I usually try to come up with some sort of clever, topical opening line to kick off my stories. But with this one, I’m simply reacting to the video of this massive reticulated python that’s surfaced online. I already know – with around 95 percent certainty – that I’m going to wake up in a cold sweat tonight after some sort of snake nightmare.
And speaking of nightmares, the country of Thailand has recently been hit with torrential downpours from a monsoon. The vast and seemingly endless amounts of rain have wreaked havoc on the the southern provinces of Pattani, Phatthalung, Narathiwat, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla.
@bangkokpost.official PATTANI – This large snake, probably a python, was seen bobbing around in the floodwater in southern Thailand, causing some consternation. Many viewers pointed out it was dead, the movement caused by the flowing water, and its swollen belly indicated it had eaten recently – maybe a local dog. #flood #flooding #floods #southernthailand #snake #giantsnake #largesnake #python #reptiles #viper #pattani #น้ำท่วมภาคใต้ #น้ำท่วม67 #ปัตตานี #งูใหญ่ #งูยักษ์ #snakesoftiktok #snakes #สัตว์โลกtiktok #งูหลาม #งูเหลือม #ข่าวtiktok ♬ original sound – Bangkok Post
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has reported that at least 25 people have died from flash flooding and landslides triggered by the monsoon rain, and over 33,000 people have been displaced and forced to leave their homes. It’s truly a devastating natural disaster.
While relief and rescue efforts are underway, videos of the destruction and devastation have made their way onto the internet – as well as this wild video that seems to show a giant, bloated reticulated python floating in the flood waters. It’s hard to fathom that snakes this large exist on this planet.
This species is native to South and Southeast Asia, is among the three heaviest, and does hold the title of “world’s longest snake.” The reticulated python is commonly hunted for its skin to be used for medicinal purposes and is also popular as a pet (some people like to press their luck, I suppose).