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What Is The Biggest Snake In The World?

Snakes can grow to colossal sizes, although some reports have long been exaggerated.

The largest snakes in the world belong to the python and boa families. Which family contains the biggest depends on whether you are measuring these reptiles by weight or length.

While man-eating snakes are exceptionally rare (although it has been known to happen), there are some truly huge reptile species slithering about on our planet.

What is the longest snake in the world?

Reticulated pythons are the longest snakes in the world. They are native to southeast Asia © Opayaza12/ Shutterstock 

The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is the longest snake in the world, regularly reaching over 6.25 metres in length. It is the longest of the 39 species in the family Pythonidae. 

The longest reticulated python ever recorded was found in 1912 and measured in at a staggering 10 metres - that's more than half the length of a bowling lane and makes this snake longer than a giraffe is tall.

Reticulated pythons live in southeast Asia and while they are typically found in rainforests, woodland and grasslands, their habitat preference seems to depend on their location. In Myanmar, these non-venomous snakes have only been found in pristine forest, whereas in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysian Borneo they've also been recorded in sewers. 

Reticulated pythons hatch at about 60 centimetres long, but grow to huge sizes in their lifetime. © Ralfa Padantya/ Shutterstock 

Reticulated pythons are known to climb trees by firmly wrapping their bodies around the trunks and using muscular upward force.

The longest and heaviest snake to ever be held in captivity was a female reticulated python called Medusa. Held in the USA, Medusa reached 7.67 metres long and weighed 158.8 kilograms.

Green anacondas (Eunectes murinus) are also exceptionally long snakes. But they have also been subject to exaggerated length measurements in the past, with snakes of over 24 metres allegedly sighted. In reality, the green anaconda rarely exceeds 6.25 metres.

The longest venomous snake

King cobras are the longest venomous snakes in the world. This one is showing off its length in a raised, defensive posture. © Jolly Therattil/ Shutterstock 

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake.

In 1937, a 5.54-metre-long king cobra was found in Negeri Sembilan state on the Malay Peninsula. Captured and kept at London Zoo, it eventually grew to 5.71 metres. But this huge snake was killed at the outbreak of the Second World War, to avoid putting the public in danger should the zoo be bombed and the snake escape.

Over five metres is unusual for king cobras, although even their average length of 3.7-4.6 metres makes them large animals.

These snakes best show off their length when they're feeling defensive or need to see above tall grass or bushes.

They will raise the front of their body up to about one metre off the ground and can even chase threats while in this posture. As an additional scare tactic, they will hiss and flatten their neck ribs into a hood, giving them the classic cobra shape.

A Museum worker holds a king cobra specimen in the 1930s. It is thought that the specimen may have just arrived at the Museum when this photo was taken. Discover more about our amphibian and reptile collections.  

These snakes generally prefer to flee than fight, however.

King cobras are found in south and southeast Asia in a variety of habitats including forests, mangrove swamps and some agricultural land with remnants of woodland. They're also competent swimmers.

However, they are generally uncommon in any of the areas they inhabit, with the exception of some forested areas in Thailand.

King cobras are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In parts of their range, they have faced population declines of over 80% in 10 years due to habitat loss and exploitation, such as being harvested for its skin, food and medicinal purposes.

Find out more about the global trade in wild animals. 

The longest sea snake

Growing up to 2.75 metres long, the yellow sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis) is the longest species of sea snake. Most specimens that have been collected are less than two metres long, however.

The yellow sea snake lives in the northern Indian Ocean and around parts of southeast Asia, as well as being seen near New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific Ocean.

All sea snakes, including the yellow sea snake, have paddle-like tails to help them move through the water. This is the tail of a yellow-bellied sea snake. © NickEvansKZN/ Shutterstock 

Relatively little is known about these sea snakes. There have been records of the species at up to 50 metres below the surface and it is generally found over muddy sandy bottoms, feeding on eels.

What is the heaviest snake in the world?

