Since ancient times, snakes have been the protagonists in countless legends and myths with their mysterious and powerful powers. They are endowed with awesome powers, as if they are rulers of nature.

In modern times, although humans have considered themselves to be the masters of the earth, many people still feel fear when it comes to snakes. The source of fear seems to come from the depths of ancient memory. The instinctive vigilance ingrained in our genes hints at the unknown threats and potential venom posed by snakes.

Snakes hold many secrets in nature, and their life history has aroused mankind's desire to explore. Many people are curious: How big can snakes get and how dangerous are they?

01 The legend of the snake clan in mythology

The ancient document "The Classic of Mountains and Seas" contains the characteristics of many strange creatures. Among them, Zhu Jiuyin is a creature with a human face and a snake body. The image of the figure is so vivid in the literature that people can't help but imagine whether its huge figure really wandered around the world.

In addition, in ancient Greek culture, snakes also played an important role and were depicted as powerful Titans, ruling every corner of the mythical world. In the modern cultural work "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", the images of mythical pythons have also inspired a new round of public curiosity about ancient mythical creatures in a more concrete way.

This superstition and respect for snakes is also reflected in cultural practice. In Europe in the early 19th century, noble princes and nobles often used snakes as a symbol of their power and wealth.

Their obsession with snakes even influenced superstitious behaviors at the time, such as witchcraft and witch doctors, who used the image of snakes as amulets or treatments. In this cultural context, the python became the object of pursuit and reward, but those hunters and traders who responded to the call often did so in vain.

02 Are giant pythons really present in the Qinling Mountains?

At the foot of the Qinling Mountains, the legendary giant python seems to live beside every village. It has become a cultural symbol and has witnessed the growth of one generation after another.

The Qinling Mountains have majestic mountains and spectacular scenery. From ancient times to the present, its cultural and geographical status is extraordinary and it is known as the backbone of Chinese civilization. Mount Taiyi, the birthplace of the Quanzhen sect of Taoism, is located here. Legends of mythical beasts and guardian spirits make this place even more mysterious.

But from a scientific perspective, snakes need specific environmental conditions to survive, especially large snakes such as pythons. The extreme climate and unique geographical location of the Qinling Mountains are not suitable for the survival of giant pythons.

At the same time, if such huge snakes exist, their size and personality should be easily discovered by humans. Therefore, from a scientific point of view, it is impossible for the legendary giant python to exist in the Qinling area.

03 How big is the largest snake in the world?

Although scientific research shows that ancient giant pythons are extinct, we cannot deny that in ancient times, there did exist a huge snake - Titanoboa. The existence of these giant pythons is the product of specific ancient environments and ecosystems. Today's earth's environment has undergone earth-shaking changes, and giant snakes such as Titanoboa no longer exist.

Among the currently known snake species, the reticulated python and the Amazon anaconda are undoubtedly contenders for the title. The former is famous for his length, while the latter attracts attention for his massive weight. Although these existing large snake species may be difficult to see in the wild, they are relatively common in the pet market. Under the careful raising of humans, they have grown in size, and some have even become household pets.

As for the record of the longest snake in the world, although there is controversy, there is evidence that a reticulated python named "Osmanthus" may be the holder of this record. Its size and weight are astonishing, and it has become a world-class focus; it is said that the reticulated python has a body length of 14.85 meters and a weight of 447 kilograms.

Summary

From ancient mythology to modern science, snakes have always been the object of human curiosity and awe. Various legends about giant pythons, although they may be just legends, add a lot of mystery to the Qinling Mountains, making this ancient land even more charming.

I hope this article can provide you with a deeper understanding of snakes, and at the same time bring you the fun of exploring the mysteries of nature!