Largest snake in captivity

Medusa, the Reticulated Python, holds the official world record breaking measurement of 25 feet 2 inches long (7.67 meters) from October 12, 2011. This makes Medusa the largest snake ever in captivity. She has not had her new official length reported since this time.

Full Moon Productions in Kansas City, Missouri, USA owns this approximately 400 lb (181.4 kilogram) reptile beast that is one of the star attractions at the Edge of Hell Haunted House (the grandaddy of haunted houses, established in 1975 and still recognized as one of the best and scariest haunted houses in the world).

The 13-year-old, was born October 13, 2004 and loves her working status within the cavernous turn-of-the-century brick warehouse. Medusa’s primary diet consists of a combination of rabbits, hogs and deer, served to her every two weeks – but she enjoys rats for a fun snack. Handlers know she has a vibration like a purr she will make when she is rubbed and happy and enjoys swimming in a pool made especially for her. She has other snake friends at the haunted house, but she is truly the Queen of Snakes and sometimes pairs up with one of her owners the Queen of Haunts.

“Medusa’s requires 20 strong handlers to safely carry her and we always keep Rat Man at the tail end. She fits in perfectly in the Edge of Hell Haunted House that is focused on phobias,” said Amber Arnett-Bequeaith, Full Moon Production’s Vice President, a.k.a. Queen of Haunts. “We are confident she’ll enjoy her milestone on October 13 and does not feel unlucky.  Medusa is a bit of a snake charmer mesmerizing guests who sometimes cannot fathom this is the real deal!” 

Inside the Edge of Hell!

The haunted house staff knows her as the sloppiest eater within The Edge of Hell Haunted House attraction, as she’s been known to accidentally bite into herself instead of her dinner. While a python’s behavior could be wild and unpredictable, Medusa is typically tolerable and respectable of others unless agitated, hungry or provoked.

According to Medusa’s handler and Edge of Hell’s general manager, Larry Edgar, “We try to keep Medusa well-fed and slightly out of reach as there have been instances with Reticulated Pythons where they’ve had to cut people out of them! We never underestimate that she does always have the upper-hand.”

During the Haunted House season, Medusa enters into a performance mentality; a state the owners call her “stealth mode,” in which the snake remains extremely still as patrons pass by.

She has also been known to “purr” like a cat when content and “huff” or “hiss” if she’s distressed or annoyed.

Medusa prefers that Larry assists with her shedding and if the python has any spots that prove tough to shed, she will nudge him for assistance.

The Worlds Largest Snake

Meet “Medusa, the world’s largest snake” living in captivity. Medusa is a seven year old Reticulated Python. Reticulated Pythons can live to be 25-30 years old.

Medusa is owned by Full Moon Productions Inc. in Kansas City Missouri, and has been raised and cared for by snake handler Larry Edgar. Larry has been handling and raising snakes for over 30 years. Medusa is of course the largest snake Larry has ever raised.

At Medusa’s last measuring, she came in at a few inches over 25 feet long and weighs well over 300 lbs. It is very rare for a reticulated python to grow anywhere near the size and weight of Medusa, especially while being raised in captivity.  The previous official Guinness record is 24 feet.