the net python (Broghammerus reticulatus)

and the human (homo sapiens) eat each other:

animals, eat delicious!

the reticulated python (Broghammerus

reticulatus) and man (homo sapiens) eat
each other: animals, Enjoy your meal!

Ruud Delang, Rotterdam Ruud Delang, Rotterdam

delaroz@[Link] delaroz@[Link]

Summary Summary
netpythons (Broghammerus reticulatus) ko- reticulated pythons (Broghammerus reticu-
men in South and Southeast Asia. Sidekun- latus) occur in South and Southeast Asia.
they have become large predators, that they are large prey they can grow so large that they can swallow
can swallow. also people become low large prey. also people are attacked
attacked or devoured, but in Indonesia devoured, but in Indonesia and Sarawak
In Sarawak, there have been over the last 150 years. there are only 20 reasonably reliable cases
twenty worst fairly reliable case known in the last 150 years. However, this
known. This is, however, an underestimation is an underestimate of reality because many
and reality, because many cases cases remain known only locally. Conversely,
only remain locally known. reverse is eating reticulated pythons by people is
the eating water pythons by humans no nothing particular. this is already done for
Particularity. This has been happening for centuries. centuries and even today.
and now again.
the maximum length of a reticulated python
The maximum length ever for a reticulated python The highest recorded in North Sulawesi is 10m.
registered in North Sulawesi, amounts to this record will be exceeded if a photo of an
10m. This record is exceeded if 11m long specimen from Laos is not a hoax
a photo of an 11m long net python and the given length correct.
laos niet geënsceneerd opgegeven
length correct.
introduction
introduction reticulated python (Broghammerus)
The net python (Broghammerus reticulatus) reticulatus, Python reticulatus earlier) is
you, former Python reticulatus) comes all- common in many countries in South and
common in many countries in South and Southeast Asia, from India in the West

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Litteratura Serpentium 2010 volume 30 number 4
Southeast Asia, from India in the west, to to Indonesia in the east. It is known that
in Indonesia in the east. It is be- Reticulated pythons can eat large prey.
only that netpython's great prey can items (monkeys,goats,pigs, calves, bears,
eating (monkeys, goats, pigs, calves, bears) etc.), larger than seemingly possible. For in-
enz.), larger than seemingly possible. So stance, while staying in the jungle of north
I saw a stay in the jungle of Sumatra in 1999, I saw a reticulated python.
North Sumatra in 1999, a net python that that had worked inside a large prey,
had worked a large prey inside, blyaforest pig, and was digesting it on a
possible boar, and this on a quiet place. this snake was about 4m long
quiet place to stay. This snake and the swallowed prey was so big that the
approximately 4 meters long and swallowed snake could barely move, let alone flee for
the prey was so large, that it took a long time an enemy.
barely able to move, let alone
flights for an enemy. later, during fieldwork in Sulawesi in the
years 2000 - 2003 to create a guide to the
later, in fieldwork on Sulawesi in the years snakes of this Indonesian island (Delang
2000 - 2003 for making a guide &Vogel,2005),Icameacrossanumberof
cases where people had been attacked by
land (Delang & Vogel, 2005), I stumbled upon reticulated pythons and even actually de-
a number of cases where people by devoured. this always occurred by snakes of
netpythons were attacked and even formidable dimensions. Because the eat-
actually devoured. It went here The killing of a human by a snake is often taken
steedomslangenvanformidable dimensions- for impossible or dismissed like an anecdote
because the opening of a person through dote, i documented these cases and sup-
sometimes quite often is considered impossible plemented them with previously published
held, or if anecdote is dismissed, data. I have restricted myself to the country
had these cases documented Indonesia plus Sarawak (the Malaysian part)
supplemented with already published data of Borneo).
I have limited myself to the country.
Indonesia and Sarawak (the Malaysian part)
from Borneo) Attacks and devourings by
reticulated Python
Number of attacks and devourings Indonesia and Sarawak in the wild
doornet pythons in the wild the following list of cases where people
Indonesia and Sarawak have been attacked or eaten by reticulated
The following list of cases in which pythons in Indonesia and Sarawak in the
people in Indonesia and Sarawak wild, is reasonably reliable in my opinion and
netpythons in the wild have been attacked or has to be taken seriously
consumed, in my opinion reasonably be- 1853, Tondano, North Sulawesi. a
reliable and serious take: 14-year-old boy who walked with his
Mother through the forest was caught,
1853, Tondano, North Sulawesi. a wrapped around and killed by a python
14-year-old boy with his mother of 7.20m. The serpent was killed with

255
 Photo 1. 1998. Tuwa, Sulawesi. Man devoured by Photo 2. 1998. Tuwa, Sulawesi. The snake is being
a Netpython of 5.75 m. Unopened hose. opend. Photo 2. 1998. Tuwa, Sulawesi. The snake
Photo 1. 1998. Tuwa, Sulawesi. Man devoured by a is being opened.
Reticulated Python of 5.75 m. Snake unopened.

