2011 July 29

Jul 29, 2011 -

Which is the longest snake in the world?

The reticulated pythons are the world’s longest snakes.
Adult male reticulated pythons can grow up to 10 metres long and can weigh more than 180kg. They live in the woods and rain forests of Southeast Asia and are good swimmers. The skin of a reticulated python is mostly grey or light brown.
Reticulated pythons hunt for food at night and wait quietly in trees for their prey to come by. They will flick their tongues in and out when sensing an animal is near. They will then sneaks quietly behind and bite them with its sharp and curved teeth. Following that, the python wraps itself around the animal and squeeze it hard until the animal can’t breathe and dies.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the longest snake ever kept in captivity is a reticulated python which measured 7.3 metres.
Other long snakes are the green anaconda which measures up to 9 metres long and the African rock python which is 7.6 metres long.

Sources:

www.guinessworldrecords.com (Last Accessed: 29th July 2011)

www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/snakes/reticulatus.htm (Last Accessed: 29th July 2011)

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Posted by Aslin Harminah, Children’s Librarian