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 50 pounds (23 kg). Pending the acceptance of its 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.
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In terms of length, in addition to those listed here, there are two other species that may possibly reach a length of 20 feet (6.1 m) or more – the Oenpelli python (Morelia oenpelliensis) and the olive python (Liasis olivaceus) – however, the information available about those species is rather limited. The Oenpelli python, in particular, has been called the rarest python in the world.
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. 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, later raised to $5,000, then $15,000 in 1978 and $50,000 in 1980) for a live, healthy snake over 30 ft (9.1 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.
Although it is generally accepted that the reticulated python is the world's longest living snake, most length estimates longer than 6.35 m (20 ft 10 in) have been called into question. 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).
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.
| Rank | Common name | Scientific name | Family | Mass | Image | Length | Native range by continent(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green anaconda | Eunectes murinus | Boidae | May exceed 227 kg (500 lb),validity questionable 97.5 kg (215 lb), reliable, maximum among 780 specimens caught over a seven-year period 1992–98 Average 30.8 kg (68 lb) among 45 specimens (1992–98) Generally considered the heaviest |
 |
May exceed 8.8 m (29 ft), not firmly verified 5.6 m (18 ft), somewhat reliable 5.21 m (17.1 ft), reliable, maximum among 780 specimens caught over a seven-year period 1992–98 Average 3.7 m (12 ft) among 45 specimens (1992–98) Minimum adult length 3.2 m (10 ft) Generally considered the second longest |
South America |
| 2 | Burmese python | Python bivittatus | Pythonidae | 182.8 kg (403 lb), reliable, for "Baby" in 1998 |  |
5.74 m (18.8 ft), reliable, for "Baby" ca. 1999 Minimum adult length 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
Asia |
| 3 | Reticulated python | Python reticulatus | Pythonidae | Up to 158 kg (350 lb), somewhat reliable 158.8 kg (350 lb), somewhat reliable, for "Medusa" in 2011 Almost 160 kg (350 lb), somewhat reliable, for "Twinkie" in 2014 136 kg (300 lb), somewhat reliable, for "Fluffy" in 2010 133.7 kg (295 lb), reasonably reliable, for "Colossus" in 1954 (with an empty stomach) 124.7 kg (275 lb), somewhat reliable, for "Samantha" in 2002 59 kg (130 lb), reliable, wild specimen in 1999 (after not eating for nearly 3 months) |
 |
10 m (33 ft),not firmly verified 7.9 m (26 ft), somewhat reliable, for "Samantha" in 2002 7.67 m (25.2 ft), somewhat reliable, for "Medusa" in 2011 7.3 m (24 ft), somewhat reliable, for "Fluffy" in 2010 6.95 m (22.8 ft), reliable, wild specimen in 1999 6.35 m (20.8 ft), reasonably reliable, for "Colossus" in 1963 (skeletal length) Minimum adult length 3.04 m (10.0 ft) Generally considered the world's longest |
Asia |
| 4 | African rock python | Python sebae (sometimes considered two species, P. sebae and P. natalensis) |
Pythonidae | Up to 113 kg (250 lb), not firmly verified |  |
Up to 7.5 m (25 ft), not firmly verified Minimum adult length 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
Africa |
| 5 | Indian python | Python molurus | Pythonidae | 91 kg (200 lb), not firmly verified 52 kg (115 lb), reliable |
 |
6.4 m (21 ft), not firmly verified 4.6 m (15.1 ft), reliable |
Asia |
| 6 | Amethystine (scrub) python | Morelia amethistina | Pythonidae | 91 kg (200 lb)[citation needed] Little information about size is available |
 |
Some reports up to or exceeding 8 m (26 ft), not firmly verified 7.2 m (24 ft), somewhat reliable In excess of 6 m (20 ft) Typically 3.5 m (11 ft) Minimum adult length 1.8 m (5.9 ft) Little information about size is available |
Asia, Australia |
| 7 | Boa constrictor | Boa constrictor | Boidae | More than 45 kg (99 lb) | .jpg) |
Possibly up to 4.3 m (14 ft) A much larger report was debunked |
North America, South America |
| 8 | Yellow anaconda | Eunectes notaeus | Boidae | 40 kg (88 lb) Typically 30 kg (66 lb) |
 |
4.6 m (15.1 ft), reasonably reliable Typically 3–4 m (10–13 ft) 3.1 m (10 ft) maximum among 86 specimens in a field study |
South America |
| 9 | Dark-spotted anaconda | Eunectes deschauenseei | Boidae | 30 kg (66 lb)[citation needed] | 3 m (9.8 ft),validity unknown | South America | |
| 10 | Papuan python | Apodora papuana | Pythonidae | 22.5 kg (50 lb) Little information about size is available |
 |
One reasonably reliable report of 4.39 m (14.4 ft) Often reaches 3–4 m (9.8–13.1 ft) Most specimens 1.4–3.6 m (4.6–11.8 ft) Little information about size is available PHOTO CREDIT BY GOOGLE |
Asia, Australia (Oceania |
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