MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Re: WHAT HAS BEEN THE LONGEST SNAKE EVER RECORDED.

Date: Thu Jan 21 13:12:15 1999
Posted By: J.M. Wingert , RM(ASM), Staff, Comparative Pathology Department, Baylor College of Medicine
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 916141921.Zo
Message:

   Hello Scott,
  I found a site that deals with Record-Breaking Snakes, go to 
http://www2.excite.sfu.ca/pgm/students/alex_reid/snakes/MAINPAGE.HTM

                       Top Ten Longest Snakes

 #1) Reticulated Python          10.7m(35')
 #2) Green Anaconda               8.5m(28")
 #3) Indian Python                7.6m(25')
 #4) Diamond Python               6.4m(21')
 #5) King Cobra                   5.8m(19')
 #6) Boa Constrictor              4.9m(16')
 #7) Bushmaster                   3.7m(12')
 #8)Giant Brown Snake             3.4m(11')
 #9) Diamondback Rattlesnak        2.7m(9')
 #10) Indigo Snake                 2.4m(8')


Top Ten Most Deadly Land Snakes*

. 
 #1)Taipan almost 100% moratlity without prompt antivenin treatment
 #2)Black Mamba almost 100% moratlity without prompt antivenin treatment
 #3)Tiger Snake Very high mortality without prompt antivenin treatment
 #4)Common Krait Up to 50% mortality with antivenin
 #5)Death Adder 50%+ mortality even with antivenin
 #6)Cape Cobra High Mortality
 #7)King Cobra High Mortality,largest venomous snake, most venom per bite
 #8)Bushmaster Not Available
 #9)Green Mamba Not Available
 #10)Coral Snake Not Available

                        Shortest Snake

-Thread Snake(Leptotyplops bilineata) 41/2", could have crawled through a 
pencil with the
lead removed 

                       Heaviest Snake

-Green Anaconda, about 500lb 

                       Oldest Snake

-Male Boa Constrictor, age 40 years, 3 months, 14 days 

                       Longest Fangs

-Gaboon Viper, 2" fangs 

                       Fastest Snake

-Black Mamba, short bursts of 10-12 MPH 


Here are some more interesting facts on Snakes:

  The Reticulated Python is the longest species of snake in the world, 
which can attain a length of 33 ft. (9.9 meters)! The longest
Reticulated Python in the United States(wild-caught from Thailand and 
exhibited at the Pittsburgh Zoo) was 28 ft. and weighed 'at least 320 
pounds'.
  This python can be found in southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands; 
Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Ceram, Timor, Malay Peninsula and the Philippines. 
The habitat in which it lives are rainforests and woodlands; near streams 
and lakes.The diet consists of mammals, birds and some reptiles. 

The Reticulated Pythons is noted for it's nasty temperament or attitude! 
Most are believed to be wild-caught from Bangkok, Thailand or from central 
Western Malaysia. Today, most wild-caught Reticulated Pythons are taken out 
of their natural habitats in Indonesia, with extreme variations in
temperament! Quick striking, the Retic. can give a slashing bite that can 
sever arteries and tendons.


I hope this answers your question regarding snakes.

June Wingert
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas  





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