Quote:
Originally Posted by bronxzoofrank
Hi All,
Estimates via viewing or photo are notoriously unreliable. I can only repeat that I was on hand for the measurements, and have been in zoo/field research for 30+ years. But the figures and individual snakes mentioned have been tossed about and argued over for far too long, so I'll leave it at that, and post any new info as it becomes available.
Pope's classic Giant Snakes is a very interesting read on the subject; much anecdotal, but very good as a historical perspective. The natural history notes sections of Herpetologica, Copeia and Herpetological Review are very good sources of accurate info re size, but unfortunately are often not available at libraries and rather expensive. Best, Frank
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Hi,
I have footage of Samantha being measured in 1999.
I'm not sure if this link will work outside of the uk but here it is.
Big Snake - 4oD - Channel 4
Samantha was obtained by the zoo in 1993 after being captured as an adult in 1992.
When she was measured in 1999 she had been at the zoo for 6-7 years and would have been between 15-20 years of age.
Retics do not grow after this age and they certainley don't grow another 3 foot in as many years as Samantha sadly died 3 years later in 2002.
On the documentary they we're trying to find a 30 foot plus snake and so were not in the habbit of downsizing snakes. They measured Samantha and the average was just below 23 foot. Still an absolutley massive snake and probably the biggest in captivity but if you google 'Fragant flower' who is confirmed at 22 foot 9 inches you'll know that Samantha wasn't a whole 3 foot longer.
I have two 6 year old adult retics , one at 16 foot and one at just over 19 foot. The difference in size with these 2 snakes is immense, Samantha would need to have the same immense size difference compared to 'Fragant Flower' and the other giants of our time. Samantha was very long and very well fed but unfortunaely I've yet to see evidence of her being 26 foot.
I hope the link works as at the end they find a very skinny 23.5 foot long retic that if genuinley that size would be the longest ever recorded. I have doubts though as they dont show the measuring as such and unfortunately they kill and eat her in a very unhumane manner.
Best,
Neil
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