Species profile

Name: the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) – also known as the common anaconda and water boa – is a large, non-venomous snake found in South America. The name anaconda is often used to specifically refer to this species although can apply to other members of the the genus Eunectes.

Appearance: green anacondas have olive green skin overlaid with black markings along the length of their bodies. Their heads are narrow and have distinctive orange-yellow stripes on either side. The eyes are set high on the head, allowing them to see while submerged in water.

Size: they are the world’s heaviest snakes – weighing around 30 to 70 kg – and one of the world’s longest – reaching up to 5.2 metres long.

Diet: they eat a wide variety of prey including fish, birds, mammals, and reptiles. Large anacondas can even consume species such as tapir, deer, capybara, caiman, and even jaguar.

Did you know: there are reports of anacondas reaching 12 metres in length although hard evidence of such monsters is lacking. The remote location of the green anaconda’s habitat means finding clear evidence is challenging. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the anaconda has been subject to the most extreme size exaggerations of any living animal. At the same time, it is difficult to know what the maximum possible size could be as they are known to continue to grow throughout their lives.

Location: they live in swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams in the tropical rainforests of the Amazon and Orinoco basins.

Best places to see anacondas

According to reports submitted to WildSide, the best places to see green anaconda are as follows:

Photo credit: ddouk under a Creative Commons license from Pixabay