Green anacondas are the heaviest snakes in the world. Their size has been exaggerated in the past, however. © LABETAA Andre/ Shutterstock 

Green anacondas are the heaviest snakes in the world. 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. It's estimated that a 5.2-metre-long anaconda would weigh about the same as a 7.3-metre-long reticulated python. 

Anacondas spend most of their time in water, and have eyes and nostrils on the top of their head © Danny Ye/ Shutterstock  

Green anacondas are non-venomous, solitary and found in South America and Trinidad. They spend most of their time in water, usually in swamps, marshes, slow streams and rivers. Because of this, the nostrils and eyes have evolved to be on top of the head, rather than to the sides, so that the snake can breathe and see prey and predators above water while its large body is kept submerged.

These snakes have a varied diet, from turtles and fish to peccaries, deer, capybaras (the world's largest rodent), and even jaguars on rare occasions. Anacondas belong to the boa family and use their long, muscular bodies to constrict their prey. 

A large anaconda is lifted out of a case on arrival at the New York Zoological Park (now the Bronx Zoo) in 1912 . Image: Internet Archive Book Images via Flickr

Although 'anaconda' is often used to refer to green anacondas, there are actually three other species that are all marginally smaller: the Bolivian anaconda (Eunectes beniensis), dark-spotted anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei) and the yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus). They are all found in South America.

The heaviest venomous snake

Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are heaviest venomous snakes in the world © Chase D'animulls/ Shutterstock 

The eastern diamondback (Crotalus adamanteus) is a rattlesnake and thought to be the world's heaviest venomous snake, with a particularly massive 2.56-metre individual tipping the scales at 15 kilograms.

Typically, the eastern diamondback reaches 5.5-6.8 kilograms and 1.5-1.8 metres long, however.

Found in southeastern USA, this snake prefers flatwoods, coastal forests and scrubland habitats. It isn't often found in wet areas, although it's a confident swimmer, occasionally seen in swamps and between barrier reefs. 

Rattlesnakes are named for the rattle at the ends of their tails. This structure is made up of interlocking hollow segments. The snakes rapidly vibrate their tails, creating a rattling noise and used as a warning to potential predators. © Chase D'animulls/ Shutterstock 

Adult eastern diamondbacks dine on small mammals, such as rabbits and squirrels, and small birds, while the young eat rats and mice. They strike their prey with a venom-filled bite, before letting it crawl away and die, at which point the snake eats it.

The Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica), is another large snake, but it doesn't get quite as heavy as the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. A particularly long individual of 1.83 metres did weigh in at 11.34 kilograms, however.  

Gaboon vipers are the snake species with the longest fangs

While they aren't generally as heavy as the eastern diamondback, Gaboon vipers have fangs which are the longest of any snake at 55 millimetres. They also have the highest yield of venom, carrying up to 600 milligrams at a time.

What was the largest snake ever found?

Described in 2009, Titanoboa cerrejonensis has long been considered the largest snake to ever exist. It lived 60–58 million years ago in what's now Colombia.

At over 11 centimetres wide, the fossil backbones, or vertebrae, are huge.  By comparing them with the vertebrae of Titanoboa's modern relatives, scientists can estimate the size of the giant prehistoric boas. They conclude they grew to around 13 metres long and weighed about 1,135 kilogrammes. This makes Titanoboa some three metres longer and five times heavier than any snake species living today.

Some skull material believed to belong to Titanoboa has also been found, but scientists haven't published a description yet.

There's debate over whether Titanoboa fossils can tell us what the snake's prehistoric environment was like. For some researchers, its size indicates that it lived in areas reaching 30–34°C. Other scientists disagree, noting that this estimate conflicts with other calculations that predict a climate several degrees cooler.

In 2024, scientists announced another record-breaking fossil snake. Vasuki indicus was found in western India and lived around 47 million years ago. It's estimated to have been 11–15 metres long. Rather than being a boa or python like today's largest snakes, this new species may have belonged to a mysterious extinct family called Madtsoiidae.

