KUALA LUMPUR • A quarter-tonne snake that could be the longest-ever captured in Malaysia has died, officials said on Sunday.

The reticulated python was a whopping 7.5m long and weighed a staggering 250kg. The giant creature was discovered on Penang island by construction workers and kept in an office, where it was fed and watered, while wildlife experts were contacted.

However, it died on Sunday after laying an egg, a spokesman for the civil defence department said.

"We are so sad this happened," said the spokesman. "We have rescued many other snakes and animals before. We are not sure why the snake died. We fed it mice, other meats and gave (it) water, just like we gave other snakes in the past."

Curious locals had flocked to catch a glimpse of the reptile, with one person offering RM10,000 (S$3,500) for it, The Star reported.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE