Top 10 Largest Snakes in the World (Length and Weight)

The queen of the Amazon. Although not the very longest, they are by far the most massive. They live mainly in the water in South America. National Geographic describes how their huge muscle mass lets them constrict prey as big as caimans, capybaras and even jaguars and swallow them whole.

This snake from Southeast Asia is the longest in the world. It has a beautiful pattern resembling a fishing net (hence the name). They are slimmer than the anaconda but can reach lengths of more than 7 meters. They are notorious for their aggressive temperament and are – in rare cases – capable of eating humans. The longest snake ever measured was a reticulated python named Medusa.

This snake is originally from Asia, but has become notorious as an invasive species in Florida (USA). People released their pets into the swamps of the Everglades, where they are now at the top of the food chain. They easily grow 5 meters long and eat everything they come across, including alligators.

The largest snake in Africa. They are generally a bit shorter than their Asian cousins, but are known to be extremely bad-tempered and fierce. They regularly kill antelopes and young crocodiles. Unfortunately, several incidents are known in which these snakes posed a danger to people in remote villages.

This is the only venomous snake on this list, and also the longest venomous snake in the world. They can grow almost 6 meters long. What makes them so terrifying is that they can raise their upper body up to a meter high and look you straight in the eye. Their scientific name means 'snake eater'; they hunt other snakes.

The largest snake in Australia and Papua New Guinea, also called the 'Scrub Python'. Although not as heavy as anacondas, they can reach lengths of 5 to 8 meters. The Australian Museum reports that they are often seen sunbathing on the roofs of houses or trying to snatch pets in the suburbs of Queensland.

This snake is often confused with the Burmese python, but is a bit lighter in color and generally stays slightly smaller (around 4 to 5 meters). It is a protected species in India. Unlike the rock python, they are often quite calm by nature, which makes them popular with snake charmers.

A lesser-known giant from New Guinea. The Papuan python (Apodora papuana) is known for its ability to change color (from olive green to mustard yellow). They can grow more than 4 meters long. It is a very intelligent snake that is known in the reptile trade as surprisingly gentle, despite its imposing size.

Perhaps the most famous constrictor. They are found in Central and South America. Although films often portray them as gigantic monsters, in reality they rarely grow longer than 4 meters. They are extremely heavy and strongly built. Their beautiful tail pattern (red-tailed boa) makes them both loved and feared.

The smaller sister of the green anaconda. They live in the wetlands of Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil. They usually grow about 3 to 4 meters long. What they lack in size they make up for in fierceness; they are known to be bitey and are harder to handle than their larger relatives.