What is the Biggest Snake?

Many exotic pets enthusiast ask themselves what is the biggest snake? There are many answers, however, one can only be confirmed as truthful. The anaconda is the world largest known snake. Made famous and highly addicted by some of Hollywood films, most people have heard about this incredible snake but not many know much about the truth regarding these magnificent creature.

The biggest anaconda found was over thirty seven feet long! Consider that the average American full size car is approximately sixteen feet in length, you could put two cars in a row and still not reach the size of this particular snake! What is even more amazing about this fact is that anacondas are not generally seen and there very well may be others alive that surpass this record.

Because anacondas are easily camouflaged, they are not seen en masse so rumors of this snake run rampant. There have been reports of anacondas anywhere from fifty to one hundred feet in length. While it is quite possible that this can occur there is no recorded evidence of any snake reaching those dimensions.

The massive size of anacondas tends to lead people to exaggerate their length simply due to incorrect depth perception. These snakes usually hide in the water when moving and this can greatly skew their perceived size. Unfortunately, unless a snake is captured or killed there is no accurate way to measure them. The margin of error when it comes to estimating these snakes size is far from being accurate.

Another reason the size of the snake can be exaggerated somewhat is because of the elasticity of their hide. Because the skin stretches so easily, when found either from shedding or on a dead snake it can seem like the snake was actually longer than it was. It is undisputed that anacondas are extremely large snakes and it is generally accepted that they are the largest of all snakes.

However, do know that giant anacondas though believed to exist are extremely rare. But what, exactly, constitutes a giant anaconda when these uncommon snakes are commonly seen at lengths up to seventeen feet? The reported case of the biggest anaconda found was approximately thirty seven and one half feet long.

However, even though there were measurements taken at the time it was found in 1944, pictures were not taken and the snake was not skinned in order to preserve the record. This leaves some to disbelieve the account and completely discount its accuracy. Scientist Vincent Roth claims to have killed a thirty four foot anaconda. Unfortunately, no concrete evidence of this claim exists either. There are other reported cases, some from reputable sources but still their validity is in doubt.

Regardless of which account is believed, there is only one concrete study in recent years that can be proven. The seventeen foot anaconda was captured, measured and recorded during a study in Brazil of these snakes.

However, there are so many reported incidents of much larger anacondas that even the most skeptical of scientists believe the biggest anaconda found would exceed this measurement significantly. Seventeen feet in length is a certainty.

Many people believe the validity of thirty seven feet as the largest anaconda found. Reported cases of anacondas exceeding one hundred feet are generally met with skepticism but this is not to say it is not possible. Only time will tell whether or not the anaconda record can be beaten and proven.

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