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The largest living snakes in the world, measured either by length or by weight, are various members of the Boidae and Pythonidae families. They include anacondas, pythons and boa constrictors, which are all non-venomous constrictors. The longest venomous snake, with a length up to 18.5–18.8 ft (5.6–5.7 m), is the king cobra,[1] and the heaviest venomous snake is likely to be the Gaboon viper (which also has the longest fangs and delivers the largest amount of venom) or possibly the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake – all three of these reach maximum weights in the range of 6–20 kilograms (13–44 lb).

There are fourteen living snake species with a maximum mass of at least 50 pounds (23 kg), as shown in the table below. This includes all species that reach a length of at least 20 feet (6 m). There are two other species that reach nearly this length – the Oenpelli python (binomial name Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis, Simalia oenpelliensis or Morelia oenpelliensis),[2] and the olive python (Liasis olivaceus). The information available about these two species is rather limited.[3] The Oenpelli python, in particular, has been called the rarest python in the world.[4][5][6] By weight, the blood python (Python brongersmai) is also a relatively massive snake, although it does not reach exceptional lengths.

It is important to be aware that there is considerable variation in the maximum reported size of these species, and most measurements are not truly verifiable, so the sizes listed should not be considered definitive. In general, the reported lengths are likely to be somewhat overestimated.[7] In spite of what has been, for many years, a standing offer of a large financial reward (initially $1,000 offered by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt in the early 1900s,[8] later raised to $5,000, then $15,000 in 1978 and $50,000 in 1980) for a live, healthy snake over 30 ft (9.14 m) long by the New York Zoological Society (later renamed as the Wildlife Conservation Society), no attempt to claim the reward has ever been made.[3]

Although it is generally accepted that the reticulated python is the world's longest snake, most length estimates longer than 6.35 m (20 ft 10 in) have been called into question.[7] It has been suggested that confident length records for the largest snakes must be established from a dead body soon after death, or alternatively from a heavily sedated snake, using a steel tape and in the presence of witnesses, and must be published (and preferably recorded on video).[7] At least one reticulated python was measured under full anesthesia at 6.95 m (22 ft 10 in), and somewhat less reliable scientific reports up to 10 m (33 ft) have appeared.[9]

Although weight is easier to measure reliably than length (e.g., by simply measuring the weight of a container with and without the snake inside it and subtracting one measurement from the other), a significant factor in the weight of a snake is whether it has been kept in captivity and provided an unusual abundance of food in conditions that also cause reduced levels of activity. Moreover, the weight of wild specimens if often reduced as a symptom of parasite infestations that are eliminated by veterinary care in captivity. Thus, the largest weights measured for captive specimens often greatly exceed the largest weights observed in the wild for the same species. This phenomenon may particularly affect the weight measurements for anaconda species that are especially difficult to keep in captivity due to their semi-aquatic nature, resulting in other species having larger weights measured in captivity. In particular, the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is an especially massive snake if only observations in the wild are considered.

