11. Papauan Python: 25-50 pounds
The Papauan python or olive python is one of the python species that can be found in New Guinea. Pythons in general are one of the thickest snakes in the world with anacondas getting to be just a tad bigger. One interesting feature of the olive python is that it can change colors when it gets agitated, similar to chameleons. The largest olive pythons tip the scales at 50 pounds and can get to be 5-6 feet long.
10. Cuban Boa: 25-60 pounds
The Cuban boa constrictor is listed as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN and can only be found on the island of Cuba. It is the largest snake in Cuba with some getting to be 60 pounds. They have a tan base color with dark brown markings along their back. The average size is 5-7 feet but some have been recorded to be nearly 16 feet long.
9. Dark-Spotted Anaconda: 25-66 pounds
8. Boa Constrictor: 7-10 feet, 22-100 pounds
Boa constrictors are known for capturing prey and wrapping their body around it to constrict the prey so it dies. Then they swallow their prey whole. Sounds scary to me but some people have Boa’s as pets. They are definitely one of the thickest snakes in the world, as they average 7-10 feet but can pack up to 100 pounds into that length. They live in Central and South America (and in some people’s basements as pets!).
7. Yellow Anaconda: 10-13 feet, 55-77 pounds
Another big anaconda is the yellow anaconda, which averages 55-77 pounds but the largest ones have weighed in at 120 pounds. These snakes can be 10-13 feet long. Are they actually yellow? Kind of, their bellies are yellowish-green with their backs being darker. They look similar in coloration as their thicker cousin the green anaconda. They are excellent swimmers and will often drown constrict and then drown their prey. Yellow anacondas live in South America.
6. Amethystine (Scrub) Python: 60-110 pounds
The amethystine (or scrub) python is the largest snake in Australia. They also live in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Theses pythons are non-venomous and are a thick snake that ranges from 60-110 pounds. They typically do not get longer than 13 feet with an average being 6-13 feet long. One scrub python that was found in the Rainforestation Nature Park Kuranda in Queensland Australia can be seen being held by 4 men. They estimated it weighed 50 kg (110 pounds) and they rightfully nicknamed him “Srubby” before letting him go.
5. Indian Python: 8-10 feet long, 150-200 pounds
Indian pythons can be found in India and Southeast Asia. A study in Keoladeo National Park found that 25% of the Indian pythons were in the 8 feet 10 inches -10 feet 10 inches range. The two biggest ones they found were 11 feet 10 inches. These snakes, that look similar to Burmese pythons, can get to be 150-200 pounds!
4. African rock python: 95-200 pounds
The African rock python is the largest python in Africa and can reach lengths of nearly 20 feet however most are closer to 10-13 feet. They are found in the sub-Saharan Africa with the ones in more secluded areas being a bit larger. Their bodies are varied in coloration with a base color of tan with mixed dark markings. Look for their triangular head with a pointed snout to tell them apart from other larger snakes.
3. Reticulated Python: 250-350 pounds, 33.5 inch girth
The reticulated python is the longest snake in the world. It is also a thick snake with a maximum girth of 33.5 inches! According to the Guinness Book of World Records the longest snake ever recorded was a reticulated python from Indonesia that was 32 feet 9.2 inches long. The average length of these pythons is 20 feet and they can weigh 250-350 pounds. They live in Southeast and South Asia.
2. Burmese Python: 100-200 pounds, 43.5 inch girth
The Burmese python is the second thickest snake in the world with a girth of 43.5 inches, commonly referred to as the thickness of a telephone pole! They can get to be 16-23 feet long and weigh 100-200 pounds. Theses pythons live in Asia from India to China but they also have made a home in the Everglades in Florida. They are an invasive species there, taking over many of the wildlife. The heaviest Burmese python on record is one ironically named “Baby” that was 18.8 feet long and weighed 403 pounds!
1. Green Anaconda: 200-500 pounds, 43.7 inch girth
The green anaconda is the thickest snake in the world with a girth of 43.7 inches! These are the heaviest snake in the world as well with some specimens being recorded weighing 500 pounds! The Guinness Book has the largest green anaconda being measured in 1960 from Brazil. It weighed 500 pounds, was 27 feet 9 inches long and had a girth of 43.7 inches. Here is a little fun fact, a person’s arm span, distance from fingertip to fingertip is about the same as their height. A 3 ½ foot tall kid (44 inches) could just barely give the thickest snake a hug (if they wanted to). Now that is a thick snake!
