[Columbia, SC] - The female reticulated python that is currently on exhibit in the Aquarium Reptile Complex has been named the Queen of the Riverbanks Jungle. On Wednesday morning, staff at Riverbanks weighed and measured the female reticulated python and the female green anaconda to determine who was the largest and the longest snake at the Zoo. The weighing and measuring was held in conjunction with the move of the anaconda from a 90-day quarantine period to her exhibit in Riverbanks’ Aquarium Reptile Complex.

The reticulated python weighed 144 pounds and was 17 feet long while the anaconda weighed in at 109 pounds and 14 feet long. Anacondas are generally considered the world's largest snake; however, both the anaconda and reticulated python have been reported to attain lengths of more than 30 feet, so there has been debate as to which species is actually the biggest. The reticulated python and anaconda at Riverbanks can potentially grow to more than double their current size.

The anaconda has been on loan to the South Carolina Aquarium for the past two years. Native to South America, anacondas can be found in tropical rainforests, savannas, grasslands, scrub forests and deciduous forests. Anacondas are dark green in color with black oval patches.

The reticulated python is on loan from the Nashville Zoo. Reticulated pythons can be found in Asia, stretching from India all the way to the island of the Philippines and Indonesia. Distinctive colors and patterns on its scales give the reticulated python its name.

Snake lovers interested in checking out the Queen of the Riverbanks Jungle and the anaconda can find them both on exhibit in the Tropical Habitat Gallery of the Aquarium Reptile Complex.