Largest species in the world

Rank	Common name	Scientific name	Family	Mass	Image	Length	Range map
1	Green anaconda	Eunectes murinus	Boidae	May exceed 227 kg (500 lb),[10] validity questionable 97.5 kg (215 lb), reliable, maximum among 780 specimens caught over a seven-year period 1992–98[11] Average 30.8 kg (68 lb) among 45 specimens (1992–98)[11] Generally considered the heaviest in the wild (exceeded by P. bivittatus and M. reticulatus in captivity)		May exceed 8.8 m (29 ft),[10] not firmly verified[7] 6.27 m (20.6 ft), somewhat reliable[12] 5.6 m (18 ft), somewhat reliable[3] 5.21 m (17.1 ft), reliable, maximum among 780 specimens caught over a seven-year period 1992–98[11] Average 3.7 m (12 ft) among 45 specimens (1992–98)[11] Minimum adult length 3.2 m (10 ft)[3]
2	Burmese python	Python bivittatus (recently recognized as distinct from P. molurus)	Pythonidae	182.8 kg (403 lb), reliable, for "Baby" in 1998 (in captivity)[7] 98 kg (216 lb), reliable, for the heaviest individual in the wild[13][14][15][16] 94 kg (207 lb), reliable, for the biggest male in the wild[17][18][19]		5.74 m (18.8 ft), reliable, for "Baby" ca. 1999[7] 5.72 meters (18 ft 9 in), reliable, for the longest individual in the wild[20][21][22] Minimum adult length 2.35 m (7.7 ft)[3]
3	Reticulated python	Malayopython reticulatus	Pythonidae	Up to 158 kg (350 lb), somewhat reliable[23][24] 158.8 kg (350 lb), somewhat reliable, for "Medusa" in 2011[25] About 156 kg (344 lb), somewhat reliable, for "Twinkie" in 2014[26][27] 136 kg (300 lb), somewhat reliable, for "Fluffy" in 2010[28] 133.7 kg (295 lb), reasonably reliable, for "Colossus" in 1954 (with an empty stomach)[7][29] 124.7 kg (275 lb), somewhat reliable, for "Samantha" in 2002[29][30] 115 kg (254 lb), somewhat reliable, for "Super Snake" in 2021[31][32][33] 59 kg (130 lb), reliable, wild specimen in 1999 (after not eating for nearly 3 months)[9]		10 m (33 ft),[23][24] not firmly verified[7] 7.92 m (26 ft), somewhat reliable, for "Samantha" in 2002[29][30] 7.67 m (25.2 ft), somewhat reliable, for "Medusa" in 2011[25] 7.3 m (24 ft), somewhat reliable, for "Fluffy" in 2010[25][28] 7 m (23 ft), somewhat reliable, for "Twinkie" in 2014[27] 7 m (23 ft), somewhat reliable, for "Super Snake" in 2021[31][32][33] 6.95 m (22.8 ft), reliable, wild specimen in 1999[9] 6.35 m (20.8 ft), reasonably reliable, for "Colossus" in 1963 (skeletal length)[7] Minimum adult length 3.04 m (10.0 ft)[3] Generally considered the world's longest
4	Central African rock python	Python sebae (recently recognized as distinct from P. natalensis)	Pythonidae	Up to 113 kg (250 lb),[34] not firmly verified[7] 91 kg (200 lb), reliable[35][36][37]		Up to 7.5 m (25 ft),[38] not firmly verified[7] 6.5 m (21 ft), reliable[39] Minimum adult length 2.50 m (8.2 ft)[3]	Range shown as green region
5	Southern African rock python	Python natalensis (recently recognized as distinct from P. sebae)	Pythonidae	80 kg (180 lb), somewhat reliable, for the largest specimen[40] 65 kg (143 lb), reliable[41] Of 75 individuals measured in South Africa, the longest female weighed 53.4 kg (118 lb).[42]		6 m (20 ft)[43] not firmly verified 5.8 m (19 ft), reliable[39] Of 75 individuals measured in South Africa, the longest female was 4.34 meters long. Individuals longer than 4.6 meters are rare.[44] Typically 2.8–4 m (9.2–13.1 ft)[45]	Range shown as orange region
6	Indian python	Python molurus (recently recognized as distinct from P. bivittatus)	Pythonidae	91 kg (200 lb),[46] not firmly verified[7] 52 kg (115 lb), reliable[47]		6.4 m (21 ft),[46] not firmly verified[7] 4.6 m (15.1 ft), reliable[47]
7	Australian scrub python	Simalia kinghorni (recently recognized as distinct from S. amethistina)	Pythonidae	35 kg (77 lb),[48] reliable 24 kg (53 lb), reliable[49][50]		Some reports up to[51] or exceeding 8 m (26 ft),[3] not firmly verified[7] 7.2 m (24 ft),[52] not firmly verified[50] In excess of 6 m (20 ft)[51] 5.65 m (18.5 ft), reliable[49][50] Typically 3.5 m (11 ft)[3] Minimum adult length 1.8 m (5.9 ft)[3] Little information about size is available[3][53]	Range shown as dark green region
8	Amethystine python	Simalia amethistina (recently recognized as distinct from S. kinghorni)	Pythonidae	Able to reach 20 kg (44 lb),[54] and probably larger Little information about size is available[3][53]		Able to reach 5.5 m (18 ft)[54] 4.72 m (15.5 ft), reliable[55] Little information about size is available[3][53]	Range shown as dark orange and bright orange regions
9	Yellow anaconda	Eunectes notaeus	Boidae	They commonly weigh 25–35 kg (55–77 lb), though large specimens can weigh 40–55 kg (88–121 lb) or even more.[56]		4.6 m (15.1 ft), reasonably reliable[1][57] Typically 3–4 m (10–13 ft)[57] 3.1 m (10 ft) maximum among 86 specimens in a field study[58]	South America
10	Boa constrictor	Boa constrictor	Boidae	More than 45 kg (99 lb)[59]		Possibly up to 4.3 m (14 ft)[60] A much larger report was debunked[7][61]
11	Cuban boa	Chilabothrus angulifer	Boidae	Maximum 40 kg (88 lb), reliable[62] 27 kg (60 lb), reliable[63]		5.65 m (18.5 ft), for the largest specimen[62] Up to 4.8 m (16 ft)[63][64]
12	Beni anaconda	Eunectes beniensis (recently recognized as distinct from E. murinus and E. notaeus)	Boidae	35 kg (77 lb)[citation needed]		Largest specimen 3.2 m (10 ft),[65] relatively reliable Typically up to 2 m (6.6 ft),[66][67] relatively reliable Little information about size is available (known from only six specimens as of 2009)[68]
13	Dark-spotted anaconda	Eunectes deschauenseei (sometimes confused with E. notaeus)	Boidae	30 kg (66 lb)[citation needed]		3 m (9.8 ft),[69][70] relatively reliable
14	Papuan python	Apodora papuana	Pythonidae	Average reported as 22.5 kg (50 lb)[71] Little information about size is available[3]		One reasonably reliable report of 4.39 m (14.4 ft)[3][72] Average reported as 4 m (13.1 ft)[71] Often reaches 3–4 m (9.8–13.1 ft)[3] Most specimens 1.4–3.6 m (4.6–11.8 ft)[72] Little information about size is available[3]

