The python was 26 feet long, and very heavy. (Photo: Malaysia’s Civil Defence Force)
The construction workers found the python curled up under a tree, and they did what most of us would do in that situation: they called someone else to come deal with it. The Malaysian civil defense force was up for the task, though, and when, after 30 minutes, they captured the python, they found that it was so big—so long—that it could be the largest snake ever captured.
The snake is a reticulated python, one of the largest snake species in the world. This one weighed in at around 550 pounds, and measured 26 feet. The current world-record snake in captivity is almost as long (25 feet), but weighs a relatively light 350 pounds.
There have been reports of snakes as large or even larger than this one: Cornell University, for instance, is in possession of the skeleton of a snake that, in life, would have stretched about 26 feet long. In the days when European explorers had fewer people to check their work, they also told stories of giant, giant snakes. But, so far, no one has ever captured a snake longer than 30 feet.
The snakes that grow the largest are usually females, so it’s a good bet this new captive is a lady snake. She’s still in the hands of the civil defense forces but, the Telegraph reports, will go to a government wildlife organization, who will find her a more permanent home.
Bonus finds: The oldest World War II Enigma machine still in existence
Every day, we highlight one newly found object, curiosity or wonder. Discover something amazing? Tell us about it! Send your finds to sarah.laskow@atlasobscura.com.