Photo 3. 1998. Tuwa, Sulawesi. Half-open snake. Photo 4. 1998. Tuwa, Sulawesi. Fully opened
Photo 3. 1998. Tuwa, Sulawesi. Half opened snake. slang. Photo 4. 1998. Tuwa, Sulawesi. Entirely ope-
ned snake.

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Litteratura Serpentium 2010 volume 30 number 4
 caught while walking through the forest, in order to- machetes by some men in the neigh-
wounded and killed by a python neighborhood. the skin of the snake was
van7.20m. Deslangwerdgedoodmet used as a tablecloth (Buddingh, 1860).
cap through some men in the 2. in or before 1861, Waypoti, east Buru.
neighborhood. From the skin of the snake an adult male was attacked near his
a tablecloth made (Buddingh, There is a large snake about 6m long near the home.
1860). certainly articulated python. the ani-
2. in or before 1861, Waypoti, East Buru. mal grabbed the man with its mouth and
an adult man became close would have killed and devoured the man
house attacked by a large if he would not have called in the aid of
van approximately 6m long, unconfirmed his neighbors who finished off the snake
feldeen netpython. The animal grabbed the with their machetes. the teeth marks of
man with his mouth would have him the python were visible on the thigh of
killed in Amsterdam, wasn't it the man (Wallace, 1890).
this is a call for help from the neighbors March 3, 1891
shots, diedeslang methunkapmes- Borneo. a sleeping boy of 10 to 12 years
you finished. The bite marks of Old was attacked in his house at night.
the python is visible on the side of by a large python. the snake bit the boy
the man (Wallace, 1890). in his head. His father broke the snake’s
March 3, 1891, Judan, Sarawak, North mouth open, but was wrapped around
Borneo. sleeping boy of 10 years old bythesnake. the neighbours however
12 years old was 'at home at night I did hear their cries for help and killed.
attacked by a large python. The the snake. the animal appeared to be
slang beet the boy in his head. His about 4.50m long. the bite wounds of
father broke the debek hose open, the snake was visible on the head of
but was entwined. the boy (Sarawak gazette, April 1891. in:
However, the debtors came for their assistance. Shelford, 1916).
group of defending snakes. This 4. in or before 1903, Sarawak, north
bleek approximately 4.50m long. The injuries Borneo. A Dayak man was grabbed by
vandeslangwarenzichtbaar ophet his calf in the forest when he passed
head of the boy (Sarawak gazette) a tree in which a python was hanging
April 1891. In: Shelford, 1916. down from the trunk. His companion
4. in or before 1903, Sarawak, north- who walked behind him chopped off
Borneo. A Dayak man working in the forest. the snake’s head, but the scars from the
he was caught by the calf when he a tree The bite of the python was still visible a few
passed in which a python of the years later (Shelford, 1916).
downwarding. His companion 5. 1913 or 1914, Central Borneo. a Dayak
the backhem chopped the head of the boy was on the hunt for wild pigs with
super cool, but the scars from the bite his dogs. He followed the trails made by
I missed Python a few years later the pigs when suddenly a python struck
yet as of (Shelford, 1916). the python could not get hold at
5. 1913 of 1914, Central Borneo. a the boy with its teeth, but hit him with its
The Dayak boy was with his dogs. neck. The boy was bowled over, but was

