The 6 Largest Snakes in Asia

Snakes (Serpentes) are found in every country and continent except for Antarctica, and islands like Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, and New Zealand. Large snakes are important predators in their ecosystems because they keep the populations of their prey species at sustainable levels. Asia is home to some of the largest snakes in the world, most of which are nonvenomous constrictors. Continue reading to learn about the six largest snakes in Asia.

6. Russell’s Viper

Russell’s vipers (Daboia russelii) have sand-colored bodies with distinct dark brown ovoid splotches. They have heavy bodies with triangular heads. On average, these snakes measure approximately 4 feet long and weigh around 5 pounds. The largest specimens of this species measure up to 5.5 feet long and weigh up to 12 pounds. Russell’s viper is native to India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. They are found in all habitats in the region except for dense forests. These vipers primarily prey on rodents, which has caused the species to inhabit urban areas where rodent populations are high.

5. Indian Cobra

Indian cobras (Naja naja) typically measure 3.3 to 4.9 feet long and weigh 2.5 to 6 pounds. Large specimens, usually ones from Sri Lanka, can measure 6.9 to 7.2 feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds. These snakes are easily distinguished by the spectacle pattern on the back of their hoods. They live in all varieties of habitats and altitudes across their native range except for true deserts. The Indian cobra is a highly venomous snake whose venom is primarily composed of post-synaptic neurotoxins and cardiotoxins, which can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest.

4. King Cobra

King cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) are the longest venomous snakes in the world. They typically measure 10 to 13 feet long and weigh 11 to 20 pounds. Large specimens can measure up to 18 feet long and weigh up to 28 pounds. They are mostly black, with thin, semi-distinct white bands and pale yellow necks with black markings. King cobras are endemic to Southeast Asia. They are apex predators that prey on all other snakes except for large pythons. Their venom contains alpha-neurotoxins and cytotoxins, which can cause comas and respiratory failure.

3. Indian Python

Indian pythons (Python molurus) typically measure 8 to 11 feet long and weigh 70 to 129 pounds. Large specimens can measure up to 15 feet long and weigh up to 374 pounds. They are endemic to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, where they live in grasslands, swamps, marshes, rocky foothills, woodlands, open forest, and river valleys. These constrictors swallow their prey headfirst and remain motionless after eating, as the hard parts of large prey can potentially injure them from the inside. They prey on deer, antelopes, cattle, wild boars, hyenas, and Bengal monitors.

2. Burmese Python

One of the largest snakes in Asia, the Burmese python (Python Bivittatus) measures 10 to 16 feet long and typically weighs 200 to 250 pounds. Females are larger than males; the largest can measure up to 19 feet long and weigh up to 403 pounds. They are native to Southeast Asia and, because of the pet trade, have become an invasive species in Florida. These snakes are adept swimmers that need to live near water. They are carnivorous constrictors that primarily prey on rodents and other vermin. Invasive Burmese pythons in Florida have been observed attacking and eating alligators and adult deer.

1. Reticulated Python

Reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus) are the longest snakes in the world and the third heaviest. They typically measure 10 to 20 feet long and weigh around 165 pounds. The longest reliably measured reticulated python was approximately 25 feet long, and the heaviest recorded specimen was estimated at 550 pounds, though larger unverified claims exist. They are native to Southeast Asia; while a few individuals have been found in Florida, they are not considered an established invasive species there. These ambush predators primarily prey on mammals, from small rats to large deer, and they are the only snake species that have been documented to prey on humans.