The size of the Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)

[GuateGojira]

The largest reliable anaconda, it is real?

Some sources quote as the largest reliable anaconda a specimen of 11.4 m in length. They quote Pope (1961) as the source of this record. Let’s see the case.

I have found a document of Pope (1973) where he mentions this record, here are the pages:

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

It seems that although he “accepts” it, it is also mentioned that many herpetologists remain skeptical of this record.

Here is the source in the magnificent book of Gerard Wood (1978) “Animal facts and feats”:

*This image is copyright of its original author

Although the method seems reliable (steel tape used) the problem is that there is not a single evidence of that specimen, apart from the word of the witness. This is the typical case of “I saw an UFO, I have no evidence, but trust me”. We can only trust in the word of Lamon, but if we choose to not, then the record is automatically unreliable.

Judge by yourself.

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At petition of Richard, here are the pages 128 and 129, with the records of the king cobra and other snakes:

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

This other book shows a captive 14 ft (427 cm) king cobra.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Did I tell you a secret? The king cobra is my favorite snake (anaconda is in 2nd. Place).

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