Snakes alive! Zoo claims world record

Fans of all creatures great and not-so-small will no doubt be intrigued to hear that a zoo in Indonesia claims to have captured the world’s biggest snake. The monster python, which is claimed to measure some 15 metres and weigh 450 kilos, is currently being held at Curugsewu zoo, on the island of Java. The country was reportedly alerted to the animal’s existence with a double-page picture in the Republika newspaper; hundreds have already visited the zoo to check out the giant serpent. If and when the creature’s measurements are verified, they will easily beat all previous records. The Guinness Book of Records states that the longest snake in captivity measured 9.75 metres, while the heaviest weighed a paltry 182 kilograms. The Republika newspaper reportedly states that the giant snake, which was caught last year but was only recently put on display, eats “three or four dogs a month”.