By families

Boas (Boidae)

• The most massive living member of this highly diverse reptilian order is the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) of the neotropical riverways. These may exceed 8.8 m (29 ft) and 227 kg (500 lb), although such reports are not fully verified.[7] Rumors of larger anacondas also persist.[73] The reticulated python (Python reticulatus) of Southeast Asia is longer but more slender, and has been reported to measure as much as 10 m (33 ft) in length and to weigh up to 158 kg (348 lb).[52][24] The Burmese python, a south-east Asian species is known to weigh as much 183 kg and is generally the heaviest snake among average modern wild specimens.^{[citation needed]}

Typical Snakes (Colubridae)

• Among the colubrids, the most diverse snake family, the largest snakes may be the keeled rat snake (Ptyas carinata) at up to 4 m (13 ft).[74] The genus Drymarchon also contains some of the largest colubrids such as the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) and the indigo snake (Drymarchon corais) which can both reach lengths of almost 3 m (9.8 ft).[75][76] The first one mentoined may grows 5 kg (11 lb) and more.[75]
• Another large species in this family is false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) reaching length in 3 m (9.8 ft), and mass 4.56 kg (10.1 lb),[77][78] one of the largest venomous snakes in South America. The tiger rat snake (Spilotes pullatus) also living in South America, and reach length in 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in).[79] Former representative the same genus yellow-bellied puffing snake (Pseustes sulphureus) can exceed length of 3 m (9.8 ft).[80]
• The largest racer Hispaniola racer (Haitiophis anomalus) At an average length of 2 meters (6.56 ft), H. anomalus is the largest colubrid snake in the Americas, and the longest snake species in the West Indies.[81]

Elapids (Elapidae)

• The longest venomous snake is the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), with lengths (recorded in captivity) of up to 5.7 m (19 ft) and a weight of up to 12.7 kg (28 lb).[52] It is also the largest elapid. The second-longest venomous snake in the world is possibly the African black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), which can grow up to 4.5 m (15 ft). Among the genus Naja, the longest member arguably may be the forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca), which can reportedly grow up to 3 m (9.8 ft). In the case of the Indian cobra (Naja naja), the majority of adult specimens range from 1 to 1.5 metres (3.3 to 4.9 ft) in length. Some specimens, particularly those from Sri Lanka, may grow to lengths of 2.1 to 2.2 metres (6.9 to 7.2 ft), but this is relatively uncommon.[82]

Blind Snakes (Leptotyphlopidae)

• The largest blind snake Giant blind snake (Rena maxima) is a female with a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 33 cm (13 in) plus a tail 1.8 cm (0.71 in) long.[83]

Lamprophids (Lamprophiidae)

• The largest lamprophids Cape file snake (Heterolepsis capensis) is a medium to large snake. With an average total length (including tail) of about 120 centimetres (3 ft 11 in), specimens of 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) total length have been recorded. It has a very flat head, and its body is strikingly triangular in cross-section.

