SAEDNEWS: The rock python is a species of snake that inhabits Africa and can grow up to 5 meters in length.
Snakes, with their bizarre patterns, lightning-fast strikes—sometimes faster than fighter jets during acceleration—and even gliding abilities, are a fascinating group of reptiles. Some of them deserve special attention for one standout feature: their immense size.
From boa constrictors to reticulated pythons, our planet is teeming with snakes in a wide array of colors and patterns. These predators can be found across the globe, including Southeast Asia, South America, and the United States. But just how big are the largest snakes in the world? And which extinct snakes hold records in history?
Accurately measuring them can be challenging, especially for species that have long since disappeared. Patrick Campbell, senior curator of the reptile collection at the Natural History Museum in London, told Live Science, “Verifying historical records can be difficult, and snake skins can be stretched without obvious distortion, which can lead to overestimates.”
Nevertheless, there are documented accounts of giant snakes from around the world. Below are some examples of these massive reptiles.
The Central African rock python is the largest snake in Africa, reaching lengths of up to 5 meters. According to the Oregon Zoo, the African rock python (Python sebae) is highly adaptable and occurs throughout sub-Saharan Africa, thriving in savannas, forests, and even deserts. The Animal Diversity Web reports that these pythons average 3 to 5 meters in length. Like Burmese pythons, Central African rock pythons can swallow sizable prey, including mountain goats and crocodiles—and occasionally, humans.
