The giant snakes in the World are so big, and they’re almost more like constrictors than actual snakes.
Many of these enormous serpents live in tropical climates and can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
All have enough power to take down animals several times their size, including humans (though this would be very rare), and most of them can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds.
Here are 16 of the largest snakes in the World, with all the information you need to know them.
1. Papuan python
The Papuan python is a member of the Pythonidae family, which contains some of the largest snakes in the World.
The species is found in New Guinea and parts of Indonesia. These massive snakes can grow to 20 feet or longer and weigh over 200 pounds.
Papuan pythons are not venomous but potent constrictors that can kill prey by squeezing it to death. These snakes are not considered dangerous to humans but should be treated cautiously and respectfully.
2. Green anaconda
The green anaconda is one of the largest snakes in the World, measuring up to 30 feet long and weighing up to 550 pounds.
These massive serpents are found in South America, where they spend most of their time in swamps and rivers. Green anacondas are not venomous, but they are formidable predators nonetheless.
When hunting, they will constrict their prey until it suffocates, then swallow it whole. Thankfully, green anacondas are not aggressive towards humans, and attacks are rare. They also have relatively small teeth, so you must provoke a green anaconda before it decides to eat you.
Anyone who finds themselves face-to-face with a hungry snake, these things can’t smell very well or hear very well either. So, if you want to avoid being eaten by a green anaconda, don’t make any sudden movements!
3. Reticulated Python
The reticulated python (Python reticulatus) is a Southeast Asian species. They are the World’s longest snakes and most giant reptiles, with some individuals exceeding 30 feet (9 meters) in length. These Largest Snakes in the World are not venomous but can kill their prey by constriction.
They are hunted for their skin, used to make clothing and other items, and for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some cultures. Pythons can be aggressive when cornered or threatened; these animals have killed people.
They inhabit jungle regions and floodplains, living among boulders or trees. Although typically docile toward humans, reticulated pythons have attacked humans when disturbed or provoked.
4. Bushmaster
The bushmaster is a giant, venomous snake found throughout the tropical regions of Central and South America and is among the World’s most giant snakes. It is the largest member of the viper family, with some specimens reaching up to 13 feet in length.
The bushmaster’s venom is highly potent and is considered one of the most dangerous Largest Snakes in the World.
Thankfully, antivenom is available for treatment if you can receive medical attention in time. In addition, the species has recently been assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to their low numbers and heavy hunting by humans.
5. Giant Anaconda
The giant anaconda is one of the world’s largest snakes. It can grow over 30 feet long and weigh over 500 pounds.
These Largest Snakes in the World are found in South America, where they hunt for prey such as caiman, deer, and jaguars. Despite their size, giant anacondas are good swimmers and can climb trees.
6. Australian Scrub Python
The Australian scrub python is one of the largest snakes in the World, with individuals reaching lengths of 20 feet. Scrub pythons are ambush predators, waiting for their prey to come within striking distance. Once they strike, they constrict their prey, suffocating it before swallowing it.
7. Reticulated Python
The reticulated python is one of the World’s most giant snakes. It can grow over 30 feet long and weigh over 200 pounds. These massive snakes are found in Southeast Asia and Indonesia.
They are excellent swimmers and climbers and have been known to kill humans. The enormous reticulated python ever found was 25 feet long and weighed 350 pounds.
Despite their size, these snakes are generally non-aggressive towards humans, except during mating season when males may attack anything that invades their territory.
At other times, they avoid confrontation and rely on camouflage to hide from predators. Their prey includes everything from rats to pigs to buffalo.
These snakes have been known to eat smaller pythons as well! Reticulated pythons typically give birth to 20 or more live young after a gestation period of several months.
8. King Cobra
The king cobra is the longest venomous snake in the World, exceeding 18 feet. These snakes are found in tropical forests throughout Southeast Asia. King cobras are apex predators, preying on rodents, lizards, and other snakes.
