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'The largest living [[snake]]s in the world, measured either by length or by weight, are various members of the [[boidae]] and [[pythonidae]] families. They include [[anaconda]]s, [[Python (genus)|pythons]], and [[boa constrictor]]s, which are all non-venomous [[Constriction|constrictors]]. The longest ''[[venomous snake|venomous]]'' [[snake]], with a length up to {{convert|18.5|-|18.8|ft|abbr =on}}, is the [[king cobra]],<ref name="mehrtens">{{cite book |last= Mehrtens |first= John |title= Living Snakes of the World |year= 1987 |publisher= Sterling |location= New York |isbn= 0-8069-6461-8}}</ref> 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 which reach maximum weights in the range of {{convert|6|-|20|kg|lb}}. There are ten living snakes, listed below according to their maximum known or reported mass, that have a maximum mass that may reach or exceed {{convert|50|lb}}. Pending the acceptance of its [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomic]] status, the Bolivian anaconda (''[[Eunectes beniensis]]'') may also merit inclusion, and the northern and southern variations of [[African rock python]] could be considered separately. In terms of length, in addition to those listed here, there are two other species that may possibly reach a length of {{convert|20|ft|m}} or more – the Oenpelli python (''[[Morelia oenpelliensis]]'') and the olive python (''[[Liasis olivaceus]]'') – however, the information available about those species is rather limited.<ref name="Mur97"/> The Oenpelli python, in particular, has been called the rarest python in the world.<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yabmq1pTpn8 |title=Rarest Python in the World |date=December 18, 2013 |publisher=SnakeBytesTV |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otbw8pSC114 |title=Breeding plan aims to save snakes |date=March 29, 2012 |publisher= ''[[ABC News (Australia)]]'' |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref><ref name=SydneySmith>{{cite news |first=Deborah |last=Smith |url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/snakes-alive--if-only-hed-been-seeing-double-20120619-20m61.html |title=Snakes alive – if only he'd been seeing double |newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=June 20, 2012 |accessdate=2016-02-09}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Barker2012>{{cite journal |last1=Barker |first1=David G. |last2=Barten |first2=Stephen L. |last3=Ehrsam |first3=Jonas P. |last4=Daddono |first4=Louis |year=2012 |title=The Corrected Lengths of Two Well-known Giant Pythons and the Establishment of a new Maximum Length Record for Burmese Pythons, ''Python bivittatus'' |journal= Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=1–6 |url=http://www.vpi.com/sites/default/files/Barker-et-al_CorrectPythonLengths_2.pdf |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref> 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,<ref>Gordon, David George, "[http://ca.encarta.msn.com/encnet/Features/Columns/?article=sciencesnakes The Search for the $50,000 Snake]". ''[[MSN Encarta]]''. [http://www.webcitation.org/5kwpyPj05 Archived] October 31, 2009.</ref> later raised to $5,000, then $15,000 in 1978 and $50,000 in 1980) for a live, healthy snake over {{convert|30|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} long by the [[New York Zoological Society]] (later renamed as the Wildlife Conservation Society), no attempt to claim the reward has ever been made.<ref name="Mur97">{{cite book |last1=Murphy |first1=J. C. |last2=Henderson |first2=R. W. |year=1997 |title=Tales of Giant Snakes: A Historical Natural History of Anacondas and Pythons |publisher=Krieger Pub. Co. |isbn=0-89464-995-7 |pages=2, 19, 37, 42, 55–56}}</ref> Although it is generally accepted that the [[reticulated python]] is the world's longest living snake, most length estimates longer than 6.35&nbsp;m (20&nbsp;ft 10&nbsp;in) have been called into question.<ref name=Barker2012/> 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).<ref name=Barker2012/> At least one reticulated python was measured under full anesthesia at {{convert|6.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, and somewhat less reliable scientific reports up to {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}} have appeared.