257
 able to scramble on and escape (raven,
1946).
6. a few years before 1917, Central Borneo.
a Dayak was devoured in the forest by a
reticulated python. two days later the
A snake was found and killed with a ma-
chetes. the meat was eaten (lumholtz,
1920).
July 13, 1921
TalaudIslands.14-year-oldboydevoured.
in the vegetable garden by a python of
Photo 5. 2000, Duminanga, Sulawesi. The sons of a
about 5m (Kopstein, 1927).
digging the snake eaten by a Netpython man 8. 1923; Buru. adult woman devoured by a
op. R. de Lang Photo 5. 2000, Duminanga, Sulawesi. 10m long specimen (Kopstein, 1927).
The sons of a man eaten by a Reticulated 9 December 1926
Southeast Sumatra. Adult man attacked
hunting wild pigs. He followed the in the forest, entwined and killed by a 5
fallen, made by the pigs, when 6m long python. The snake dragged.
suddenly a python comes out the body of the man into the forest with
caught. The python got with its teeth itstail. Dashing up kampong residents
fainted on the boy, but hit him tried to intervene. upon this the snake
met his neck. The boy was turned around let go the victim and escaped quickly
to throw, but to get back up and un- (Batavian News, December 6,
snapping (raven, 1946). 1926. in: Kopstein, 1927).
6. a few years before 1917, Central- May 10, 1938, Kisaran, North Sumatra. a
Borneo. A Dayak was in the forest The foreman was attacked by a
consuming through a net [Link] reticulated python of unknown length
days later was found and which fell on him from a tree. However, he
killed with a stabbing knife. The meat was was released, still alive but unconscious
eaten (Lumholtz, 1920). and internal injuries (Hoogerwerf,
13 July 1921 1970).
TalaudIslands.boyof14yearsoldin May 11, 1939, near Sibuhuan, Central
the vegetable garden destroyed by a py- Sumatra. a Batak buffalo herdsman
thonvanca. 5m (Kopstein, 1927). was attacked by a python. the animal
8. 1923, Buru. Adult woman neglect wrapped around his leg, through which
through a 10m long specimen he fell. He was not bitten. upon his
(Kopstein, 1927). shoutsahelper arrived, who chopped
9 December 1926 with his machete on the head of the
Southeast Sumatra. Adult man in snake. the animal let go and wanted to
the bushes were attacked, encircled disappear in the grass, but was killed
killed by a 5 to 6 meter long python. (Sody, 1941).
The body of the man has been dragged away. 12. 1940, Luwuk, East Sulawesi. A woman
my tail is quickly entering the forest was grabbed, killed and devoured by

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Litteratura Serpentium 2010 Volume 30 Number 4
 village residents tried to articulated python during field work.
grasp. Deslang lie here oft slaughter- the snake was killed and cut open. the
offer loose escape fast (Batavia) victim was buried (Coomans deruiter,
newspaper, December 6, 1926. in: 1954).
Kopstein, 1927). 13. 1940, Banggai Island, East Sulawesi. a
May 10, 1938 similar case to that of luwuk (Coomans
a foreman was attacked deruiter, 1954).
lendoor een netpythonvan onbekende 14. 1974, Ongka, South Coast of North
length, that was raised from a tree. Sulawesi, at the Tomini Bay, about 60
but he was freed, still alive, kmsouthoftoli-toli. Boy killed and de-
but unconscious with internal victory devoured by a python of unknown length
dingen (Hoogerwerf, 1970). (Delang & Vogel, 2005).
May 11, 1939, near Sibuhuan, Central 15. 1994, Jailolo, North Halmahera. Safe
Sumatra. A Batak farmer's house. living in a house in the forest disap-
was attacked by a python. peared one evening. although no one
The animal swung around its leg, saw anything and no snake with a man
causing him to be disappointed. bitten a size bulge was found, his wife and other
he won't. at his shouting came
a helper off, who with his machete on the
slang inhaled. The animal let loose in
the grass disappears, but was killed
(Sody, 1941).
12. 1940, Luwuk, East Sulawesi. A woman
were during field operations by
a net python caught, killed
swallowed. Deslangwerd killed
cut open. The victim was
buried (Coomans deruiter, 1954).
13. 1940, Banggai Island, East Sulawesi.
similar case as that of luuwuk
(Coomans deruiter, 1954).
14. 1974, Ongka, South Coast of North-
Sulawesi, aande Baaivantomini, ca.
60 km south of Toli-Toli. boy
killed by a python
of unknown length (Delang & Vogel,
2005).
15. 1994, Jailolo, Halmahera. a man,
living in a house in the woods, was up
one evening disappeared. although no-
Mandiets has seen and no longer.
with a bulge the size of a Photo 6. 2000, Duminanga, Sulawesi. The widow at the
men were found, what a woman is vertebrae of the snake that ate her husband. R. de Lang

