International media reported that the python found in Paya Terubong in Penang on Thursday could potentially break a Guinness World Record for being the longest reptile ever discovered in the history of humankind.

The Guardian, the python – which died on Monday and laid an egg on Sunday – was presumably the longest ever recorded.

The python was found on a highway construction site along Jalan Paya Terubong, Relau on Thursday.

"It is 8-metre long and weighed at 250kg," said an official of the Civil Defence Department (JPAM) Herme Herisyam told The Guardian in a recent interview.

The length however, remained questionable. English daily, The Star on Monday reported that the reptile measured at 7.5-metre.

Python
It took eight JPAM rescuers to carry the python found in Paya Terubong in Pulau Pinang on Thursday. -BERNAMApic

The current record holder is a python from Missouri, United States which measured 7.67-metre in length and weighed 158.8kg.

JPAM Barat Daya went to the location after being notified by the public. JPAM is expected to provide more details on the python today.

The story received global attention with news reports published in The Guardian, Telegraph, BBC News, Newsweek and The Independent.