Captured python could be world's longest snake

A huge python found by workers on a construction site in Malaysia could be the longest snake ever caught.

The reticulated python, a species found in Southeast Asia, is estimated to be 8m (26ft).

It was spotted curled under a tree by workers building a new flyover in Paya Terubong on the holiday island of Penang.

They called the Civil Defence Department, which then took about half an hour to capture the snake.

Herme Herisyam, from Malaysia’s civil defence force, told the Guardian newspaper: "It is 8m in length and weighs about 250kg (551lbs)."

The Guinness Book of World Records says the current record holder is Medusa, a 7.3m (24ft) reticulated python which lives in Missouri in the United States.

Officials will have to verify that the snake is the longest ever captured before it can be officially confirmed as a record breaker.

It is currently being held at the civil defence headquarters, but will be handed to the state wildlife department.

There could still be longer snakes living in the wild. 

In 1912, a python found and shot in Indonesia was reported to be 10m (33ft).

And in 2009, scientists in Colombia found the fossilised bones of a snake that is believed to have reached 12.8m (42ft).