<ref name=SunBear>{{cite journal |author=Fredriksson, G. M. |title=Predation on Sun Bears by Reticulated Python in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo |journal= Raffles Bulletin of Zoology |volume=53 |issue=1 |year= 2005 |pages=165–168 |url=http://dare.uva.nl/document/161117 |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- !Rank!! Common name !! Scientific name !! Family !! Mass !! Image !! Length !! Native range by continent(s) |- !1 ||[[The Hurwood]]|| not only the biggest but some say the slimiest of snakes around, bails on footgolf with the lads for a bird #whipped ,''Eunectes murinus''||[[Boidae]]||May exceed {{convert|227|kg|lb|abbr=on}},<ref name=NGGA>{{cite web |url=http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/green-anaconda |title=Green anacondas: ''Eunectes murinus'' |magazine=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref> validity questionable<br>{{convert|97.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, reliable, maximum among 780 specimens caught over a seven-year period 1992–98<ref name =Riv00>{{cite thesis |author=Rivas, Jesús Antonio |year=2000 |title=The life history of the green anaconda (''Eunectes murinus''), with emphasis on its reproductive Biology |degree=[[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] |publisher=[[University of Tennessee]] |url=http://www.anacondas.org/diss/disser.pdf |format=[[Portable Document Format|PDF]] |pages=7, 36 (esp. Table 3-1), 74–80 (esp. Table 5-1), 111 |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref><br>Average {{convert|30.8|kg|lb|abbr=on}} among 45 specimens (1992–98)<ref name =Riv00/><br>Generally considered the heaviest||[[File:Eunectes murinus2.jpg|250px]]||May exceed {{convert|8.8|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref name=NGGA/> not firmly verified<ref name=Barker2012/><br>{{convert|5.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable<ref name=Mur97/><br>{{convert|5.21|m|ft|abbr=on}}, reliable, maximum among 780 specimens caught over a seven-year period 1992–98<ref name=Riv00/><br>Average {{convert|3.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} among 45 specimens (1992–98)<ref name =Riv00/><br>Minimum adult length {{convert|3.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Mur97/><br>Generally considered the second longest||[[South America]] |- !2 |[[Burmese python]]||''Python bivittatus''||[[Pythonidae]]||{{convert|182.8|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, reliable, for "Baby" in 1998<ref name=Barker2012/>||[[File:Python molurus тигровый питон.jpg|250px]]||{{convert|5.74|m|ft|abbr=on}}, reliable, for "Baby" ca. 1999<ref name=Barker2012/><br>Minimum adult length {{convert|2.35|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Mur97/>||[[Asia]] |- !3 |[[Reticulated python]]||''Python reticulatus''||[[Pythonidae]]||Up to {{convert|158|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable<ref name=ADWPR>{{cite web |first=Todd |last=Mexico |url=http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Python_reticulatus/ |title=Python reticulatus |website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] |date=2000 |accessdate=2016-02-03}}</ref><ref name="Cotswold"/><br>{{convert|158.8|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable, for "Medusa" in 2011<ref name=MedusaGBWR/><br>Almost {{convert|160|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable, for "Twinkie" in 2014<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Snakes/Information-News/Twinkie-The-Worlds-Largest-Albino-Reticulated-Python-Dies/ |title=Twinkie The World's Largest Albino Reticulated Python Dies |website=[[Reptiles magazine|''Reptiles'' magazine]] |date=August 14, 2014 |accessdate=2016-05-08}}</ref><br>{{convert|136|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable, for "Fluffy" in 2010<ref name=FluffyLAT/><br>{{convert|133.7|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, reasonably reliable, for "Colossus" in 1954 (with an empty stomach)<ref name=Barker2012/><ref name=JCMretic>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantconstrictingsnakes.com/Reticulatus.html |title=The Reticulated Python, ''Malayopython'', Clade |website=Giant Constricting Snakes: The Science of Large Serpents, JCM Natural History |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref><br>{{convert|124.7|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable, for "Samantha" in 2002<ref name=JCMretic/><ref name=SamanthaNYT>{{cite news |last=Santora |first=Marc |title=Never Leather, Samantha The Python Dies at the Zoo |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/22/nyregion/never-leather-samantha-the-python-dies-at-the-zoo.