat And Range: This snake species inhabits swamps, marshes, slow-moving streams, and rivers in the tropical rainforests. They are found in the continent of South America, to the east of the Andes Mountains, in the countries of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, the Guianas, and also in Trinidad and northern Paraguay.
IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake – The Heaviest Venomous Snake
The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is one of the world’s heaviest known species of venomous snake and is also the largest known species of rattlesnake. The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake averages 1.5-1.8m (4.9-5.9 ft) in length and weighs about 5.5-6.8kg (12-15lb). The adult eastern diamondbacks feed on small mammals like squirrels, rice rats, and rabbits, and also on small birds.
Habitat And Range: This snake species inhabits coastal forests, flatwoods, scrublands and are also occasionally observed in swamp forests and in between the barrier reefs. They are found in the southeastern United States.
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Other Large Snakes
Burmese Python
In the wild, an adult Burmese python (Python bivittatus) typically grows up to 5m (16ft), with the females being slightly longer, heavier, and bulkier than the males. It is a dark-colored snake with brown blotches on its back and its attractive color makes it highly popular among pet keepers and in the leather industry. Burmese pythons are mainly nocturnal species and are also excellent swimmers, that spend a majority of their time well hidden in the underbrush. Their diet mainly consists of small birds and mammals which they generally kill by constriction.
Habitat And Range: Burmese Python is found in the tropic and sub-tropic areas of South and Southeast Asia.
IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable
African Rock Python
African rock python (Python sebae) is one of the world’s largest snake and also the largest snake in Africa. An adult African rock python measures about 3-3.53m (9.1-11.7ft) and weighs 97-121 lb (44-55kg). It varies considerably in size depending on the area and habitat. This non-venomous snake is thick-bodied and is covered with colored blotches that form large irregular stripes. Their diet mainly consists of a variety of large rodents and mammals which they generally kill by constriction.
Habitat And Range: This snake species inhabits a wide range of habitats including forests, grasslands, rocky areas, and also the edges of swamps, rivers, and lakes. They are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated
Indian Python
Indian python (Python molurus) is a large, non-venomous python species. The snake species measures about 2.7 to 3 m (8.9-10.8ft) and weighs about 52 kg (115 lb). The Indian python is a light-colored snake, with whitish or yellowish blotched patterns that vary from tan to dark brown color. Their diet mainly consists of mammals, birds, and other reptiles.
Habitat And Range: These snakes are excellent swimmers and inhabit a wide range of habitats including grasslands, marshes, and rocky foothills. These snakes are found in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated
Amethystine (scrub) Python
The Amethystine (scrub) python (Simalia amethistina) is one of the largest non-venomous native snakes in Australia and Papua New Guinea. A typical adult specimen measures somewhere up to 8 m (26 ft) with the female weighing about 15 kg (33 lb). The male snakes are smaller and slimmer compared to the females and weigh about 91 kg (200 lb). Their diet consists of birds, bats, rodents, and other small mammals. The larger species that are found in Australia and Papua New Guinea feed on wallabies and cuscus.
Habitat And Range: This snake species generally inhabits bushland and suburbia and are found in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Australia, and Indonesia.
IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated
Yellow Anaconda
The Yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) is one of the world’s largest snakes. An adult yellow anaconda grows to an average of 3.3-4.4m (10.8-14.4ft) in length and weighs between 25-30kg (55-77 lb). The snake is yellow, or greenish-yellow in color, and is overlaid with black to dark brown spots. The female of this boa species is much larger compared to the males and their diet consists of fish, turtles, and small mammals. They are listed under Appendix II of CITES.
Habitat And Range: This snake species generally prefer aquatic habitat including marshes, swamps, and banks of slow-moving water bodies. It is found in South America.
IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated
Boa Constrictor
A Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) is a non-venomous, large, heavy-bodied snake. The snake grows to an average of 0.91-3.96m (3-13ft ) and adult specimens can weigh up to 27kg (60 lb). The size and weight of boa constrictors depend upon the locality and availability of prey species. Their diet consists of birds, rodents, and other small-to-medium-sized mammals. They are listed under Appendix II of CITES.