Vipers (Viperidae)

• The Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica), a very bulky species with a maximum length of around 2 m (6 ft 7 in), is typically the heaviest non-constrictor snake and the biggest member of the viper family, with unverified specimens reported to as much as 20 kg (44 lb).[52][84] The wild verified largest specimen of 1.8 m (5.9 ft) total length, caught in 1973, was found to have weighed 11.3 kg (25 lb) with an empty stomach.[52] And therefore, the heaviest venomous snake and also the largest species of viper in present usually is a eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) with a maximum reliable mass in 15.4 kg (34 lb) and maximum length of 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in).[85] While not quite as heavy, another member of the viper family is longer still, the South American bushmaster (Lachesis muta), with a maximum length of 3.65 m (12.0 ft).[86]
• The rattlesnake genus Crotalus, which includes the aforementioned eastern diamondback rattlesnake and western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), reaches a maximum length of 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in), and according to W. A. King one large specimen had a length of 2.26 m (7 ft 5 in) and a mass of 11 kg (24 lb).[85] The third largest rattlesnake is the Mexican west coast rattlesnake (Crotalus basiliscus), which reaches 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) long and 7.7 kg (17 lb) mass,[85] and one captive-raised male was weighed at 8.8 kg (19.4 lb) in 2020.[87]

Remarkable individual specimens

Individual specimens considered among largest measured for their respective species include the following:

