Biggest Snake in the World

Snakes are some of the most peculiar reptiles on Earth. They slither their way around the world on land and their dominion extends even in lakes, rivers and oceans. Snakes evolved from aquatic and burrowing lizards and today there are over 2900 species of them around the world. So, let us see among all these species, which one qualifies to be the biggest snake in the world, in this Buzzle article.

'Biggest' is an ambiguous word. The term 'Biggest Snake In the World' could either mean the longest, thickest, the heaviest or all three. Let us see which snake species qualifies, by all these attributes, to be the world's biggest snake.

Biggest Snake in the World by Length - Reticulated Python

The biggest snake in the world, by length, that is, the longest snake, is the 'Reticulated Python' or Python Reticulatus, found in South-East Asia. Growing up to an average length of over 28 feet (that is 8.7 meters), this is the longest species of snake in the world. These snakes belong to the family of pythons, which are all non-venomous giant snakes, who kill their prey by constriction. They also happen to be the longest living reptiles on Earth. Their name 'Reticulated' or 'Net Like' comes from the net like patterns on their bodies.

These pythons are excellent swimmers and are known to travel far and wide in search of prey. In the process, they have extended their dominion over many islands in South-East Asia. They feed on mammals and even birds at times. There have been reports of a Reticulated Python eating cats, dogs and huge pigs. Their technique of catching a prey is through ambushing and killing it by constriction. The maximum recorded length of these pythons is greater than 32 feet! Its natural habitat is grasslands, swamps, rivers, woodlands and even seas. They are mostly found in the rain forests of South-East Asia.

Biggest Snake in the World By Weight, Thickness - Green Anaconda

The biggest snake in the world by weight and thickness is the 'Green Anaconda' (Eunectus Murinus) found in South America. The Anacondas belong to the 'Boa' family of snakes and have no rivals except humans, in the Amazonian rain forests, which they inhabit. They are the kings and top predators of their habitat, who prey upon just about anything they set their sights on. Swamps and marshy lands in rain forests are their preferred abode.

They are found mostly in the regions in and around South America, which includes Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Columbia, which all lie towards the East of the Andes mountains. Their average recorded length is 22 feet and their weight can reach up to 250 kg! Due to their weight, Anacondas spend the maximum amount of their time in water. They are the thickest of all snakes in the world. Their preys are fish, mammals, reptiles and practically any alive creature they can overpower and subdue. They have been known to eat deer, caimans, crocodiles and even jaguars!

Biggest Snake in the World in Prehistoric Times

In February, 2009, scientists found the fossilized remains of a prehistoric snake, which was as long as a bus and lived in the north-eastern part of Columbia, about 60 million years ago. This prehistoric beast was a record 42 feet long and weighed over 1,140 kg! This makes it as long as the Tyrannosaurus Rex. It has been named as Titanoboa Cerrejonensis as it is a prehistoric ancestor of the Boa Constrictor. In its heyday, it was unarguably the 'King of Snakes'. It is one of those extinct animals, which ruled the world in prehistoric days.

Just thinking about these huge beasts, gives me the shivers. Hope this article has finally given you the answer, as to which is the biggest snake in the world.