Python Reticulatus or the reticulated python (the epithet originates from the intricate geometrical crisscross patterns on their hide) is the longest snake species in the world, with a length ranging from 15 to 25 feet. They are non-venomous giant snakes, who kill their prey by constriction. These pythons are excellent swimmers and are known to travel far and wide in search of prey. In the process, they have extended their dominion over many islands in southeast Asia. They prefer a tropical environment, with temperatures in the range of 80 to 90 degree Fahrenheit. They feed on mammals and even birds at times. There have been reports of reticulated pythons eating cats, dogs and huge pigs. Their technique of catching a prey is ambushing and killing by constriction. A set of 100 sharp teeth helps then get an iron grip over their prey. In a matter of a few minutes, pythons can kill their prey and swallow their quarry entirely. The entire meat and bone of the animal is slowly dissolved by potent digestive juices like hydrochloric acid in a few days. Its natural habitat is grasslands, swamps, rivers, woodlands and seas. They are mostly found in the rain forests of southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Philippines. In the wild, their lifespan can be 23 years on average. They are night hunters and usually become active at dusk. Though instances are rare, reticulated pythons have been known to attack and injure humans, even causing death in some cases. As mentioned earlier, Medusa - the captive female python located in Kansas City, Missouri is the longest snake in the world. It normally takes 15 people to just hold her up. From a 24 inch baby python, to a 25 feet giant, Medusa has grown at a phenomenal rate in 8 years. She survives on a daily diet of 40 lb meat which consists of rabbits, pigs and rodents. Medusa is all set to be included in the Guinness World records (2013) soon, as the longest snake in captivity. This position was formerly held by another reticulated python - Fluffy, from Columbus, Ohio, who was 24 feet long and weighed about 300 pounds. The 18-year old record-holding python died in 2010, relinquishing the crown to Medusa. There have been unsubstantiated reports of more than 30 feet long reticulated pythons found in the wild.

If you go by weight and thickness, the Green Anaconda (Eunectes Murinus) found in South America is undoubtedly the biggest snake in the world. The Anacondas belong to the Boa family of snakes and have no rivals except humans, in the Amazonian rain forests, which they inhabit. They are the kings and top predators of their habitat, who prey upon just about anything they set their sights on. After a big meal, they can go for weeks without feeding on anything. Swamps and marshlands in rain forests are their preferred abode. In South America, they are found in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia, which all lie towards the east of the Andes mountains. They can grow to more than 22 feet in length and their weight can reach up to 550 pounds (227 Kg) or more. Due to their weight and thickness (12 inches on average), anacondas spend maximum amount of their time in water. In the wild, they have an average lifespan of 10 years. Their preys are fish, mammals, reptiles and practically any living creature they can overpower and subdue. They have been known to eat deer and caimans. Claims of more than 30 feet long anacondas abound in South America, but there has been no conclusive evidence proving their existence.

In February, 2009, scientists discovered the fossilized remains of a prehistoric snake, as long as a bus, that lived in the north-eastern part of Colombia, about 60 million years ago. This prehistoric beast found in a coal mine excavation, was a record 42 to 45 feet long and weighed over 2500 lb (1,140 kg). This makes it as long as the Tyrannosaurus Rex. It has been named as Titanoboa Cerrejonensis (Titanic boa from Cerrejón) as it is a prehistoric ancestor of the Boa Constrictor. In its heydays, it was unarguably the King of Snakes. The primordial beast could easily consume a cow and most probably feasted on the distant ancestors of crocodiles.