� Giant python on display
Dec. 31: A python believed to be the largest ever kept in captivity, is put on display in Kendal, in central Java, in Indonesia.
MSNBC


49-foot python captured in Indonesia
983-lb creature believed to be world's largest
The Associated Press
Updated: 1:23 p.m. ET Dec. 31, 2003JAKARTA, Indonesia - Indonesian villagers claim to have captured a python that is almost 49 feet long and weighs nearly 990 pounds, a local official said.



If confirmed, it would be the largest snake ever kept in captivity.

Hundreds of people have flocked to see the snake at a primitive zoo in Curugsewu village on the country�s main island of Java.

Local government official Rachmat said the reticulated python measured 48 feet 8 inches and weighed in at 983 pounds.

The Guinness Book of World Records lists the longest ever captured snake to be 32 feet. The heaviest � a Burmese Python kept in Gurnee, Ill. � weighs 402 pounds, the book said on its Web site.

The Indonesian newspaper Republika said the snake, which was caught last year but only recently put on public display, eats three or four dogs a month.

Reticulated pythons are the world�s longest snakes. They are capable of eating animals as large as sheep, and have been known to attack and consume humans.

The species is native to the swamps and jungles of Southeast Asia.



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� 2003 The Associated Press.

Look in the Natural World Forum.

Jeeze,if it is true ,it would be good to see. It would have to be pretty wide as well for that length.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Indonesian villagers claim to have captured a python that is almost 49 feet long and weighs nearly 990 pounds, a local official said.

If confirmed, it would be the largest snake ever kept in captivity.

Hundreds of people have flocked to see the snake at a primitive zoo in Curugsewu village on the country's main island of Java.

Local government official Rachmat said the reticulated python measured 48 feet 8 inches and weighed in at 983 pounds.

The Guinness Book of World Records lists the longest ever captured snake to be 32 feet. The heaviest - a Burmese Python kept in Gurnee, Ill. - weighs 402 pounds, the book said on its Web site.




The Indonesian newspaper Republika said the snake, which was caught last year but only recently put on public display, eats three or four dogs a month.

Reticulated pythons are the world's longest snakes. They are capable of eating animals as large as sheep, and have been known to attack and consume humans.

The species is native to the swamps and jungles of Southeast Asia.

Fifty feet long? I don't think so, folks.

I've been hearing about this snake for a while now through herpetological associates and it seems that credible analysts have been discouraged from immediate contact with the animal.

Viewing the photography and the spacial comparisons, the snake is nowhere near the fifty foot mark. If it were, the head would be dramatically larger than demonstrated.

It may well be a 30-35 foot specimen which is incredible in itself.

I suspect we shall soon see a proper examination by a credible researcher and reality shall be established.

As an aside, the heavyweight record python referred to is an example of the Burmese python, captive bred and raised. As reptiles never truly stop growing, this snake has achieved a size not possible in the wild. 'Baby', as it is named, is also incredibly overweight. As interesting as she is, it must be remembered that the snake represents aberrant maturation size.

Regards,

Just saw the snake on the local news. They don't show it length wise but is obviously a huge snake. There was a hapless live dog in the cage with it waiting for the snake to get hungry.

Holmes

One of the difficulties I have with 50 foot is that if all else is equal it should weigh 8 times what a 25 footer weighs.

I agree with you on the size of the snake and its surroundings.

Mike

I saw the snake on TV yesterday. It was longer than 30 ft. for sure, but don't know about 50. It looked awful skinny.