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 22, 2002 |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref><br>{{convert|59|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, reliable, wild specimen in 1999 (after not eating for nearly 3 months)<ref name="SunBear"/>||[[File:Python reticulatus сетчатый питон-2.jpg|250px]]||{{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref name=ADWPR/><ref name="Cotswold">[http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/meet-animals/python.htm Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens | Reticulated python]. Cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk</ref> not firmly verified<ref name=Barker2012/><br>{{convert|7.9|m|ft|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable, for "Samantha" in 2002<ref name=JCMretic/><ref name=SamanthaNYT/><br>{{convert|7.67|m|ft|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable, for "Medusa" in 2011<ref name=MedusaGBWR>{{cite web |title=Longest snake – ever (captivity) |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-snake-ever-(captivity) |website=[[Guinness Book of World Records]] |date=October 12, 2011 |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref><br>{{convert|7.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable, for "Fluffy" in 2010<ref name=FluffyLAT>{{cite news |title=R.I.P. Fluffy: Guinness record-holding reticulated python, 24 feet long, dies at Columbus Zoo |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/10/rip-fluffy-guinness-record-holding-reticulated-python-24-feet-long-dies-at-columbus-zoo.html |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |date=October 27, 2010 |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref><br>{{convert|6.95|m|ft|abbr=on}}, reliable, wild specimen in 1999<ref name="SunBear"/><br>{{convert|6.35|m|ft|abbr=on}}, reasonably reliable, for "Colossus" in 1963 (skeletal length)<ref name=Barker2012/><br>Minimum adult length {{convert|3.04|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Mur97/><br>Generally considered the world's longest||[[Asia]] |- !4 |[[African rock python]]||''Python sebae''<br>(sometimes considered two species, ''P.&nbsp;sebae'' and ''P.&nbsp;natalensis'')||[[Pythonidae]]||Up to {{convert|113|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/african-rock-python |title=African rock python |publisher=[[Oregon Zoo]] |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref> not firmly verified<ref name=Barker2012/>||[[File:Adult Female Python sebae 1.33aspect.jpg|250px]]||Up to {{convert|7.5|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arkive.org/african-rock-python/python-sebae/ |title=African rock python (''Python sebae'') |publisher=[[Wildscreen]] |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref> not firmly verified<ref name=Barker2012/><br>Minimum adult length {{convert|2.50|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Mur97/>||[[Africa]] |- !5 |[[Indian python]]||''Python molurus''||[[Pythonidae]]||{{convert|91|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}},<ref name=ADWPM/> not firmly verified<ref name=Barker2012/><br>{{convert|52|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, reliable<ref name=Minton>{{Citation |first=S. A. |last=Minton |title=A contribution to the herpetology of West Pakistan |journal=Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History |volume=134 |issue=2 |year=1966 |pages=117–118 |url=http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/handle/2246/1129 }}.</ref>||[[File:Pratik jain dahod python.JPG|250px]]||{{convert|6.4|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref name=ADWPM>{{cite web |url=http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Python_molurus |title=''Python molurus'': Indian Python |website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref> not firmly verified<ref name=Barker2012/><br>{{convert|4.6|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}, reliable<ref name=Minton/>||[[Asia]] |- !6 |Amethystine (scrub) python||''[[Morelia amethistina]]''||[[Pythonidae]]||{{convert|91|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}}{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}<br>Little information about size is available<ref name="Mur97"/><ref name=JCMamethystine/>||[[File:High-Yellow Sorong Amethystine Scrub Python.jpg|250px]]||Some reports up to<ref name=Obst84/> or exceeding {{convert|8|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref name="Mur97"/> not firmly verified<ref name=Barker2012/><br>{{convert|7.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}, somewhat reliable<ref name = "Wood">{{cite book | author = Wood, Gerald |url = | title =The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats| year = 1983 | isbn = 978-0-85112-235-9}}</ref><br>In excess of {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Obst84>{{cite book |last1=Obst |first1=Fritz Jürgen |last2=Richter |first2=Klaus |last3=Jacob |first3=Udo |title=The Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium ''(originally published in German in 1984 as '' Lexicon der Terraristik und Herpetologie ''by Edition Leipzig)'' |date=1988 |publisher=[[T.F.H. Publications]] |isbn=978-0-86622-958-6 |pages=496–498}}</ref><br>Typically {{convert|3.