259
 Photo 7. 2000, Duminanga, Sulawesi. The vertebrae of the 7.50 m long snake on the sidewalk of the bridge. R. de Lang

and other local residents, including local residents, including a lifelong friend
a lifelong friend of the man, there of the man, were absolutely convinced
absolutely convinced that the man was that the man was eaten by a reticulated
caught by a clean python. According to python. according to the residents
Residents of Halmahera are on- About every year someone was caught.
almost every year someone through a net- in Halmahera by a reticulated python.
python grasped. This was confirmed in this was confirmed in a python skinning
a company in Halmahera, where value is business in Halmahera (Dave Barker)
Vpi, pers. comm.
January 16, 1998
adult man eaten by a python of 5 ¾m
length. this case is documented by me.
See below.
17. 1999, joy, second case. Someone
eaten by a python of at least 6m and
then vomited. Villagers said that this was
because the person had been chewing
tobacco (Delang & Vogel, 2005).
Photo 8. Pieces of Netpython meat on the market in Imandi,
North Sulawesi M. Argeloo December 18, 2000, Duminanga in the south

260
Litteratura Serpentium 2010 Volume 30 Number 4
 denvan pythons are being processed for of the north arm of Sulawesi. a male
the sale(DaveBarker, Vpi, pers. resident partially eaten by a 7½ m long
snake. this case is documented by me.
January 16, 1998 See below.
Adult man found September 19, 2001, maahasnearluwuk,
pythonvan5¾m. This case is by me east Sulawesi. julin, a 30 year old man
documented. Then further. from this village, who went out hunting
17. 1999, joy, second case. someone birds in the forest with his friend, was bit-
fed by a python of ten- ten in the leg by reticulated python
at least 6 months and then expressed. which immediately coiled around the
Villagers said that this came, body of the victim. He took his machete,
because the person had chewed tobacco chopped on the head of the snake and
(Delang & Vogel, 2005). called upon the help of his friend.
December 18, 2000, Duminanga, inhetzui- latter could free his friend from the coils
Northern arm of Sulawesi. of the snake. the snake appeared to be
6m long. The victim was taken to hospital.
tendoor a 7½m long snake. also this talk to treat this bite wounds (local news-
case history documented. Ziever- paperBanggaiexpress, 2001).
the. March 18, 2010
September 19, 2001, was a blue day. Sumatra. 13-year-old boy Muhammed
Central Sulawesi. July, a 30-year-old man Zakaria, while swimming in a river, was
out of this village, which with his girlfriend the forest attacked, bitten and wrapped around
The bird hunt went, was in his leg ge- by a larger reticulated python (length
betendoor a netpython, diezich di- unknown). The snake emerged from a
rectum of the victim's body tunnel that discharges wastewater in
curved. He grabbed his machete and chopped- the river. His friends called for help from
he in the top of the hose and called local people who hit and stabbed the
help in his friend. This could be with him. snake with bamboo sticks. the animal
knife is friend from the entanglement let go and fled back into the tunnel.
vandeslangbevrijden. Deslangbleek 6 The victim was taken to a hospital, but did
the victim was referred to not survive the event. one looked for
taken to the hospital for treatment the snake several weeks thereafter, but
language have been bitten (local newspaper itwasneverfound (newspaperantara
Banggaiexpress, 2001). news, merchant April 2010).
20. March 18, 2010, Tembung, North
Sumatra. Of 13-year-old boy there is a close resemblance to what hap-
Muhammed Zakaria was raised in penedin [Link] illustrate this,a
a river swimming was, to- comprehensive report of cases no. 16 and
fallen, bitten and wrapped by 18 follows.
a large net python (length unknown).
Deslangkwam emerged from a tun Case no. 16
Neldie discharges wastewater into the river. end of January 1998 in the morning at 06:00
friends calling for help in the local a 42-year-old man from the village

