Draped in the lush, untamed wilderness of Africa, where dense rainforests guard secrets as old as the earth itself, the Congo Snake legend gracefully coils into the pages of cryptozoology. A story that is both majestic and spooky as it handles a sighting of a monstrous version of a snake that we have never seen, and the dimensions and physique described in the story stretch the limits of science. This mysterious creature, which is rumored to live somewhere in the Congo Basin, continues to be a hot topic for sceptics and believers alike, mixing folklore with a small dash of mystery.
Legend Of The 50 Foot Congo Snake
Colonel Van Lierde sees the black object
On one occasion in 1959, while conducting helicopter patrols over the Katanga region of the Congo, Colonel Remy Van Lierde a Belgian pilot with many operational hours under his belt made a remarkable statement. He claimed to have seen a massive snake he claimed was 50 feet long. The former military figure and helicopter test pilot then backed up this claim by explaining that he saw the area while flying and his background gave him a high level of expertise in flight operations. He described the snake as black-green with brown scales with a white belt running along the belly – a beautiful, but terrifying, animal which he said could effortlessly eat a man.
The story began in a later interview in 1980 when Van Lierde said the snake lifted about 30 feet of its body into the air, level with the helicopter. This would make for an interesting enough story in cryptozoology, as claims this bold would certainly fire up memories and imaginations alike, some are interested, and others doubt researchers.
Aerial Overview and Overall Dimensions of Congo Snake
The size of the snake shocked Van Lierde and his co-pilot. The creature was spotted a few hundred feet up in the air, and they went in for a closer look and obtained pictures to prove it. The width of the snake head was estimated to be about 2 ft wide, which makes it much larger than any known extant snake species today. His story also resulted in multiple examinations of the blurry photograph from the encounter. Those who criticized or praised the size of the snake in the photo, however, were only able to do so by comparing it to nearby trees — which made some suggest the snake may have been “optically” misidentified as being quite large due to the fact that other images of trees behind the snake were seen.
While this story is quite the yarn, herpetological experts are in fundamental agreement that such a snake does not exist today, with no evidence to support Van Lierde’s story capable of being independently verified. Present-day largest snakes (not reptiles, all snakes) like the reticulated python and the green anaconda do not exceed 10 meters (=33 feet).
This has left ample room for skepticism as to whether the entity Van Lierde took to be real or a visual perception blown out of proportion by the mechanics of airborne perspective.
Skepticism Among Experts regarding Congo Snake
While experts agree the largest snake species native to Africa (the African rock python) tends to be around 10 to 20 feet, the 50-foot behemoth Van Lierde described is far wider than any ever documented. This gap in size has led both herpetologists and cryptozoologists to scrutinize the reports. Nothing of the snake itself has ever been discovered leaving the outright impossibility of something so gigantic existing.
Though it makes Van Lierde’s testimony interesting, the same skepticism grounded in the realm of science overcomes it.
To be clear, such extraordinary claims (like a still-extant immortal Megatherium) demand extraordinary evidence; the lack of survivors, remains, or even any functional way to study such things only adds to the difficulty for proponents of undiscovered megafauna. The discourse going on about the alleged 50-foot snake of the Congo rides varied, if not thin, lines between folklore, legend, and the scientific method, providing for plenty of conjecture and debate.
The Other Side of the Congo Snake: African Rock Python
Identification of the Species
Many sensational stories exist about giant snakes, what many people mean when they refer to the Congo snake is a large–but rather ordinary–snake that inhabits the Congo Basin, the African rock python (Python sebae). The African rock python is one of the largest python species in the world, with some individuals growing over 20 feet, although these lengths are rare, and are especially remarkable for their large girth and strength. What was also striking, however, was how much smaller the specimens we see are, and in fact, this tells us that this is likely a creature perfectly at home in its own ecological niche, not some sort of mythical giant.
Physiological Characteristics of the Rock Python
The African rock python is a nonvenomous constrictor that has a stout body and patterned skin that blends among the foliage, which it uses to ambush prey in its natural environment. Its coloring ranges from brown to tan with darker blotches that allow it to disappear among the underbrush, a necessity for its predatory lifestyle. Powerful jaws armed with sharp teeth for gripping prey, and temperature pits to detect warm-blooded animals in darkness.
Common Myths vs. Facts about Congo Snake
Most stories about bigger reptilian species are derived from misconceptions regarding the ability of known snakes. Herpetologists would argue otherwise, as there are biological realities that counter these claims about super-sized pythons. Similarly, social views of snakes that are seen as dangerous or massive may also provide an impetus for investigating such myths, as societies imbue terror and majesty on such creatures. Murmurs of legendary extents inevitably evoke imagery of dread, thus entrenching the mythos vs empirical battleground that scientific inquiry always seems to tread upon.
Setting the scene for cryptids in Africa
Further Cryptid Tales from the Area
The Congo region presents perhaps the most rich and diverse tapestry of cryptozoological claims with supposed beasts reported throughout the region. These include the mokele-mbembe, a ‘dinosaur-like’ beast that has sparked imaginations, and explorations over the years. These stories illustrate a cultural inclination for anthropomorphizing nature as well as humanity’s ancient desire to personify the unknown.
Comparisons with Mokele-Mbembe
Like the 50-foot Congo Snake narratives, the mokele-mbembe legend is one of fear and awe at living creatures seemingly left over from a bygone era.
Numerous accounts have given very detailed descriptions of a long-necked, sauropod-like creature that dwells in the waters of the Congo.
But despite all the eyewitness accounts, accounts received from distances up to half a mile, under no circumstances is there substantial evidence to support mokele-mbembe mysteries. This has led researchers to speculate how reports have come about by mistaking known animals like elephants and large hippos hidden in thick foliage.
Mythological Creatures in Cultural History
From the Congo snake and Mokele-mbembe, the cultural consequences of such legends go beyond simple folklore. Such stories contribute to local identities and interpretations of natural phenomena. This belief in such creatures alludes to a fundamental part of human nature, our struggles to come to terms with our place in nature and the wild, and our inherent curiosity about what exists beyond the boundary of the known. Stories about such beasts are part of the larger environmental conservation and biodiversity discussion and remind us of the necessity of studying, comprehending, and preserving the fragile ecosystems where such real animals are found.
Why Giant Snakes Exist According to Science
Historical Records of Large Snakes
The historical record of encounters with giant snakes stretches through the known ages of humanity, one that seems to be strongly influenced by local environmental conditions, and the mysteries of nature. Instead, the appeal of these mythical leviathans is well-documented in folklore and myth.
But as with the tales of the Congo snake, it would be remiss to confuse fact with fiction.
Titanoboa: The Largest Ancient Snake
Recent scientific discoveries have revealed the Titanoboa, an extinct snake species (armor snake), that slithered around between 58 and 60 million years ago. Unlike the modern species that fill the headlines today, this gigantic animal was 40 to 45 feet long or more. Evidence found in Colombian rocks points to a giant reptile that dwelled in swampy habitats. Although Titanoboa is now long gone, the changes in environment have eliminated any descendant trace.
Conservation Status of Current Species
Today, some of the most closely related species, such as the African rock python, are threatened by habitat destruction, hunting, and the international wildlife trade. Their conservation efforts all illustrate the importance of teaching communities about the ecological roles that these amazing animals play. More awareness of the real conservation situation of the last populations of snakes allows a respectful appreciation and making sure the debate will move on regarding the defense of this important part of our biodiversity. In understanding that reality, society can better balance the myths that drive both adventure and wonder so that the species in question can continue roaming habitats known and unknown.