This finding suggests that V. Indicus may in fact be longer than Titanoboa. But researchers have urged caution over officially crowning the new species as the longest snake ever found due to differences in how the total length was calculated. 

Biggest Snakes In The World By Length And By Weight

While you may not want to encounter one on a hike, there's no denying that snakes are magnificent creatures — no matter how big or small they are. But when it comes to the biggest snakes in the world, nature truly knows no bounds.

From the mighty green anaconda to the reticulated python, these giant snakes are jaw-dropping and deadly. They inhabit diverse environments across the globe, and each species has unique adaptations that allow them to thrive.

How Do You Measure the World's Largest Snakes?

"The question of size is a tricky one," says Jesus Rivas, a herpetologist and professor of biology at New Mexico Highlands University. Imagine if someone asked you, "What's the largest land mammal?" According to Rivas, you would "answer before hesitation" that it's the African savanna elephant.

"Nobody would start bellyaching as to how much taller giraffes are. Simply because when we mean size, mass is the determining factor," he says. "That is why I simply say anacondas are the largest snakes in the world, period."

Exact measurements are hard to pin down. Green anacondas — and reticulated pythons — are incredibly strong beasts. Not only that, but a massive snake doesn't always react well to handling.

With all that in mind, we've divided our lists into "longest" and "heaviest," though you'll notice a few species that find their way into the top ranks of both categories.

6 Longest Snakes

From nose to tail, these are the six longest snakes in the world.

1. Reticulated Python (up to 32 feet/9.8 meters)

Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus). Paul Starosta / Getty Images

The reticulated python — or "retic" — is a marvel of nature, embodying the extremes of reptilian growth. Native to the lush rainforests of South and Southeast Asia, Malayopython reticulatus is recognized for its striking pattern, a complex mosaic of diamond shapes interspersed with intricate lines and vibrant colors.

Adults can achieve astonishing lengths: On average, adult retics typically range from 10 to 20 feet in length.

These constrictors, while nonvenomous, are formidable predators, relying on their immense strength to subdue prey, which includes a variety of mammals and the occasional bird.

The longest snake in the world gets big enough to swallow pigs, deer — and yes, the occasional human. This comes as no surprise to Richard Shine, a biologist at Australia's Macquarie University.

In an email interview, Shine says he "encountered one individual female that was almost 23 feet [7 meters] long" while conducting research in Sumatra. "[Females] grow longer than males in both the reticulated python and the anaconda, so the biggest snake in the world (wherever she is) is doubtless a female," he notes.

Gulp!

In a 2005 report, another plus-sized retic — from the island of Borneo — was measured at 22 feet, 10 inches (6.95 meters) long. Fun fact about that snake: It ate a bear.

Somehow, a wild, 50-pound (23-kilogram) sun bear who'd been wearing a radio collar caught the reptile's attention. The retic swallowed it whole, collar and all. Researchers later tracked the python down for examination.

2. Green Anaconda (up to 30 feet/9.1 meters)

Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus). James Gerholdt / Getty Images

Found in the Amazon Basin, these muscular marvels are ambush predators, which means they wait — sometimes completely submerged in water — for their prey to wander within striking distance. They don't have venom, so they use their sheer strength to constrict and overpower their victims.

3. Scrub Python (up to 27 feet/8.2 meters)

Scrub pythons. Matt Vickery / Shutterstock

Also known as amethystine pythons, these are the longest snakes in Australia. With a slender body and a strong bite, scrub pythons are skilled hunters, preying on everything from birds to marsupials.

Unlike anacondas, scrubs don't rely on water; they're all about the trees and rocky outcrops. They're like the rock climbers of the snake world, showing us just how adaptable legless reptiles can be.

4. African Rock Python (up to 24 feet/7.3 meters)

African rock python. Zaferkizilkaya / Shutterstock

These powerful snakes are known for their striking patterns and aggressive nature. The African rock python is often found in savannas, grasslands and forests, where it hunts mammals as large as antelope and crocodiles.