Habitat And Range: This snake species is mostly terrestrial and can be found in a variety of habitats including rainforests and semi-deserts of Central and South America.
IUCN Conservation Status: Not Evaluated
Cuban Boa
The Cuban boa (Chilabothrus angulifer) is the largest snake on the island of Cuba. It measures around 4.8 m (16 ft) in length and weighs around 27 kg (60 lb). This snake species feeds on small mammals like rodents. The habitat of this island-dwelling snake faces threats from anthropogenic activities.
Habitat And Range: This species is found in Cuba and some adjacent islands and generally inhabits the tropical dry forest and scrub forests.
IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Papuan Python
The Papuan python (Apodora papuana) is a python species. An adult Papuan python grows up to 5m (17ft) in length and weighs about 22.5kg (50 lb). Its color varies from black to mustard yellow but it normally has an olive-green appearance. The python species can change its color especially when it gets agitated. The Papuan python is a nocturnal terrestrial species and its diet mainly consists of small mammals. Sometimes it also feeds on other snakes.
Habitat And Range: It is found in the island of New Guinea.
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
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FAQs
Which is bigger anaconda or python? ›
Python vs Anaconda: Size
An anaconda is shorter than a python, growing up to 22 feet but weighing in at up to 550lbs. The anaconda is a huge reptile that has a diameter of up to 12 inches; that's massive! The python is longer, but the anaconda is thicker and much heavier, so it gets the advantage.
An impossibly long serpent has been spotted, prompting the question: What are your favourite examples of picture fakery? The Daily Telegraph reports today that a 100ft (30m) snake has been spotted lurking in a river in Borneo, "sparking great concern among local communities".
What is deadliest snake in the world? ›The inland or western taipan, Oxyuranus microlepidotus, is the most venomous snake in the world, according to Britannica. Native to Australia, this snake has the deadliest venom based on median lethal dose, or LD50, tests on mice.
Are there anacondas in Florida? ›Florida Distribution
Green anacondas have had relatively few sightings in Florida with a majority of them found around central and north central Florida. They have been reported as far north and Gainesville and as far south as Miami near Everglades City.
King Cobra vs Anaconda: Size
Anacondas are far larger than king cobras. The average anaconda can grow up to 22ft, but the largest anaconda ever found was 33ft long and weighed over 800lbs. The king cobra can grow quite long, up to 19ft at its maximum. However, the snake's weight is a low 15lbs.
A gorilla would win a fight against a snake in the vast majority of cases. If a snake smaller than 10ft long or so attacked a gorilla as a constrictor, the gorilla would bite it to death or tear it apart. A gorilla bitten by a venomous snake would most likely attack and kill the creature before succumbing to its venom.
What is bigger than an anaconda? ›Yes, there is a snake bigger than an anaconda. The reticulated python is longer in length than a green anaconda. Generally, green anacondas reach between 20 to 30 feet in length, according to National Geographic. While the reticulated python is longer than the green anaconda, the latter is heavier.
Is a Titanoboa or anaconda bigger? ›Titanoboa was also a hefty creature. Using the length-weight ratios of a rock python and an anaconda as a guide, Head estimated that Titanoboa weighed in at over 1.3 tons. That's almost thirty times as heavy as the anaconda, the bulkiest species alive today.
Do Titanoboa still exist? ›Titanoboa (/ˌtaɪtənəˈboʊə/; lit. 'titanic boa') is an extinct genus of very large snakes that lived in what is now La Guajira in northeastern Colombia.
What is the biggest snake on land? ›Green Anaconda | National Geographic. At up to 550 pounds, the green anaconda is the largest snake in the world.
How big can anacondas get? ›
Green anacondas are one of the largest snakes in the world. Females are considerably larger than males. They can reach lengths of 30 feet (9 meters), diameters of 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) and can weigh 550 pounds (250 kilograms). Green anacondas are native to the northern regions of South America.
