Wednesday 8 September 2021

Al Qana Super Snake - New attraction of National Aquarium, Abu Dhabi

Now Abu Dhabi is home to the Super Snake, one of the largest reptiles in the world. Residents of the United Arab Emirates will soon be able ...

Now Abu Dhabi is home to the Super Snake, one of the largest reptiles in the world. Residents of the United Arab Emirates will soon be able to visit the reticulated pythons at the Al Qana National Aquarium.

There is a new resident in Abu Dhabi and she is about to slither her way into the views of people. The Al Qana National Aquarium has just announced that it is home to a 14-year-old female python called Super Snake.

Al Qana Super Snake - New attraction of National Aquarium, Abu Dhabi

Al Qana Super Snake - New attraction Photo: National Aquarium, Abu Dhabi

Reticulated pythons are one of the longest snake breeds in the world, normally reaching a length of 6.25 metres and the largest ever recorded - 10 meters (the size of a school bus). And with a length of seven meters, the Super Snake is one of the largest snakes in the world.

It took 12 people to keep a hold of this unusual full-length reptile.

She weighs up to 115 kg, loves a diet with ducks and rabbits, swims great.

The new inhabitant of the National Aquarium, Super Snake, needs 12 people side by side to lift it to its full length.

Native to South and Southeast Asia, reticulated pythons are non-venomous; They kill their prey by wrapping and constricting it. The pythons' jaws are also tied by very flexible ligaments, which allows them to stretch around large prey and swallow it whole.

Reports of people eaten by reticulated pythons, especially on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Although an adult snake can eat deer and humans, its diet usually includes smaller rodents.

Super Snake @ 7 metre long is one of largest living Snakes on display around the world Photo: National Aquarium

Supersnake is impressively similar in size to a man-eating snake, but was born as part of a captivity program in Los Angeles and lives in captivity. Accustomed to contact with people as a specimen for the last14 years.

Beatriz Maquieira, curator at The National Aquarium said: “While Super Snake is a captive bred animal, we as her caretakers still need to be vigilant and cautious around her”. She also stated that “We can’t wait for the public to meet her and enjoy her slightly quirky personality. We are also excited about having this opportunity to educate our visitors as that is essentially why she is here.”

Although the Super Snake is in captivity, we, as its guardians, must be alert and vigilant with it. We can't wait for the public to get to know her and enjoy her slightly quirky nature. We are also delighted to have the opportunity to educate our visitors, because that's basically everything. Aquarium care takers stated.

Super Snake will live in the Flood Forest Zone along with more than 8000 rainforest creatures, where visitors can see it.

Paul Hamilton, CEO of the National Aquarium, believes that “the size and beauty of the Super Snake will make it the strongest species in the Flood Forest Collection. “Just watching her relax in her lush tropical habitat is mesmerizing. We believe Supersnake will become one of the biggest attractions of the Abu Dhabi National Aquarium.

The National Aquarium is part of Al Qana, a new seaside resort new waterfront destination in Abu Dhabi. In the capital, home to 46,000 creatures and scattered across 10 zones, it will be the largest aquarium in the Middle East and has been on the favorites list since it launched in the last quarter of year 2021. It will be staffed by a team of 80 marine experts and specialists.