Green Anaconda

Green Anacondas are the heaviest snakes in the world. They have a green coloration on the back, gradually changing to yellow on the belly, with dark round spots all over the body. They have small eyes, positioned on top of the head, followed by a prominent black post-ocular band, which runs from the eye to the angle of the jaw. In this species, females are larger than males.

It is a semi-aquatic species, with crepuscular and solitary habits. They can always be found near wetlands and are excellent swimmers. Considered a generalist predator, it feeds on various aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. It is not a poisonous species and kills prey by constriction. Their jaws are connected by elastic ligaments, which allow them to swallow their prey whole. It is an ovoviviparous species, giving birth to its young after 5 to 7 months of incubation. Females usually breed only once every 2-3 years.

The Green Anaconda lives in many protected areas and indigenous reserves all over its range. For this reason, most of its natural habitat is well preserved. Its main threat is persecution. More environmental education campaigns about the species are needed in local communities to inform the population and prevent its capture. The number of individuals in the wild is unknown.