Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the World’s Largest Snake: Extinct Anaconda-Like Serpent Believed to Have Reached 43 Feet in Length and 2,500 Pounds in Weight

Hello Antonio, Frank Indiviglio here.

There are claims of large arboreal monitors in New Guinea, but I’ve not learned of any that have been reliably measured; as far as I know, all remains as when we discussed monitor lengths in connection with my Crocodile Monitor article. Please let me know if you have any updates.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Hello Antonio, Frank Indiviglio here.

Thanks for your post. The largest reliably measured croc was just over 20 feet long…please check this article for some interesting details and theories. I’ve worked with Rhom Whittaker, who is cited there. He is the world’s leading expert on such matters, and his remarks may be taken as the most authoritative available. Some years ago I had the good fortune to enter an exhibit housing the world’s largest captive croc..please see this article for details.

Komodo Dragons have a tiny range and have been well studied, so there’s not much room for speculation. The largest was a somewhat famous animal that just tipped 10 feet in length. His story involves noted animal collectors and zoos..you should be able to trace it online. A statue depicting this animal decorates the Bronx Zoo reptile house…amazing bulk, an very impressive in general.

Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank I

Hello Antonio, Frank Indiviglio here.

Thanks for your interest. I hope all is well. Unfortunately, nothing new to report. I’ll report back if my colleague publishes anything related.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Hello Antonio, Frank Indiviglio here.

Thanks for your interest. Judging from what we know of the largest species, a 20+ foot long individual is unlikely. The rumors mentioned in this article are speculation…I’d like to believe them, but there is no solid evidence.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Hello Antonio,

Thanks for your interest. Given the density of the forests they inhabit, larger individuals than those now known are theoretically possible, but there is no way to accurately estimate their size. We can only go by what we have seen. The largest reliably-measured monitor of any species of which I’m aware is a 10’1” Komodo Dragon; a bronze model of this animal is on display at the Bronx Zoo’s reptile house. It is 10’ 2” long, in order to “beat” the record!

Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Hello Antonio

Thanks for the water monitor note; I’ll check the reference. I had one that measured over 7’, and was missing much of its tail, so they do get up there. I can’t really speculate any further re maximum possible lengths.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Hello Antonio,

The references listed here would be a good starting point; your local library should be able to assist you in borrowing them, if they are not in the collection.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Hello Antonio,

They have powerful jaws and serrated teeth; as with any such animal, a bite that severs an artery could be fatal if not treated right away. However, evolution has adapted them to an arboreal lifestyle; they are lighter in weight than similarly sized species, and likely prey upon moderately-sized forest animals (possums, birds, snakes etc.). Komodo Dragons have evolved to fill the role left open by the absence of large cats and other mammalian predators; they are heavily built and occasionally take humans and larger prey. Water Monitors frequent village and city outskirts in some regions, and likely take chickens, cats etc.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Hello Antonio,

Thanks for your interest. Komodos have been very well-studied and, considering their tiny range, I doubt there are any surprises in store re size. This article has some facts info gathered by a field researcher from the San Diego Zoo.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Hello Antonio,

The 2 species have hybridized in captivity, but it is not known whether or not fertile offspring are always produced. Remarks concerning the size or aggressiveness of hybrids are speculative…hybridization is a complex process; DNA studies and long-term experience are lacking. Please see this article for info on African Rock Pythons in Florida.

Best, Frank

Hello Antonio,

Unfortunately, there are far too many variables involved; I you’ve not done so, you may wish to read up on the history of 1 or several domesticated mammals or birds to get a sense of what I mean. We’ve been selectively breeding and hybridizing out most important commercial species for centuries, and a good deal of information has been generated. However, little if any would seem applicable to reptiles.

Sorry I could not be of more help, Best, Frank

Hi Antonio,

Thx for the feedback. Hybrid vigor is a very interesting topic, but it refers to a whole range of genetic characteristics, not size alone. The classic example is the mule – midway in size between the horse and donkey from which it was derived, more resistant to certain diseases than either, physically very powerful, etc. Wild relatives are bred with domestic animals and crops (i.e. tomatoes) to add desirable characteristics all the time – i.e. zebu/domestic cow crosses are resistant to various insects and parasites that afflict domestic cows in Africa. Hybrids can be larger, smaller or the same size as the parent species. The big cat crosses I’m aware of, mainly lion/tiger (which are infertile) are appx the same size as the parent species. Same with many birds, i.e.guinea hen/chicken crosses.

The flip side of hybrid vigor is outbreeding depression; hybrids inherit unfavorable characteristics (infertility is common, as with big cats). In one project, Ibex of different subspecies (closely related) were crossed and released into the Italian Alps, where the species had been exterminated. The resulting genetic mix caused the hybrids to give birth in the middle of winter, rather than spring, and the population perished.

Much depends on how closely related the animals are, but there are a great many other factors involved as well. Several python species have been crossed in captivity, incl African and Burmese pythons, but there is no clear pattern, re size, that I know of. We do not have enough info to make an educated guess at this point.

Best, Frank