Construction workers discovered what is believed to be the world's longest snake.
The 26-foot-long python emerged at a building site in a tourist area on Penang Island in Malaysia. The workers found the snake hiding under a fallen tree and laying eggs on April 7.
Dubbed as a reticulated python, a species found abundantly in Southeast Asia and is considered the longest reptile species, the snake was seen where a flyover is being built.
The operations chief for Penang's Civil Defence Department's southwest district, Herme Herisyam, said that the construction workers notified authorities of their discovery. It took the officials about 30 minutes to trap and capture the snake.
After capturing the snake, they took some photos but the snake laid one egg and fell still. Unfortunately, the snake died on April 10. It is unclear why the snake died but it may be linked to the stress related to the capture.
In a video recorded during the capture, a man was seen kicking the snake.
It was about to be transferred to a safe abode by the Department of Wildlife when it died.
Reticulated pythons or Retics have long been known to be aggressive and ill-tempered. Today, they are already known to be highly intelligent and easily cared for captives. They are now being domesticated and taken in as pets in various areas in Southeast Asia, originating from Indonesia and Malaysia.
They are popular because of their large, muscular build and beautifully patterned skin. These snakes live at an average age of 15 to 20 years old but for some, they may reach 25 or even 30 years old.
These snakes are well-known for extreme sizes, with some spanning to long meters while others, called Superdwarfs, may max out at just 6 to 7 feet long. Dwarfs, on the other hand, may have lengths ranging from 10 to 12 feet.
The current record belongs to Medusa, a 25-foot-long python found in 2011. It is currently found in The Edge of Hell Haunted House in Kansas City, Missouri. Before Medusa was granted the title, Fluffy, which is about 24 feet, holds the title for the longest snake in captivity.
If the new snake found would be considered by the Guinness World Records, it would now hold the title for the longest snake.