5. Indian Python (up to 20 feet/6.1 meters)

Indian python. McDonald Wildlife Photography In / Getty Images

Known for its calm demeanor, this serpent often pops up found in grasslands, swamps and forests across South Asia. Indian pythons are skilled swimmers, just like the anaconda, and they enjoy a good soak when they can find water.

6. King Cobra (up to 18 feet/5.5 meters)

King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah). Joe McDonald / Getty Images

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) demands respect as the world's longest venomous snake. With lengths up to 19 feet (5.85 meters), it is a true giant among its kind.

This snake, native to South and Southeast Asia's dense forests, is distinguished by its chevron-patterned skin and exceptional behavior; it is notably the only snake that constructs nests for its eggs, displaying a fierce maternal protection.

The diet of the king cobra is as remarkable as its nesting habits — it preys on other snakes, even large pythons, earning its moniker "snake-eater." Although its venom is not the most toxic, in a single bite, the king cobra can unleash enough neurotoxins to bring down an elephant or multiple humans.

Beyond its ecological role, the king has also coiled itself into pop culture. It has inspired characters like the hypnotic Kaa in Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," and its fearsome image is central to the "Cobra Kai" dojo in the "Karate Kid" franchise, symbolizing strength and resilience.

6 Heaviest Snakes

These are the snakes that tip the scale the most — literally.

1. Green Anaconda (up to 550 lbs/249 kg)

Green anaconda. Huang jenhung / Shutterstock

Rivas has been studying green anacondas in their natural habitat for three decades and counting.

"The largest [green anaconda] I have caught was a bit more than 220 pounds [100 kilograms]," Rivas tells us via email. "There are figures of 500 pounds [227 kilograms] that I do not doubt," he says.

Indeed, the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the world's heaviest snake species. Native to South America, it thrives in aquatic environments like swamps and slow-moving rivers.

Here's the rub: Green anacondas are more heavily built animals than retics.

Due to their hulking proportions, experts agree that the South American snakes can get much, much heavier than even the largest of pythons. Yet, when it comes to body length, reticulated pythons might actually have a slight edge.

Rivas says there are records that suggest that, when comparing the two snakes, retics grow longer:

"The largest [green anaconda] I have measured was a bit shy of 18 feet [5.5 meters]. While I do not doubt they can grow larger, possibly 8 meters [26 feet] or more, this is far from widely accepted among [specialists]."

2. Burmese Python (up to 403 lbs/183 kg)

Burmese python (Python bivittatus). Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Despite their size, Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) are excellent swimmers and can stay submerged for up to half an hour before surfacing for air. They are also known for their distinctive color pattern, featuring brown blotches bordered in black down the length of their bodies.

Unlike some of their other slithering pals, Burmese pythons are both predators and prey. They are apex predators in their habitat, but their young are often hunted by larger animals.

These gentle giants, while nonvenomous, are constrictors, subduing their prey with immense strength before consumption.

3. Reticulated Python (up to 350 lbs/159 kg)

Reticulated python. Ben Grasser / Shutterstock

It should come as no surprise that the world's longest snake is also one of the heaviest. Native to Southeast Asia, it's got a muscular build and a dazzling pattern across its scales, which helps it blend into forests and grasslands.

4. African Rock Python (up to 200 lbs/91kg)

African rock python (Python sebae). Joe McDonald / Getty Images

African rock pythons (Python sebae) hold the title as Africa's largest snake, with the capacity to reach lengths of up to 4.8 meters (15.7 feet). This formidable constrictor inhabits a wide range of environments across sub-Saharan Africa, from savannas to rainforests, showcasing its adaptability.

Its mottled, earthy coloration not only provides excellent camouflage amongst the African wilderness but also underscores its raw, natural beauty.

