What Is the Largest Snake That Exists Today?

Each animal species has its own gargantuan representatives. Mammals have whales, elephants, and rhinos. Birds have cassowaries and ostriches. Not to be outdone, the reptile kingdom has crocodiles, alligators, and snakes. While most snakes are not some of the largest reptiles, they definitely are some of the longest, with certain species reaching more than 20 feet in length.

18. Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus)

The Emerald Tree Boa is native to the rainforests of South America. Although intimidating in size (10 feet), these boas are not venomous and prefer to spend their time coiled in trees instead of callously cruising along the ground as they can be vulnerable against predators larger than them.

17. Boelen’s Python (Morelia boeleni)

Boelen’s Python calls the rugged highlands of Papua New Guinea home. This exquisite beast can reach lengths of 12 feet and tip the scales at around 80 pounds on average. A striking characteristic is its stunning iridescent skin, which has given it the popular nickname of “the black python.”

16. Bushmaster (Lachesis muta)

Bushmasters reach up to 12 feet long on average and adults weigh roughly 11 pounds. They live in Central and South America and utilize camouflage to ambush their prey. This species is one of the few venomous snakes that lay eggs rather than giving live birth.

15. Diamond Python (Morelia spilota spilota)

The Diamond Python can reach lengths up to 13 feet and a weight of around 33 pounds. Predominantly found in Australia, it’s easily recognizable by its intricate, diamond-shaped pattern. They are also the most cold-adapted python species in the world, and as pets, they are kept in slightly colder enclosures than other snakes. 

14. Olive Python (Liasis olivaceus)

The Olive Python lives in Australia and can measure an impressive 13 feet and up to 29 pounds in weight. The Olive Python has a distinctive olive green color (hence the name), and is a fantastic swimmer that’s often found near waterways. They can kill prey as large as rock wallabies. 

13. Carpet Python (Morelia spilota)

This snake can stretch up to 13 feet in length. Although it’s fairly lengthy, it’s also relatively lightweight (but not as much as the Black Mamba), tipping the scales at around 33 pounds. Carpet Pythons have unique diamond-patterned skin for seamless blending into their surroundings.

12. Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

The Black Mamba is an African native and holds the title of the second-longest venomous snake in the world. These speedy serpents can reach lengths of up to 14 feet and weigh about 3.5 pounds. One fascinating characteristic is their incredible speed—they can slither away at speeds up to 12 miles per hour!

11. Red Tailed Boa (Boa constrictor)

The Red Tailed Boa is an impressive reptile with an average length of 13 feet and weighing up to 60 pounds. This imposing snake lives in Central and South America. It’s not a picky eater, choosing to hunt anything that comes their way, although they usually prefer spending time in the trees.

10. Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus)

This snake clocks in at an impressive 13 feet and can tip the scales at 110 pounds. Though smaller than its green counterpart, the Yellow Anaconda is highly efficient at climbing, expertly moving through the water, trees, and across the ground with ease.

9. Papuan Python (Apodora papuana)

The Papuan Python lives deep within the forests of Papua, New Guinea, and can reach impressive lengths of 16 feet and weigh around 50 pounds. They have gorgeous iridescent scales, creating an eye-catching glimmer when they move in sunlight. It is a constrictor and does not possess any venom.

8. King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)

The King Cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world. This lethal lord of the reptile kingdom lives in South Asia and can stretch out to 18 feet long, with some specimens claimed to have been even longer. These snakes also show amazing parental care, a rarity among reptiles. 

7. Central African Rock Python (Python sebae)

Holding the title of Africa’s champion is the Central African Rock Python, measuring up to 16.5 feet. This snake inhabits Africa’s subtropical forests and grasslands. It’s also an unrelenting snake when it’s under attack, often defending itself fiercely and sometimes to the death. The Central African Rock Python has a very diverse diet, including birds and antelopes.

6. Burmese Python (Python bivittatus)

The Burmese Python is one of 41 global python species. The biggest recorded specimen, amusingly named ‘Baby’, reached an impressive 18.8 feet and 403 pounds in weight. Among Florida’s inhabitants, the record holder measured 17.7 feet and weighed 215 pounds. These pythons favor aquatic and marshy habitats as they can easily camouflage themselves to surprise unsuspecting prey.

5. Cuban Boa (Chilabothrus angulifer)

The Caribbean is home to over 200 snake species, one of them being the Cuban Boa. This slithering magnate can stretch up to a grand 19 feet long. On top of that, with its remarkable climbing skills, it demonstrates an excellent example of arboreal life – beetling amid the tropical canopy of Cuba’s lavish wilderness.

4. Indian Python (Python molurus)

This colossal creature lives in the South Asian tropics and can reach up to a whopping 21 feet in length. It can also weigh up to 300 pounds. Each snake has unique coloration patterns, often having patches of tan and brown to mimic the forest floor which they inhabit.

3. Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistina)

Amethystine Pythons typically live in Indonesia and Australia. This impressive creature can grow up to 23 feet (though very rarely) and weigh around 33 pounds on average. This snake’s skin has a gorgeous blue-purple sheen when light is reflected off it, which is also how it got its name (resembling amethyst color).

2. Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus)

Hot on the heels of the Green Anaconda is the Reticulated Python. Native to South and Southeast Asia, this reptile can stretch up to an impressive 30 feet in length. Although significantly lighter, averaging around 165 pounds, it remains a formidable predator for any potential prey, even those of similar size. 

1. Green Anaconda (Eunectes Murinus)

The Green Anaconda reigns supreme as the world’s longest and heaviest snake. Native to South America, an average individual can stretch to an astounding 30+ feet in length and tip the scales at 550 pounds. This giant snake species was recently discovered to be two distinct species, not just one, based on a paper published in MDPI Diversity.

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