Jakarta –
Snakes are a type of reptile that is classified as carnivorous. Even though they move by slithering, snakes can have long and large bodies, you know.
If you only know that snakes have small, slender bodies and are not too long, then you should read this article. Because according to historical records there are snakes of unusual size. What species of snakes do you think there are?
The Biggest Snake in the World
Quoting from the Live Science page, the following are types of very large snakes with long bodies that live on earth.
1. Titanoboa cerrejonensis
In first place for the largest snake is Titanoboa cerrejonensis. Titanoboa had a body the size of the T-rex dinosaur. This type of snake is not fiction but is real and has roamed the earth.
Titanoboa is estimated to have lived 60 million years ago. The moist forests and rivers of South America are its habitat. This snake is the ancestor of the anaconda and boa that now inhabit the area.
Titanoboa fossil remains were discovered in the early 2000s in Colombia. It is about 13 meters long with a total of 250 vertebrae, and its weight is predicted to reach 1,130 kilograms or 1.1 tonnes.
Until now, no snake species has been found that is bigger and longer than Titanoboa cerrejonensis.
2. Palaeophis colossus
Not only do they live on land, there are also giant snakes that live in sea water, namely Palaeophis colossaeus. This snake lived around 100 million years ago and crossed parts of the North African sea.
Palaeophis fossils were found in the Sahara Desert. However, his head has not been found until now. At that time, researchers collected its skeleton from 1999-2003 and concluded that this sea snake could reach a length of 12 m.
Judging from the fossils, researchers say that the mouth of the Palaeophis snake is quite large and is capable of eating small whales whole.
3. Gigantophis garstini
Again, there is an ancient snake that recorded very large sizes, namely Gigantophis garstini. This snake existed around 40 million years ago with a body length of 7-10 meters. Gigantophis is predicted to be able to coil up prey the size of a tapir and eat it whole.
The skeleton of Gigantophis was discovered in Egypt in 1901. Researchers discovered that this snake was related to another species called Madtsoia which was extinct and whose fossils were found in India.
4. Green Anaconda
The Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus), which is widespread in swamp areas and the Amazon river, can live for a long time, reaching a length of 9-10 m.
Although not as long as the Reticulated Python, the Green Anaconda is the heaviest snake species currently living on earth. Some of these snakes are known to weigh up to 250 kg. With its large body, the anaconda hunts its prey in the form of capybaras, caimans and deer.
In 2016, construction workers in Brazil discovered a Green Anaconda which was estimated to be 10 meters long and weighing 399 kg.
5. Reticulated Python
The Reticulated Python or Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus) is recognized as the longest snake in the world today. In records from 1912, this snake that was caught measured 10 meters.
According to the British Natural History Museum, this snake is usually more than 6.25 m long. The longest reticulated python in captivity ever recorded by Guinness World Records measured 7.7 meters.
Their large size plus temperamental character can have fatal consequences for their prey. In 2018, a woman in Southeast Sulawesi was found still fully clothed in the stomach of this type of python.
6. Snape India
Indian pythons can grow to a length of 6.4 m and weigh almost 100 kg. This type of snake can be found in the forest areas of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. This python is known to be closely related to the Burmese Python.
Indian Pythons have a facial structure called a ‘hot pit’. It is equipped with a sensitive membrane capable of detecting infrared radiation coming from the heat of animals up to 1 meter away.
7. Boa Kuba
The Cuban boa (Chilabothrus angulifer) is the largest snake species in the Caribbean. Its scaly body can reach a length of 5.65 m and weigh more than 30 kg. Some records say that this snake can grow up to 6 meters long.
The Cuban boa snake is unique from other types of snakes in the world, namely its way of hunting in groups. They will work together to target their prey.
8. Piton Burma
The Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) comes from Southeast Asia. When they are small, this species of snake will live in trees. When they grow up, they will come down to the ground.
The recorded size of the Burmese Python is 5.47 meters and lives in captivity. In the wild, this snake usually has a length of more than 4.9 m. In 2022, a Burmese python captured in Florida measured 5.4 meters and weighed 97.5 kg.
9. King Cobra
King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a type of snake that is dangerous and threatens humans. When its hood spreads and its venomous fangs are exposed, one bite is strong enough to kill an elephant.
King Cobra snakes can grow up to 5 meters long. The longest snake of this type ever recorded measured 5.71 m at London Zoo in the 1930s.
Generally, poisonous snakes do not grow very large because of the abilities they possess. However, King Kobra is an exception. It is the longest venomous snake in the world.
10. African Rock Python
The African Rock Python (Python sebae) is the largest snake in Africa. This snake has an average length of 3-5 meters. African Rock Pythons can be found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and are able to live in other habitats such as forests, savannas and deserts.
This snake species can swallow quite large prey such as crocodiles and antelopes. Not infrequently humans can also become prey. The African Rock Python is capable of swallowing large prey thanks to its flexible jaws.
That’s a series of the largest and longest snakes that live on earth. So, stay alert, detikers, if you encounter a snake, whether it’s short, long or small.
Watch the video “Ciamis Residents Catch 3 Meter Python, Allegedly Often Preys on Livestock”
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2024-02-01 22:45:01
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