• Burmese pythons:
  • "Baby" a captive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) female♀ 5.74 meters (18 ft 10 in), 182.8 kilograms (403 lb); "Baby" was kept at Serpent Safari in Gurnee, Illinois, until its death at almost 27 years old, euthanized due to deteriorating condition caused by a tumor in 2006. Several live measurements and post mortem measurement.[7][88]
  • "Hexxie" a captive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) female♀ 5.48 meters (18 ft 0 in), 110 kilograms (240 lb) and still growing; "Hexxie" lives in a terraced house in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England, with owner Marcus Hobbs.[89][90][91]
  • Wild-caught non-native (invasive) Burmese python (Python bivittatus) female♀ 5.39 meters (17 ft 8 in), 98 kg (216 lb) and measured 64 cm (25 in) in diameter; She was carrying 122 developing eggs. Caught by a team of biologists in Everglades, Florida, June 22, 2022.[13][14][15][16]
  • Wild-caught non-native (invasive) Burmese python (Python bivittatus) male♂ 5.23 meters (17 ft 2 in), 94 kg (207 lb) and measured 66 cm (26 in) in diameter; caught by Okeechobee Veterinary Hospital, Florida, July 31, 2009.[17][18][19]
  • Wild-caught non-native (invasive) Burmese python (Python bivittatus) female♀ 5.72 meters (18 ft 9 in), 47.2 kilograms (104 lb); caught in Miami-Dade County, Florida, October 2, 2020.[20][21][22]
  • Wild-caught non-native (invasive) Burmese python (Python bivittatus) female♀ 5.68 meters (18 ft 8 in), 58.1 kilograms (128 lb); caught in Miami-Dade County, Florida, May 11, 2012. Intact specimen measured post mortem by University of Florida.[92][93][94]
  • Wild-caught non-native (invasive) Burmese python (Python bivittatus) female♀ 5.56 meters (18 ft 3 in), 60.3 kilograms (133 lb); caught by University of Florida wildlife biologist in Miami-Dade County, Florida, July 9, 2015. Intact specimen measured post mortem by University of Florida.[95][96][97][88]
  • Wild-caught non-native (invasive) Burmese python (Python bivittatus) female♀ 4.57 meters (15 ft 0 in), 65.3 kilograms (144 lb); caught by Nicholas Banos and Leonardo Sanchez, Everglades, Florida, April 1, 2017.[98][99][100][101]
  • Wild-caught non-native (invasive) Burmese python (Python bivittatus) female♀ 5.2 meters (17 ft 1 in), 63.5 kilograms (140 lb); she was carrying 73 developing eggs. Caught by Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, April 7, 2019. [102][103][104]
• Reticulated pythons:
  • "Medusa" a captive reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) female♀ 7.67 meters (25 ft 2 in) 158.8 kilograms (350 lb); "Medusa" is kept at the Edge of Hell haunted house attraction in Kansas City, Missouri, and was last officially measured in 2011.[25][105]
  • "Samantha" a captive (originally wild-caught near Samarinda, Borneo, as an already very large adult) reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) female♀ 7.92 meters (26 ft), somewhat reliable in 2002[29][30]
  • "Fluffy" a captive reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) female♀ 7.3 meters (23 ft 11 in) 136 kilograms (300 lb); "Fluffy" was last officially measured live on September 30, 2009, and died at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio, on October 26, 2010, due to an apparent tumor. She was 18 years old. 24 feet confirmed when measured at death.[28][25]
  • "Colossus", a captive reticulated python (Maylayopython reticulatus) male♂, skeletal measurement 6.35 meters (20 ft 10 in) 133.7 kilograms (295 lb); "Colossus" was kept at the Highland Park Zoo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died in April 1963, and the body was deposited at the Carnegie Museum.[7]
  • "Twinkie" a captive reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) female♀ 7 meters (23 ft 0 in) 156 kilograms (344 lb); "Twinkie" found sanctuary in the 2014 Guinness World Records book as the world’s largest albino python in captivity. She was a fixture at the Reptile Zoo in Fountain Valley, CA.[26][27]
  • "Super Snake", a captive reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) 14-year-old female♀ 7 meters (23 ft), 115 kilograms (254 lb); "Super Snake" is kept at the National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.[31][32][33]
  • Wild-caught reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) Female♀ 7.5 meters (24 ft 7 in) adjusted post-mortem measurement, unreliable, originally measured alive at 8 meters (26 ft 3 in) unreliably, using an unknown method, 250 kilograms (550 lb) – estimated weight upon capture, unreliable; caught April 7, 2016, Paya Terubong district, Penang Island, Malaysia. Died April 10, 2016.[106][107][108]
  • Wild-caught reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) unknown gender 7.8 meters (25 ft 7 in), unverified; Was killed on October 5, 2017, Pekanbaru, Indonesia.[109][110][111]
  • Wild-caught reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) unknown gender 6 meters (19 ft 8 in), 80 kg (180 lb); Probably, this is largest snake in Phuket in last decade. Caught by Ruamjai Rescue Foundation, December 18, 2014, Phuket, Thailand.[112][113][114]
• Australian scrub pythons:
  • "Maximus" a captive scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) male♂ 5.1 meters (16 ft 9 in), 25 kg (55 lb), at the peak weighed about 27 kg (60 lb), when he was last weighed and measured in 2008; "Maximus" is believed to be the largest Australian native snake in captivity. He is kept at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast, Queensland.[115][116]
  • Wild-caught scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) unknown gender 5 meters (16 ft 5 in), 28 kg (62 lb); caught by Machans Beach in Cairns, Queensland, November 14, 2017.[117][118]
  • Wild-caught scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) unknown gender 5.1 meters (16 ft 9 in), 27 kg (60 lb); caught by Speewah in Mareeba, Queensland, unknown date.[119]
  • Wild-caught scrub pythons (Simalia kinghorni) unknown gender Both of were more 5 meters (16 ft 5 in) (Second caught as stated measuring 5.1 meters (16 ft 9 in) long and 27 kg (60 lb) in weight); caught by Speewah in Mareeba, Queensland, October 24, 2016.[120][121]
  • Wild-caught scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) unknown gender 5.2 meters (17 ft 1 in), 22 kg (49 lb); caught by Speewah in Mareeba, Queensland, February 6, 2017.[122][123][124]

See also

• List of largest reptiles
• List of largest extant lizards
• Largest organisms
• Titanoboa, world's largest known snake from the fossil record
• Gigantophis, one of the world's largest snakes (past record holder for the world's largest known snake from the fossil record)

References

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