261
 population, diedeslang with bamboo- Oftuwa, South of Palu, Central Sulawesi
the stick struck and pierced. This let him went with his wife to their vegetable garden,
prey escaped back into the tunnel. about 1 km from their house. the woman
The victim was taken to a hospital cooked rice for her husband in the garden
brought home, but did not survive. house and returned home. that night her
There are still a few weeks until the snake. Husband did not come home. The next
sought, but this has never been found Morning his wife went back to the vegetable
the newspaper news, March and April garden looking for him. She found the un-
2010). touched rice. Her husband was nowhere to
be found. It was Friday and after the morning-
there is a great degree of agreement in ing prayer in the mosque about 40 villagers
what happened in these cases. for example- We were helping to look for the man.
follow here a detailed report of km of the vegetable garden they found the
the cases no. 16 and 18. shoes of her husband. and 10m farther they
found a snake, which apparently had been
Case No. 16 eating something big. they killed the snake
end of January 1998, at 06:00 in the morning, with a machete and carried it home. there
a 42-year-old man from the village the snake was cut open with a machete and
ten southern Palu, Central Sulawesi, with the lifeless body of her husband came out.
are woman to their vegetable garden, about 1 See photo 1-4. The length of the snake was
kmvanhunhuis. The woman cooked rice for measured and appeared to be 5.75m.
her man returned to the garden shed Skin of the serpent was sold.
home. That evening her husband did not come.
home. The next morning, his wife went In September 2001 after I had heard of this
back to the vegetable garden to see him case, I visited Tuwa to verify this. I went to
Ken. She found the rice untouched. Her the house of the widow of the victim, but it
manwasechter undetectable. It was quite- appeared she had moved. a relative who
morning prayer mosque in the evening now lived in the house could confirm the
about unrefined villagers Story. From a neighbor, I received a photo.
help search. approx. 1 km distance from graphofthecut opensnakecontaining the
the vegetable garden found next to the shoes of victim. later, I received some accompanying
her man. and further found them a photos.
slang apparently had eaten something big.
Zedooddendeslang with a single-edged knife Case no. 18
transporting this home. There was the On December 16, 2000, a 50-year-old male
slang cut open and lifeless Inhabitant of Duminangaw went at 16:30 to his
The one who is detestable comes forward. vegetable garden to pick cocoa fruits.
See Photo 1-4. The length of the hose was The garden is about 1 km from the village. When
measured and turned out to be 5.75m. The skin He didn't come home. His two sons went to look.
Vandeslangwerd sold. At 23:00 hours they found near
the garden articulated python containing
after September 2001 in this case to his waist their father. He was dead.
had heard, I visited to snake was killed with machetes; the head of

262
Literature of Serpents 2010 volume 30 number 4
verify. I was going to the house of the the snake was chopped off. their father was
victim of a traffic accident, but it bleaches brought home. the head and the body of the
moved. a family member who is now in the house snakes were buried in the village.
lived, could confirm the story.
I received a photo from a neighbor. In September 2001, I heard this and visited.
open snakes with the slaughter inside the village in order to document this case.
offer. later I also received some additional information the village head and the widow of the victim
render photos. confirmed what had happened. When show-
ing photographsofatigerpython(Python
Case No. 18 Malayopython reticulatus and the reticulated python
On December 16, 2000, I turned fifty years old. the latter was recognized as the culprit.
old male resident of Duminanga remains of the snake were allowed to be
At 4:30 PM to his vegetable garden around. excavated to measure its length. the spinal
to pick soft fruits. The garden was located at approx. The column was dug up bit by bit by the sons of
1 km from the village. He is not home. the widow. See photo 5. She was present
He came, his two sons went to look for him. as well. See photo 6. the ribs were left in
At 11:00 PM tonight, they are in the neighborhood of the the pit. it smelled so bad that the excava-
garden a netpython, with therein until his mid- They wore t-shirts in front of their noses.
delhunvader, death. Deslangwerddead unfortunately the separately buried head
metcalf measuring, the hose was removed could not be found. the vertebrae were taken-
cut off. Their father was going home washed in the river and laid on the foot-
brought. Decoration unit body of the snake path of the bridge See photo 7. I measured
are buried in the village. the distance between vertebrae of the nape
to the end of the tail with a rope. it amounted
In September 2001, I heard about this and to 7.30m. after some adjustments the total
I visited the village because of this case. The length of the snake appeared to be 7.50m.
the village chief the widow
victim confirmation what it was these are 20 cases in about 150 years’ time
happened. photos of a tiger python of which 19 have been noticed by outsiders
Python molurus bivittatus net python during their visit to Indonesia and Sarawak
is recognized as the bad doer. and reported elsewhere. It is concluded that
The leftover of the hose could be reticulated pythons in the wild actually at-
excavated to measure the length. The- tackor eathumans, but this is, at least in
piece by piece excavated in Velkolomwerd Indonesia and Sarawak, rare. the number of
through the widow. See Photo 5. known cases however, is an underestimate
Also add yourself. See Photo 6. The rib- of the actual number because this news of -
I was left behind in the ditch. It smelled so, ten remains at local level and does not pen-
date diggers hunt shirt for their nose Infiltrate as far as the outside world. Indonesia
the separately buried head unfortunately consists of some 17,000 islands that are of-
not found. The vertebrae ten far away and difficult to reach.
were taken along, washed in the river
and explained on the sidewalk from the bridge. it is difficult to decide from these cases why
SeePhoto7. with a rope mat I measure the distance reticulated pythons attacked a man.