How big is the biggest python ever found? ›The Reticulated Python is one of the snakes very popular with expert reptile keepers. The largest python to ever live was about 26.25 feet long (8 meters) and weighed about 550lbs (250kg). This massive reticulated python was caught in Malaysia in 2016.
What snake kills the fastest? ›Some fun facts about the Black Mamba:
They are some of the world's fastest snakes and are capable of speeds of more than 12 miles (19 km) per hour and hence will be the one which can kill the fastest. In the wild, a black mamba can live for up to 11 years.
Description. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest of its species in the world and the most venomous snake in North America. It has a distinct coloration pattern consisting of dark diamond-shaped dorsal blotches defined by a border of yellowish scales.
Why there are no snakes in Hawaii? ›Snakes are illegal in Hawaii. They have no natural predators here and pose a serious threat to Hawaii's environment because they compete with native animal populations for food and habitat. Many species also prey on birds and their eggs, increasing the threat to endangered native birds.
What is the largest anaconda ever found? ›The heaviest anaconda ever recorded was 227 kilograms. This massive snake was 8.43 metres long, with a girth of 1.11 metres. While the reticulated python is longer, it's also slender. Anacondas are bulky.
What is the deadliest snake that comes from Florida? ›The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida. FWC officials say it also ranks high on the list of venomous snakes in the world.
Is there black mambas in Florida? ›They are more gray or dark brown, and secondly, black mambas do not live in Florida. Black mambas get their name from the black inside of their mouths, and they live in sub-Saharan Africa.
Which is the king of all snakes? ›Their most remarkable type of prey, however, is other snakes! California Kingsnakes are “kings” because they hunt and devour various snake species, including other kingsnakes and even rattlesnakes – they are immune to rattlesnake venom!
What animal can beat a cobra? ›The mongoose is known for its ability to fight and kill venomous snakes, especially cobras. Their specialised acetylcholine receptors render them immune to venom. A mongoose and snake fights stops traffic in this video.
What preys on black mambas? ›
Predation. Adult mambas have few natural predators aside from birds of prey. Brown snake eagles are verified predators of adult black mambas, of up to at least 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in). Other eagles known to hunt or at least consume grown black mambas include tawny eagles and martial eagles.
Who wins king cobra or python? ›Fatal Battle Between King Cobra and Giant Python Ends in Knots. A viral photo, most likely from Southeast Asia, shows a rarely seen encounter. Recently, a lethal battle between two scaly titans ended in a draw, leaving behind a twisted, grisly scene.
What kills gorillas? ›The gorilla's only natural predator is the leopard, and even they very rarely actively hunt juvenile gorillas. Crocodiles and anacondas share a habitat with them and can be deadly to gorillas, but these attacks only occur on rare occasions. The most dangerous animal for the gorilla is unfortunately the human.
Which animal can beat anaconda? ›Anaconda Predators and Threats
The adult anaconda does not generally have any predators since they are at the top of the food chain, being such a huge snake. However, the babies have predators that adult anacondas don't have, including birds and even jaguars.
A megalodon is much larger than a Titanoboa, weighing 100,000lbs and growing 67 feet as opposed to the Titanoboa that only weighed 2,500lbs and grew 50ft. Although their lengths are similar, the sheer size and thickness of the megalodon make it a far larger being. Megalodon has the advantage in size.
Who will win anaconda or Titanoboa? ›The titanoboa far outweighs an anaconda, and is much longer than it too. This is certainly saying something, especially when you consider the fact that the anaconda is the largest snake in the world currently! The average green anaconda grows anywhere from 15-20 feet long and the titanoboa grows 40-50 feet in length.
How many Titanoboa are left? ›The remains of approximately 30 individuals have been recovered. The majority are adults, but some juveniles have been found. Most specimens are made up of vertebrae and ribs, which is typical of snake fossils. It is estimated that Titanoboa may have had more than 250 vertebrae.
