How big do Pythons and Boas Really Get?

The actual maximum size of the large constrictors has been a debate for a long time. There are many conflicting accounts on the size of pythons and boas. It was not uncommon for naturalists to claim to have found Pythons and Boas measuring over 20 meters in length. These sizes were reported mostly by 19th century explorers whose expeditions would be incomplete without tales of monstrous snakes. These snakes were killed and due to there size could not be preserved to confirm the claims of their discoverers. The size of a python or boa can be over estimated due to the girth of the snake. Assumptions can be made that because the snake has a large girth that it must be very long, this is often not the case as the snake may be gravid or has just fed. The lack of preserved specimens and accurate eyewitness accounts point to the fact that these snakes were not the length that was reported. The last of these huge python discovery stories stopped around fifty years ago, whether this is because of more accurate measuring techniques, more humble naturalists or extermination by humans is unknown. In captivity snakes grow longer and quicker as they are kept at optimal temperatures all year round and are fed large weekly meals. If a record size snake is found it will most likely be in captivity somewhere, as snakes in the wild would probably be killed before they can reach the 9 meter plus length. I have made a list of the six biggest pythons and boas that formed the basis of the stories of the monster serpents. I have given the most accurate and commonly accepted lengths.

List of the big six and maximum length thereof

Green Anaconda
There has been a report of a Green Anaconda reaching 18.9m long, this snake was shot by a British colonel in Brazil in 1907. This snake would have been unable to support its own weight on land and therefore its reported length was not accurate. The most realistic reports of the Green Anacondas length are just over 10m.

Reticulated Python
There are far more accurate reports of the size of the Reticulated Python. There are reports of Reticulated Pythons reaching a length of around 8.5m these are quit accurate and a live specimen of this size was in the possession of an animal dealer in 1905. Another specimen that grew to 7.6m in length and was displayed at the National Zoo in Washington and was the largest snake ever to be on display at this zoo.

Burmese Python
There are reliable records of this snake approaching 6m. There is a Burmese Python measuring 5.84m housed in the collection of the Bombay Natural History Society which was shot as well as two specimens of 5.8m which were shot in Sri Lanka. There are less reliable reports of this snake reaching 7.6m.

The African Python

This snake is the only large python in Africa and the largest snake on the continent. The Largest size that has been reported for this snake is 7.6m. It was rare forty to fifty years ago to see a specimen of over 6m let alone today. The average length of an adult is regarded to be 4.6-4.9m. The taxonomical status of this species has changed since these records were made. The species we have in South Africa has now been renamed the Southern African Python.

The Amethystine Python

This is the largest python in Australia and a relative of the Carpet Python. Adults average 3-3.7m or less. However there have been reports of this snake reaching much larger sizes. There have been reports of a specimen of 8.5m and one of 7.2m. This Python is not a heavily built snake and is slender in comparison with the other giant pythons. This snake is rarely available for sale in the pet trade and I have not seen one of these pythons for sale or in a snake park. Please tell me if you know of a snake park or zoo that has this snake on display as I would really like to see one.

The Common Boa

The Common Boa is not regarded as the largest species of snake on the planet. Even though, many uneducated people think of huge man eating snake at the mere mention of the word boa constrictor. The largest recorded size for a boa constrictor was 5.64m this specimen was shot by a malaria control work party in Trinidad during the Second World War. These snakes remains were not preserved to allow for further study. This record has been dismissed as the snake was probably an anaconda as it was found in a habitat that is unsuitable for boa constrictors. The accepted maximum recorded size for this snake is 4.5m. Most boa constrictors reach around 3m.

Bibliography: The Encyclopedia of Snakes by Chris Mattison