9. Rhinoceros Viper
The rhinoceros viper is a venomous snake found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of the largest snakes in the World, with some specimens reaching up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in length. The rhinoceros viper is considered one of Africa’s most dangerous snakes due to its aggressive nature and potent venom.
10. Indian Cobra
The Indian cobra is a highly venomous snake found in the Indian subcontinent. It is also known as the spectacled cobra, Asiatic cobra, or binucleate cobra. It grows to an average length of 1.5 to 2 meters (4.9 to 6.6 ft) and lasts 20 years.
The Indian cobra is a member of the big four and is responsible for most human fatalities in India due to snakebites. The other three members of the big four are the common krait, Russell’s viper, and saw-scaled viper.
11. Green Tree Python
The Green Tree Python is a beautiful snake found in the rainforests of New Guinea, Indonesia, and Australia. These snakes can grow from 6 to 9 feet long, with the females typically more significant than the males.
Green Tree Pythons are non-venomous and kill their prey by constriction. These snakes are popular pets among snake enthusiasts due to their docile nature and stunning appearance.
12. Black Mamba
The black mamba is a large and highly venomous snake native to parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Growing to an average length of 2.5 to 3.2 m (8.2 to 10.5 ft).
It is the longest venomous snake in Africa and the second longest venomous snake in the World, after the king cobra, and also one of the largest snakes in the World.
The black mamba is very aggressive and will often attack without provocation. Its reputation is dangerous because its bite can cause rapid paralysis and death. However, with prompt medical treatment, including antivenom, fatalities are rare.
Black mambas live mostly in savannahs, grasslands, rocky hillsides, and mountains that offer patches of dense vegetation or scrubby trees to hide within, and they are known as one of the largest snakes in the World. They hunt by waiting patiently at the top of tall plants until prey comes along.
Although they do not usually strike as the target passes below them, they may also pursue their target over short distances. Black mambas eat mostly other snakes (including poisonous ones) and small mammals such as rodents or rabbits.
13. Boa Constrictor
The boa constrictor is a giant snake in tropical South and Central America. Adults can grow 12-13 feet and weigh up to 30 pounds. These largest Snakes in the World are not venomous but powerful constrictors.
They are popular pets but can be dangerous if not handled properly. When threatened, the boa will rise and stand tall with its head held high, hissing loudly.
If this doesn’t scare off the threat, it will coil around its opponent, squeezing tight until its victim stops struggling.
14. Burmese Python
The Burmese python is one of the five largest snakes in the World. It is native to many Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and parts of China and India.
The Burmese python is a famous pet snake due to its docile nature, but it can grow quite large, sometimes reaching lengths of over 20 feet!
The snake is semi-aquatic and often found near water sources. In the wild, they typically eat mammals such as rodents or birds. These snakes are not venomous; they use their size to constrict prey to death.
These pythons usually tan when young and have dark brown blotches down the back. As they mature, they become more solid brown or olive green with darker patterns along the sides that sometimes become jagged lines.
The Burmese Python is a massive snake native to Southeast Asia. These snakes can grow up to 18 feet long and weigh up to 200 pounds! Burmese Pythons are non-venomous and kill their prey by constriction.
15. Tiger Snake
The tiger snake is a venomous snake found in southern Australia, Tasmania, and some small offshore islands.
It is a giant snake, with adults reaching an average length of 1.6 m (5.2 ft), though some specimens may grow to 2.1 m (6.9 ft).
The tiger snake is highly variable in color and pattern but typically has dark bands on a light brown or olive-green background.
The belly is usually white or cream-colored, sometimes with black spots. Tiger snakes are among the most common snakes seen by humans in rural areas of New South Wales.
They have long been associated with fatalities due to their potent neurotoxic venom, which can cause death within hours if untreated.
16. African Rock Python
The African rock python is a giant snake found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is among the largest snakes in the World, reaching up to 20 feet (6.1 m) in length and 200 pounds (91 kg).
The African rock python is not venomous but can kill humans and large animals by constriction.
The snake is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. The African rock python preys on mammals, including rodents, reptiles, birds, and mammals up to the size of antelope.
