Apparently Akbar was working at a palm plantation on the island of Sulawesi. This video was taken of a 23 foot reticulated python that was cut open to reveal the body of a 25 year old farmer – Akbar. There have been several reported attacks by wild snakes, deaths from captive animals and in at least one well documented case, proof the best proof we have that a man was actually consumed by a reticulated python (as seen in the video below). Sensationalism aside, a case can be made that the reticulated python can be, in fact, a man-eater. News media will portray their darker side – possibly in an attempt to gain more viewership. Snake breeders will likely explain that you have to have great respect for them, but that given the right care, they’re great snakes to have. The more of a reptuation they have as a man-eater, the greater the chances that local governments will want to restrict access to these reptiles. Most people who breed reticulated pythons will argue against the ‘man eating’ reputation of these snakes. The snake was measured by a reporter a few weeks later at only 21′-23′ (The range is included I’m guessing because it’s really hard to measure a snake that big). NBC for example, reported at 49′ snake in Indonesia in 2004. Measurements over this size should elicit a great deal of skepticism. These seem to be about the size limit for these snakes. Some scientists are skeptical of this historical report though and think the longest ever may be much smaller.Ī recent snake was captured in Indonesia in 2016 that was reported at 26 ft. It also lists the largest as one caught in Celebes, Indonesia in 1902 at 32.75 feet. The genius book of world’s record lists the largest officially measured living snake as Medusa – 7.67 m (25 ft 2 in). However, no snake has been officially measured that long. Biologists tend to agree that this snake could reach lengths of around 30 feet. It’s not the heaviest – the anacondas take that prize. The reticulated python holds the record for the world’s longest snake. While it’s not the longest snake to have ever lived – Titanoboa currently takes that trophy. How is it possible for these species to both capture and eat large prey, survive in it’s natural environment and become a giant among reptiles? On the contrary, let’s look deep into the facts and history of this, one of the most impressive of reptiles. Let’s not have this introductory statement fall into the category of sensationalism for the sake of predator pornography. I’m talking about a snake that would not only kill a man, but would stick around to feast on their remains. I’m not talking about just a man-killer as clearly a few pet owners have fallen victim to these dangerous snakes. A good case could be made that the reticulated python could be one of the few animals in the world that holds the infamous title as a man-eater.
There are few animals in the world that could have man on the menu.