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="Mur97"/><br>Minimum adult length {{convert|1.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Mur97/><br>Little information about size is available<ref name="Mur97"/><ref name=JCMamethystine>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantconstrictingsnakes.com/amethystina.html |title=Amethystine Python, ''Simalia amethistina'' (Schneider) |website=Giant Constricting Snakes: The Science of Large Serpents, JCM Natural History |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref>||[[Asia]], [[Australia]] |- !7 |[[Boa constrictor]]||''Boa constrictor''||[[Boidae]]||More than {{convert|45|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref>[http://www.zoo.org/page.aspx?pid=411 Boa Constrictor Fact Sheet – Woodland Park Zoo Seattle WA]. Zoo.org. Retrieved on 2012-08-22.</ref>||[[File:Boa constrictor, Vaňkovka, Brno (2).jpg|250px]]||Possibly up to {{convert|4.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="wagner">Wagner, D. "Boas". Barron's. ISBN 0-8120-9626-6</ref><br>A much larger report was debunked<ref name=Barker2012/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantconstrictingsnakes.com/Boaconstrictor.html |title=The ''Boa'' Clade |website=Giant Constricting Snakes: The Science of Large Serpents, JCM Natural History |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref>||[[North America]], [[South America]] |- !8 |[[Yellow anaconda]]||''Eunectes notaeus''||[[Boidae]]||{{convert|40|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name=ADWEN/><br>Typically {{convert|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name=ADWEN/>||[[File:Anaconda jaune 34.JPG|250px]]||{{convert|4.6|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}, reasonably reliable<ref name=mehrtens/><ref name=ADWEN>{{cite web |last=Colthorpe |first=Kelly |url=http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eunectes_notaeus/ |title=Eunectes notaeus |website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] |date=2009 |accessdate=2016-02-03}}</ref><br>Typically {{convert|3|-|4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=ADWEN/><br>{{convert|3.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} maximum among 86 specimens in a field study<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantconstrictingsnakes.com/notaeus.html |title=Yellow Anaconda, ''Eunectes notaeus'' (Cope) |website=Giant Constricting Snakes: The Science of Large Serpents, JCM Natural History |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref>||[[South America]] |- !9 |Dark-spotted anaconda||''[[Eunectes deschauenseei]]''||[[Boidae]]||{{convert|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}||[[File:Eunectes notaeus (Puntaverde Zoo, Italy).jpg|250px]]||{{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantconstrictingsnakes.com/deschauenseei.html |title=De Schauensee's Anaconda, ''Eunectes deschauenseei'' (Dunn and Conant) |website=Giant Constricting Snakes: The Science of Large Serpents, JCM Natural History |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref> validity unknown||[[South America]] |- !10 |[[Papuan python]]||''Apodora papuana''||[[Pythonidae]]||{{convert|22.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=''Apodora Papuana'': Papuan Olive Python |url=http://www.pythonidae.nl/pythons-apodora-papuana.html |first=Michael |last=de Groot |website=Pythonidae |date=2015 |accessdate=2016-02-09}}</ref><br>Little information about size is available<ref name="Mur97"/>||[[File:Apodora papuana 2.JPG|250px]]||One reasonably reliable report of {{convert|4.39|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="Mur97"/><ref name=JCMpapuan>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantconstrictingsnakes.com/Apadora.html |title=Papuan Olive Python, ''Simalia papuana'' (Peters and Doria, 1878) |website=Giant Constricting Snakes: The Science of Large Serpents, JCM Natural History |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref><br>Often reaches {{convert|3|-|4|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="Mur97"/><br>Most specimens {{convert|1.4|-|3.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=JCMpapuan/><br>Little information about size is available<ref name="Mur97"/>||[[Asia]], [[Australia]] ([[Oceania]]) |} ==See also== {{Portal|Reptiles}} *[[List of largest reptiles]] *[[Largest organisms]] *[[Titanoboa]], world's largest known snake (currently from the fossil record) *[[Gigantophis]], one of the world's largest snakes (the past record holder for the world's largest snake) {{Wikispecies|Reptilia}} ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Wikispecies|Reptilia}} [[Category:Biological records]] [[Category:Lists of snakes]] [[Category:Megafauna]]'