The rock python exhibits remarkable maternal instincts; females aggressively guard their eggs until they hatch, which is unusual among snakes.

These pythons have a voracious appetite, able to prey on animals as large as antelopes. And due to their size and strength, they have few natural predators once they reach adulthood.

5. Indian Python (up to 200 lbs/91 kg)

Indian python. Slowmotiongli / Shutterstock

Tying the African rock python for the No. 4 spot, an Indian python can easily outweigh a small child. With a solid frame to support their substantial girth, these snakes aren't exactly carry-on-sized. Females are often larger than males, which is typical for pythons.

6. Scrub Python (up to 77 lbs/35 kg)

Australian scrub python. Ken Griffiths / Shutterstock

While the Australian scrub python comes in at less than half the weight of the previous entry on this list, it's not exactly a lightweight. This particular species is nocturnal, so its vertical pupils help it adapt to low light levels as it uses heat-sensing pits in its mouth to hunt for prey at night.

2 Enormous Extinct Snakes

Oh, you thought we were done? No no, there are a couple of even bigger snake species that put the longest reticulated python of today to shame.

1. Titanoboa

Attendees view a replica of the prehistoric Titanoboa, the largest snake to ever live, on display at Grand Central Terminal on March 23, 2012 in New York City. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Some 58 million years ago, a gargantuan snake patrolled the rivers of Colombia. Named Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the animal swims those waters no more.

Experts aren't sure why the reptile died out. Maybe climate change did this species in — or perhaps it just couldn't compete with the big, carnivorous mammals who later arrived on the scene. What we do know is that Titanoboa was absolutely, positively gigantic.

Although nobody's ever found a complete skeleton, paleontologists have an assortment of Titanoboa fossils to go on, including ribs, backbones and pieces of skull. They paint a striking image of the long-extinct creature.

Judging by the available remains, it seems Titanoboa could have probably weighed over 1.25 tons (over 1.13 metric tons) and surpassed 42 feet (12.8 meters) in length. That would make it the largest known snake of all time.

2. Gigantophis garstini

The reticulated python is currently the largest snake in the world, capable of swallowing a goat whole — and it's still smaller than Gigantophis garstini was. Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images/Dorling Kindersley

This prehistoric snake from about 40 million years ago roamed what's now Northern Africa and is estimated to have reached an epic length of 36 feet (11 meters). During the Eocene epoch, it likely ruled its environment, possibly preying on ancient crocodiles and other large reptiles.

Fossil remains found in Egypt's Fayum region revealed just how gigantic this snake was. Gigantophis garsitini belonged to the now-extinct Madtsoiidae family, and scientists believe it had a broad distribution, hinting at an era when giant reptiles were still top predators on land and in water.

We updated this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

Now That's Brutal

Green anacondas sometimes eat turtles. Instead of constricting these hard-shelled animals, the snakes hold them underwater until they drown.

African rock python (Python sebae). Joe McDonald / Getty Images

Africa's Largest Snake: African Rock Pythons

The African rock python (Python sebae) holds the title as Africa's largest snake, with the capacity to reach lengths of up to 4.8 meters (15.7 feet). This formidable constrictor inhabits a wide range of environments across sub-Saharan Africa, from savannas to rainforests, showcasing its adaptability.

Its mottled, earthy coloration not only provides excellent camouflage amongst the African wilderness but also underscores its raw, natural beauty.

The rock python exhibits remarkable maternal instincts; females aggressively guard their eggs until they hatch, which is unusual among snakes. These pythons have a voracious appetite, able to prey on animals as large as antelopes. And due to their size and strength, they have few natural predators once they reach adulthood.

However, in some local cultures, they are hunted for their skin and meat. With a notorious reputation for being ill-tempered, encounters with humans can be perilous.

Attendees view a replica of the prehistoric Titanoboa, the largest snake to ever live, on display at Grand Central Terminal Mar. 23, 2012 in New York City. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Largest Extinct Snake: Titanoboas

Some 58 million years ago, a gargantuan snake patrolled the rivers of Colombia. Named Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the animal swims those waters no more.

