What Is the World's Biggest Snake?

Snakes are thought to have evolved from lizards, with the first specimens appearing in the fossil record during the Jurassic Period, between 143 and 167 million years ago.

They diversified and modern snakes emerged after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago.

There are now more than 3,000 species of snake on the planet, with 600 of these being venomous.

The World Health Organization estimates that between 80,000 and 138,000 people die from snake bites each year.

According to National Geographic, snakes can be everywhere in the world except in Antarctica, Iceland, Ireland, Greenland, and New Zealand.

The size of snakes varies widely between species, with the smallest measuring just four inches in length. But what of the biggest?

The reticulated pythons  average length is 20 feet, making it the longest snake in the world.

It is native to South and Southeast Asia and can be found in rainforests, woodlands, and nearby grasslands.

The python is a good swimmer and has in some instances been found far out to sea.