Ask Tappity: Science Questions for Kids > What’s the Biggest Snake in the World?
What’s the Biggest Snake in the World?
Python? Anaconda? Which snake is the biggest of them all? And just how big is it? Watch this video to find out, or read our explanation below!
The Longest Snake is the Reticulated Python
The longest snake in the world is the Reticulated Python. It can grow up to 20 feet long - as long as a giraffe is tall. It’s a non-venomous constrictor, meaning it kills its prey by wrapping its long body around it and squeezing it to death.
The Heaviest Snake is the Giant Anaconda
The Reticulated Python may be the longest, but the Giant Anaconda (also called the Green Anaconda) is the heaviest. Though it's a few feet shorter, it's a lot thicker, so it weighs more on average - up to about 150 lbs. The giant anaconda is also a constrictor, and is found in the Amazon Rainforest.
The Longest Venomous Snake is the King Cobra
Ok, but what about non-constrictors? What about snakes who kill their prey with good old fashioned venom? Well, then the longest of the bunch is the aptly named King Cobra, which usually grows to about 10-12 feet long.
Snake Facts for Kids
Got snake questions? We’ve got snake answers!
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Snakes use their tongues to smell the air for prey. Their tongue is forked so that they can tell what direction a scent is coming from - much like having two ears helps you tell what direction a sound is coming from.
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No - snakes eat their prey whole. They open their jaws very wide, and are able to move their internal organs aside and stretch their bodies out to make room for massive meals, which they digest, fur and all.
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Snakes usually live for about 20-30 years.
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Snakes have a few natural predators, depending on the species of snake. Some of them include birds, wolverines, mongooses, and even other snakes!
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No, snakes can hear. Snakes don’t have outer ears, but their inner ears are very similar to ours.
More Answers to Animal Questions from Kids
What’s the smallest animal? Why are sharks such good hunters? The Tappity Zoology Library has interactive lessons with answers to those questions and more!
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