Experts aren't sure why the reptile died out. Maybe climate change did this species in — or perhaps it just couldn't compete with the big, carnivorous mammals who later arrived on the scene. What we do know is that Titanoboa was absolutely, positively gigantic.

Although nobody's ever found a complete skeleton, paleontologists have an assortment of Titanoboa fossils to go on, including ribs, backbones and pieces of skull. They paint a striking image of the long-extinct creature.

Judging by the available remains, it seems Titanoboa could have probably weighed over 1.25 tons (over 1.13 metric tons) and surpassed 42 feet (12.8 meters) in length. That would make it the largest known snake of all time. But needless to say, a lot of things have changed over the past 58 million years.

Today, we share this planet with more than 3,000 recognized snake species. Some catch live bats on the fly; some play dead; a few of them even glide down from treetops like skinny parachuters.

Burmese python (Python bivittatus). Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Prey and Predator: Burmese Pythons

The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is among the giants of the snake world. Native to the marshy regions of Southeast Asia, this species is renowned for its impressive length, which can exceed 5.5 meters (18 feet), and its considerable mass.

Despite their size, these pythons are excellent swimmers and can stay submerged for up to half an hour before surfacing for air. They are also known for their distinctive color pattern, featuring brown blotches bordered in black down the length of their bodies.

Unlike some of their other slithering pals, Burmese pythons are both predators and prey. They are apex predators in their habitat, but their young are often hunted by larger animals. These gentle giants, while nonvenomous, are constrictors, subduing their prey with immense strength before consumption.

What's the Difference Between Boas and Pythons?

Eunectes murinus isn't the only anaconda crawling around these days. There are three other species on record: the yellow anaconda, the dark-spotted anaconda and the Bolivian anaconda.

Adapted for a semiaquatic lifestyle in lush swamps and winding rivers, the four snakes are all native to tropical South America. They're also members of the Boidae family of snakes, which means that anacondas are technically considered boas.

"These are ... Two separate evolutionary lineages of snakes, both containing some species that are small and some that are huge," says Shine. "One intriguing difference is that most boas produce live babies while all pythons lay eggs."

Geography is another point of distinction. While boas generally live in the Western Hemisphere, pythons are Old World natives. By far, the longest snake in that half of the globe is the our lengthy friend, the retic.

This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

Now That's Interesting

Green anacondas sometimes eat turtles. Instead of constricting these hard-shelled animals, the snakes hold them underwater until they drown.

Original article: Biggest Snakes in the World by Length and by Weight

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Giant Prehistoric Titanoboa Snake 'could Return'!

3 April 2012

The prehistoric snake Titanoboa certainly lived up to its 'titan' name when it roamed the Earth 58 million years ago.

It was 14 metres long, weighed more than a tonne and could swallow a crocodile in one go!

The discovery of the Titanoboa fossil at a coal mine in Colombia, South America, has helped reveal quite a bit about the past...

Warmer climate

Titanoboa's size is a sign that the Earth was much warmer than it is now - because snakes rely on heat from outside their bodies to survive.

"We think the Titanoboa became this large because it was much warmer on the equator after the dinosaurs died 60 million years ago," said evolution expert Dr Jonathan Bloch.

This evidence is somewhat reassuring given worries over global warming, as it shows animals and plants can cope in high temperatures. But it doesn't account for the rate of climate change.

Bigger reptiles

Image source, AFP/getty images

Image caption, Titanoboa is thought to be a distant relative of the boa constrictor (above) and anaconda

Experts also think that reptiles were generally much bigger than they are now.

They found turtles the size of a kitchen table and the biggest crocodile fossils ever recorded, in the same place where they discovered the Titanoboa!

"After the extinction of the dinosaurs, this animal, the Titanoboa, was the largest predator on the surface of the planet for at least 10 million years," said Dr Bloch.

A return?

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!"

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