263
 from the cervical spine to the tailbone. This was may have been accidental encounters with
7.30m. after some corrections, the total a non-hungry snake, in which the snake
length of the hose 7.50m. felt threatened, attacked man, gripped the
person with its mouth and subsequently en-
There are twenty cases in approximately 150. twined and strangled him/her. But it is also
year time, of which nineteen downpour- possible that a hungry snake is in ambush,
tenstaanders during their visit to Indonesia waited for a prey to come by. When ahu-
in Sarawak have been noticed and elsewhere man being instead of an animal passed,
reported. it can be concluded that- snakestruck without making a difference
the, datnetpythonsinhetwildinderdaad and killed and devoured this prey thereafter.
attacking or eating people, but this Largely reticulated pythons are that strong.
in any case in Indonesia and Sarawak, self- that a single-handed person is no match for
prevents it. The number of known cases the snake. it is already difficult to free one-
actually an underestimate of it self without help from the coils of a 3m long
actual number, because this news often on specimen.
local level stays hanging and does not fall out
ten worlds permeate. Indonesia consists of
approximately 17,000 islands that are often far away men eat reticulated Pythons
are located and are difficult to reach. Snakes and snake parts are eaten by people.
for centuries as a necessary part of the menu
In these cases, it cannot be concluded where- or for reasons of superstition (medicinal or
fighting against the python people. potency-enhancing effect, etc.). reticulated
there could have been random encounters pythons are no exception to this. So it is
are with a non-hungry snake, whereby not very extraordinary when a human eats
felt threatened, the human being- articulated python. in fact, in the course
much, grabbed by the mouth and then Oftentimes, countless reticulated pythons have
reflexmatig omwondenwurgde. maarhet passed through human throats.
it is impossible that a hungry snake is in
ambush lay, waiting for a passage For people who largely depend on their food
the prey. and when there was a human instead of on products from forest or field, such as the
the duck passed by, hit the snake without Dayaks in the interior of Borneo, these ani-
made a distinction, strangled this Fish are an important source of protein.
prey attracted them inside. large They seem to find the meat tasty. In Raven.
netpythons are so strong, that a mensal- (1946) is a story of Dayaks who grabbed
there is no party advantage. It is all a large python from their boat on the river
difficult to get out of the wrapping without help and killed it with their machetes. the animal
to come from a 3m long specimen. was about 6 meters in length and seemed to
have eaten recently a large animal, judging
people eat python by a large bulge which was visible on both
The snake finally ends up becoming all century- sides of the snake. at night the beast was
People have eaten as necessary roastedandeaten,including twowildpigs
part of the menu for reasons of that came out of its stomach!
superstition (medicinal or potency enhancing)

264
Litteratura Serpentium 2010 Volume 30 Number 4
working etc.). netpythons are not on this
exception. So it is not so special if
a person is just eating python. infect there are
In the loop of time, countless Python elements.
has gone through human throat holes.

For people who grow their own food

being partially dependent on the products of
bosoft field, like the Dayaks in the interior
land of Borneo, these animals a be-
important protein source. etc. seem the meat
delicious to find. in raven (1946) there is a
story about Dayaks from a hunting boat
Photo 9. 2009. Large reticulated python in Seram, probably
the river a large python caught and with 8m long. R. de Lang
hunkapmes doodmaakten. The beast seemed
about 6m long and a large one
the animals have eaten, judging by Lumholtz (1920) also ate python at times.
a large bulge that protrudes on both sides during his expedition to Borneo and found
the wind was invisible. In the evening it became the meat very good, although he thought the
the beast was eaten roasted, inclu- liver was the finest part.
sieves two wild boars that are out of their stomachs
came to the fore! large snakes provide much good quality
meat of a good taste (pope, 1961). However,
ook lumholtz (1920) during his expedition the meat of a 7 meter reticulated python
tie to Borneo some python found it that was captured on Seram was very tough
meat is good, although he provides the liver (nationalgeographic film, 2001). possibly
best found. the meat of young snakes is more tender.
grotesque snakes deliver a lot of meat from a
good quality and a good taste at various markets in Indonesia (e.g. in
1961). The meat of a 7m long netpy- Yogyakartaorintomohonandimandi,north
Thondie was captured in the Seram, truly- Sulawesi python meat is offered regularly.
it's really tough (film from National Geographic, Seephoto8.
2001). it is possible that the meat of young lambs
gen malser. various markets in Indonesia
in Yogyakarta of intomohon enimandi the maximum length of
North Sulawesi) is regularly python- thereticulated Python
offered. See Photo 8. a study in a number of reticulated pythons
slaughterhouses in South Sumatra from
The maximum length of the net python 1993 to 1995 revealed that the total length
from a research in a number net- of 560 specimens of wild-captured snakes
python slaughterhouses in South Sumatra ranged from 1.5 to 6.9 m (Shine et al, 1998).
From 1993 to 1995 it became clear that the total length of Longer snakes are rare and must have been.
560 pieces in the wild-caught snakes va- very fortunate in their lives.

