World’s Longest Snake Captured, Promptly Dies

World’s Longest Snake Captured, Promptly Dies

Late last week, an absolutely enormous python was found caught under a tree that had fallen near a Malaysian construction site. Its length has been pegged at 8m, which, if verified, would make it the longest snake ever captured.

The snake, a reticulated python, was spotted from the air during a flyover in Paya Terubong, a district of Penang. Malaysia’s civil defence force was called in to deal with it (yes, really), and it took them a half hour to trap it. Sadly, it died on Sunday after giving birth, three days after it was captured. Or at least that’s the story we’re being given.

World’s Longest Snake Captured, Promptly Dies
Members of Malaysia’s civil defence force pose with the python. Image: Herme Herisyam, Malaysia’s Civil Defence Force

Members of Malaysia’s civil defence force pose with the python. Image: Herme Herisyam, Malaysia’s Civil Defence Force

A member of the defence force told The Guardian that the python measures 8m, which would be a world record. Currently, Guinness Records recognises the longest snake ever in captivity as Medusa, another reticulated python, which currently lives in Missouri. This behemoth measures 7.67m and weighs 158.8kg. That’s over 90kg lighter than the new Malaysian specimen.

It’s possible that larger snakes live in the wild. Back in 1912, a 10m-long python was reportedly discovered in Indonesia.

[Guardian, BBC]

Top: Construction workers and members of Malaysia’s civil defence force pose with the python. Image: Herme Herisyam, Malaysia’s Civil Defence Force


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