Meet Verdi the Green Anaconda!

What is a Green Anaconda?

The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), also goes by a few different names including the giant anaconda, common anaconda, or common water boa. A member of the Boidae family of snakes, their scientific name Eunectes comes from the Greek word for “good swimmer”

 

Green anacondas have a beautiful color pattern with an olive green background overlaid with black design or patches along the body. They have very narrow heads compared to their body size. Their eyes are set high on the head which allows the snake to see out of the water while swimming without exposing its full body. The anaconda's jaw bones are loosely connected which allows them to open their jaws such a wide distance in order to swallow prey larger than their heads.

 

These snakes are pretty nocturnal, so they spend the majority of their day swimming in the water. They are known to “float” at the surface of the water, where their snout is only visible. They are also known to bury or burrow in mud patches, and they’ll go dormant just resting in the piles of mud. Green anacondas are very solitary snakes and prefer to be on their own most of their lifespan.

What do Green Anacondas Eat?

Since green anacondas are primarily aquatic snakes, they’’ feed on a wide variety of prey. If they have the ability to overpower it, they’ll eat large fish, birds, rodents (Capybaras) and other reptiles.

 

How Long Do Green Anacondas Live? 

Green Anacondas can live in captivity up to 30 years with proper care! However, in the wild their lifespan is a lot short, coming in at about 10 years on average.

Where Do Green Anacondas Live?

Green anacondas are native to South America east of the Andes, and can be found in several countries including Colombia, Venezuela,, Peru, Brazil, the island of Trinidad, and as far south as northern Paraguay. Green Anacondas live in swamps, marshes, and slow-moving rivers or streams. Basically anywhere in the ttropical rain forests of the Amazon.

 

Are Green Anacondas the Largest in the World?

The green anaconda is considered one of the largest and heaviest snakes in the world or snake species on the planet. They can row up to 15 feet in length. However the average adult female comes in around 15.5 feet and adult males average 9 feet. As far as weight, a typical adult can average between 70 to 150 pounds.

 

The green anaconda is recognized as the largest snake species native to the Americas. However, the world record for longest snake goes to the reticulated python.

 

Did You Know? The longest and heaviest verified Green anaconda specimen on record was a female anaconda coming in at 17 feet in length and weighing 214 pounds!

Are Green Anacondas Venomous?

No! Like all boas, it is a non-venomous constrictor. The green anacondas don't kill prey by delivering venom through a bite. Instead, constrictors wrap their bodies around their prey and squeeze until it stops breathing

Can a Green Anaconda Eat a Human? 

Contrary to the urban legend or pop culture belief, there are no confirmed reports of a green anaconda, or any anaconda, killing a human. Yes, while they are large enough to eat a human the instances of anacondas attacking humans are pretty rare because of the low human population in the areas where anacondas live.

 

Check out the YouTube videos on Green Anacondas here!