When was the last Titanoboa alive? ›At 42 feet long and 1.27 tons, Titanoboa was longer than a school bus and would have had trouble fitting through an office door. This snake lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs during the Paleocene Epoch 58-60 million years ago.
Did the Titanoboa have a predator? ›Threats And Predators
Titanoboa was the apex predator not just of South America but basically of the entire planet. Paleontologists have not yet found any animal who would have dared to prey on a grown titanoboa. Indeed, some scientists believe the snake gladly swallowed whole crocodilians along with fish.
Earth's First Snake Likely Evolved On Land, Not In Water Genetic sleuthing and comparisons of recently discovered fossils with living snakes point to a "protosnake" ancestor that likely had tiny hind legs and lived about 120 million years ago.
Could the Titanoboa come back? ›
As the Earth's temperatures rise, there's a possibility the Titanoboa - or something like it - could make a comeback. But scientist Dr Carlos Jaramillo points out that it wouldn't happen quickly: "It takes geological time to develop a new species. It could take a million years - but perhaps they will!"
Did snakes live with dinosaurs? ›Their results show that all living snakes trace back to just a handful of species that survived the asteroid impact 66 million years ago, the same extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs.
What is the number 1 biggest snake in the world? ›The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is the longest snake in the world, regularly reaching over 6.25 metres in length.
What are the 3 biggest snakes in the world? ›The Largest Snakes in the World
The reticulated python, anaconda, and Burmese python are the three largest snakes on planet Earth, and ours call Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo home. Check out the sections below to learn just how big these guys are!
Using the length-weight ratios of a rock python and an anaconda as a guide, Head estimated that Titanoboa weighed in at over 1.3 tons. That's almost thirty times as heavy as the anaconda, the bulkiest species alive today.
What snake is 5x bigger than an anaconda? ›The Titanoboa is so much longer and thicker than the anaconda, making it a much more dangerous creature. Although we have fossil records of this animal, many questions exist such as this creature's preferred environment, whether it could lift a section of its body off the ground to strike, and what it ate.
Has there ever been a 50 foot snake? ›Titanoboa, discovered by Museum scientists, was the largest snake that ever lived. Estimated up to 50 feet long and 3 feet wide, this snake was the top predator in the world's first tropical rainforest.
What are anacondas bigger than king cobra? ›Anacondas are far larger than king cobras. The average anaconda can grow up to 22ft, but the largest anaconda ever found was 33ft long and weighed over 800lbs. The king cobra can grow quite long, up to 19ft at its maximum. However, the snake's weight is a low 15lbs.
What snake is bigger than a king cobra? ›Burmese Python (Python bivittatus)
Typical Burmese pythons manage to be longer than king cobras by anywhere from 2 to 10 feet! As one of the longest snakes in the entire world, the Burmese python is capable of reaching incredible lengths!
Burmese pythons are larger than ball pythons. An average Burmese python will weigh up to 200 pounds and measure 16 feet long, but the ball python grows to about 6 feet long at most and weighs about 7 pounds. The largest Burmese python was even larger, measuring 18 feet and weighing over 200 pounds.
Is a megalodon bigger than a Titanoboa? ›
A megalodon is much larger than a Titanoboa, weighing 100,000lbs and growing 67 feet as opposed to the Titanoboa that only weighed 2,500lbs and grew 50ft. Although their lengths are similar, the sheer size and thickness of the megalodon make it a far larger being. Megalodon has the advantage in size.
How big was the largest prehistoric snake? ›Named Titanoboa cerrejonensis by its discoverers, the size of the snake's vertebrae suggest it weighed 1,140 kilograms (2,500 pounds) and measured 13 meters (42.7 feet) nose to tail tip.
What's the largest python on record? ›The largest python to ever live was about 26.25 feet long (8 meters) and weighed about 550lbs (250kg). This massive reticulated python was caught in Malaysia in 2016. It was discovered at a construction site.