7.8 metre monster python spotted

Penang - When the snake was first spotted coiled under a tree in the jungle, it looked big. And then the python uncoiled... and revealed itself to be an absolute monster.

In fact, at 26 feet (7.9 metres) this reticulated python is thought to be the longest snake ever caught. It was found by builders working on a motorway on the island of Penang in Malaysia who called in the civil defence forces. They took 30 minutes to capture the constrictor, which is not normally considered dangerous to humans, then posed holding the 40 stone (254 kilograms) creature.

The record for the longest snake in captivity is held by a 25ft (7.6m) reticulated python, which usually grow to no more than 20ft (6m), although she weighs only 25 st. (around 158kg). Sadly, the one caught in Malaysia died three days later on Sunday after giving birth, so may not be accorded the record for length.

Daily Mail