Green Anaconda

Overview

The green anaconda is the heaviest snake species in the world, a massive non-venomous constrictor found in the swamps, rivers, and flooded grasslands of South America. Unlike many large snakes, it spends much of its time submerged in water, where its bulk is supported and it can ambush prey coming to drink.

Appearance

It has an enormously thick, muscular body covered in dark green to olive-brown scales patterned with black oval blotches, small eyes and nostrils positioned high on its head to allow it to see and breathe while mostly submerged, and no venom or fangs. Females are considerably larger and heavier than males, an unusual size difference among snakes.

Habitat & Distribution

The green anaconda is found in rainforest, wetlands habitats.

Diet & Behavior

Diet: Carnivore — Meat-eating animals that hunt, scavenge, or fish for prey, ranging from big cats to snakes and birds of prey.

Green anacondas hunt primarily by ambush, lying motionless in water or dense vegetation before striking and wrapping around prey in powerful coils that tighten with each exhale the prey takes, eventually cutting off blood flow rather than crushing bones. After a large meal, an anaconda can go weeks or even months without needing to eat again, conserving energy by remaining largely inactive during digestion.

Interesting Facts

• 1

  The green anaconda is the heaviest snake species in the world, with large females weighing close to 100kg.

• 2

  Female green anacondas are significantly larger than males, an unusual pattern among snakes.

• 3

  It kills prey through constriction, tightening its coils with each breath the prey exhales until blood flow stops, rather than by crushing bones.

• 4

  After a large meal, a green anaconda can go weeks or months without eating again.

• 5

  It spends much of its life in water, where its considerable bulk is easier to support than on land.

Gallery

Green Anaconda FAQs