World’s Longest Snake Recorded in Indonesia’s Sulawesi Forests

A giant female reticulated python discovered in the forests of Sulawesi, Indonesia, has officially been recognised as the longest measured snake in the world. The confirmation was made by the “Guinness Book of World Records”, marking a rare and remarkable milestone in wildlife documentation.

Record-Breaking Measurement

The snake, scientifically known as “Malayopython reticulatus”, was measured at 7.22 metres (23 feet 8 inches). Nicknamed “Ibu Baron” or “The Baroness”, the python’s length is so extensive that it would span the entire width of a standard FIFA goalpost. Guinness officials noted that if measured under full muscular relaxation, the snake could potentially be nearly 10 per cent longer, though this was not attempted due to animal welfare concerns.

Discovery and Conservation Effort

Ibu Baron was found in Maros County on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi in December 2025. The snake was rescued and protected by local conservationist “Budi Purwanto”, who ensured the animal was not harmed after its discovery. His swift action was credited as critical in safeguarding the snake before scientific assessment could take place.

Verification by Wildlife Experts

The python was assessed and measured by “Diaz Nugraha”, a licensed wildlife rescuer from Kalimantan, and “Radu Frentiu”, a long-time resident of Bali. The discovery details were relayed to Guinness with assistance from “George Beccaloni”, ensuring independent verification of the record.

Important Facts for Exams

• Reticulated python is the world’s longest snake species.
• It is native to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.
• Guinness records prioritise animal welfare in measurements.
• Sulawesi is a biodiversity-rich Indonesian island.

Ecological Context and Human Encounters

Reticulated pythons are apex predators and are capable of killing humans through constriction. Indonesia has recorded rare but documented cases of such attacks, including two fatalities in South Sulawesi in 2024. The discovery of Ibu Baron underscores both the extraordinary biodiversity of Indonesia’s forests and the importance of conservation-driven coexistence between humans and large wildlife species.