265
 rieerdevan1.5to6.9m(Shine et al, 1998). large snakes are so rare that in 1910 the
Longer specimens are rare and difficult American President Roosevelt offered an
many lucky moments have had in their lives. amount of USD 50,000 for the one who
could provide the Bronx Zoo, New York with
Giant snakes are so rare that the a livingsnake of 9m or more. a snake of
American President Roosevelt in 1910 that length had never been delivered to the
an amount of $50,000 has been pledged for Bronx Zoo. Since the reticulated python
the one that is a living snake of 9m or is the species that probably could attain
meerkats deliver to the Bronx Zoo, new such a length, the american writer/adven-
[Link] Turer Robert Twigger started a search for it.
never delivered to the Bronx Zoo. because in Malaysia and Indonesia. He found some
the netpython species is the same largest snakes. the longest one was caught
lengthheightlikelycouldbeha- onSeram. this specimen has a length of
len, begond American writer/evening- only 7 meters (national geographic film)
turierroberttwigger a quest for 2001).
in Malaysia and Indonesia. He found some
grotesquen. The longest end of Seram occasionally reticulated pythons often
captured. This specimen had however a mouse lengths are reported deliberately.
Only 7m long (film from National) In 2004, a message appeared that in a tourist
Geographic, 2001). Park in Central Java is a snake over 14m.
was on show. after verification this animal
a report is deliberately made appeared to be only 6.5 to 7 m long. this
water pythons of enormous length. in 2004 was a clear case of fraud, with the aim to line
a message appeared that in a place the park’s purse.
in the middle of Java in a tourist park
slang van ruim 14 m te zien zou zijn. Bij con- there would be a articulated python of all-
Trolebleek measures only 6.5 to 7 meters long. most 10 meters located in a glass case at the
This is a clear case of fraud, with Raffles Museum, Singapore (Coomans de
as aimed at the park areas. Ruiter, 1954). I visited this museum in 2002.
but according to the curator of herpetology
thepythonhasalmost10m a python of that length had never been in the
must be found in a glass cabinet in the collection of the museum. the longest snake
Raffles Museum, Singapore (Coomans de would be located in the exhibition space of
rider, 1954). In 2002 I visited this mu- the museum, the Singapore Science Centre.
museum, but according to the curator, herpe- there I found in a glass case the skeleton
it is a python that never grows that long of a long reticulated python. I measured it.
been to the museum collection. The longest length. it was about 6 m.
slangzouzichinde expositieruimtevanhet
museum, the Singapore Science Centre the longest reticulated pythons imported in
There is a glass cabinet the past by Dutch zoos came from Singapore.
skeleton of a long net python present. The Rotterdam Zoo received an 8.40m long
I have measured the length of it. snake(newspaper newer rotterdam)
about 6m. Amsterdam's Artis Zoo

266
Literature of Serpents 2010 Volume 30 Number 4
The longest snakes in the world
the Dutch zoos are
imported, came from Singapore. The
Rotterdam Zoo received an 8.40
new rotterdam
Amsterdam Zoo
artist received a copy of about 8
m length (The Fatherland, 1926).

