Many peoples have legends about huge snakes. There are real champions among snakes, but folk fantasy often greatly exaggerates their size. In fact, snakes are far from so large. But people most often feel a strong fear at the sight of this reptile, so the snake seems larger than it really is.
Is there a twenty-meter snake?
Some snakes have a genetic predisposition to grow up to two tens of meters. Such giants could be anacondas and pythons. But snakes usually do not grow to such an impressive size. The longest snake is considered to be a reticulated python caught by farmers in Indonesia in 2003. Its length was almost 14 m 83 cm. This python is rightfully considered the heaviest. He weighed 447 kg. As of 2014, the largest snake is also a reticulated python. He is slightly smaller than the record holder. Its length is 12 m 34 cm. On average, the average adult reticulated python is about 10 m long. The Guinness Book of Records includes a python 9 m 50 cm long and weighing about two centners. Pythons have been living in nature for about twenty years. But in captivity, where they have no natural enemies, these snakes are able to live much longer.
Where do pythons live?
Reticulated pythons live mainly in Asia, as well as on the islands of Indonesia and the Philippines. These giants of the snake kingdom got their name for their very beautiful skin. The back of the python is covered with a pattern of light rhombuses and triangles. The elements of the pattern are associated with spots on the sides. The reticulated python has luxurious shiny scales, so it is not only the largest snake, but also almost the most beautiful. Reticulated pythons live near water bodies. The reticulated python lives primarily on the ground, although it climbs trees as well as other snakes. This snake is not afraid of humans, so it settles near forest villages. For a grown man, this snake is not dangerous. Python attacks children and petite women. The python becomes aggressive in high humidity, mainly after heavy rains. Unfortunately, people systematically exterminate pythons, mainly for beautiful skin and delicious gourmet meat.
Other record-breaking snakes
Other types of pythons can reach impressive sizes - for example, Indian, royal or African rocky, diamond. A length of 7-8 meters for these representatives of the serpentine world is the most common occurrence. Anacondas also grow to a solid length. The longest member of this species has grown to 11 m 43 cm in length. The weight of this snake can reach one and a half centners or even more. Sometimes the boa constrictor is considered the largest snake, but in fact it is not that big, on average about five meters in length. The reputation of the record holder was entrenched for him mainly thanks to the famous Kipling tale of Mowgli.