Giant pythons are still present in the

wild wind. I saw in September 2009
for example a long snake in the Kampong
Masihulan, North Seram. The beast was in
the Manusela National Park captured and
taken along. According to the local guide,
A length of 8m. See Photo 9. We
Unfortunately, the length cannot be verified.
the best sick bleached his, deceased Photo 10. Large Reticulated Python from Laos, possibly 11 m long.
was buried (Delang & Verhaart, 2009).
received a specimen of about 8m (newspaper)
in the early 20sandimported century The Fatherland, 1926.
Carl Hagenbeck Animal Park
Statements near Hamburg, Germany, many Nowadays, larger reticulated pythons are still
grotenet python suit Borneo and Sumatra.
present in the wild in September 2009 for in-
He promised a reward to those who stance, wesawa longsnake in the village
have a living and healthy net python Masihulan, West Seram. The animal was
thirty five (9m) could deliver. Hagenbeck captured in the national park Manusela and
did not believe that such grotesque lengths taken away. according to the local guide
they existed because of the large city around them The snake had a length of 8m. See photo 9.
imported animal 26 feet (7.80 m) long Unfortunately, we could not verify its length.
He received a concession in June 1909. because the animal appeared to be ill, it died
plaarvan9m(Hagenbeck, 1908). According to
and was buried (Delang & Verhaart, 2009).
Jacobson (1936) has this zoo later
received a self-seeing specimen of 10m from in the early part of the 20th century Carl
Jambi, Central Sumatra, want to be there Hagenbeck imported many large reticulated
search at the zoo park in May 1912 has pythons from Borneo and Sumatra for his zoo
I have seen the snake. The archive of the inStellingen, near Hamburg, Germany.
The zoo is unfortunately no longer accessible. he offered a reward for the one who could
gen. That has been lost in Woii. provide him with a living, healthy reticulated
python of 30 feet (9m). Hagenbeck did not
Cox (1991) has a dead net python believe that such large snakes existed be-
that was a few centimeters shorter than 10m, cause the largest animal imported by him
presumably in Thailand. was 26 feet (7.80 m) long. Yet in June 1909

267
 The maximum length ever reported he received a specimen of 9m (Hagenbeck,
For a netpython in the wild amounts to 10 1908). according to Jacobson (1936), later
m(raven, 1946). It concerns a in 1912 at this zoo even received an individual of 10m
a snake found in North Sulawesi. from Jambi, Central Sumatra, since during
The animal was through one of the local people. his visit to the zoo in May 1912, he saw that
the countdown to the arrival of the ravens snake. unfortunately the archives of the zoo
dragged to the mine camp. cannot be consulted. they were lost in WWII.
There it was with a mapping tape.
measured and photographed. The poor Cox (1991) has seen a dead reticulated.
the photo showed a basket on the enormous Python a few cm shorter than 10m, presum-
body of the snake, which is about ablyinthailand. the maximum lengthever
a foot (30 cm) thick. Visited Hagen reported for articulated python in the wild
the place where the body of the animal was is 10m (raven, 1946). it is a snake found in
thrown away. Unfortunately, nothing was caught today.1912 at a mine in north Sulawesi. the animal
remaining scents and pieces was killed by one of the locals several days ago
bot. Even the skin was not preserved. before the arrival of raven and draggedto
ven. Wild boars, birds of prey, monitors and the camp. there it was measured with a sur-
mine workers eat the animal out of measuring tape and photographed. the poor
we cleared the roads. also the rainy The picture showed a man on the huge body of water.
worked on this. the snake, which was about a foot (30 cm)
thick. Hagen visited the spot where the body
Recently, I received a photo. of the animal was discarded. unfortunately
from a very large net python that to a from the snake nothing was left but the smell
The excavator is hanging (see Photo 10). and some pieces of bone. even the skin was
a snake from the province of Sayabouri in Laos not preserved. Wild pigs, raptors, moni-
are, which is eleven long. more information about torsandmaggots were the scavengers that
Unfortunately, it is not on the photo. had cleared away the animal. also the rainy
it became clear that it indeed is about a weather took part in it.
netpython of formidable dimensions.
The specified length of elf will... Recently I received a photo of a very large
They can be rectified. It seems that reticulated python hanging from an excavation
beestdoorboswerkersisgevonden,omdat tor. See photo10. it would be a snake from
the machine looks like a device that Sayabouri province in Laos, of 11m length.
is used to clean up the woods Regrettably, I don’t have more information.
make. if the photo is not staged about this animal. in the picture it is clearly
the length of eleven is correct, is this the absolute visible that it concerns a articulated python
longest record of this species. of formidable size. the given length of 11m
could be correct. One would think the crea-
turewas found by forest workers because
the machine looks like a device used to
clean areas of forest. if the image is not a
The hoax and the length of 11m is true, it is the
absolute length record of this species.

268
Literature of Serpents 2010 Volume 30 Issue No. 4
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