An anaconda is a giant water-loving snake that is found in tropical South America. It is one of the two largest snakes in the world. There are stories of giant anacondas reaching more than 50 feet (15 meters) in length. Disappearances of people in the jungles of South America are often blamed on the snakes. However, scientists believe such long lengths are exaggerated and that human deaths by anacondas are rare. Physical featuresThe largest anacondas reach about 30 feet (9 meters) in length, but most only grow to about 16 feet (5 meters). Only certain pythons grow longer. Anacondas are, however, the most massive snakes, and many people consider them the world's largest because of both their great weight and length. Some weigh 550 pounds (249 kilograms) and have thick, bulky bodies measuring 12 inches (30 centimeters) or more around. Types of anacondasThere are two types of anacondas, the giant, or green, anaconda and the yellow anaconda. The largest is the giant anaconda. It lives in or near the water of slow-moving rivers and streams in the rain forests of northeastern South America and on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. The giant anaconda is typically brown or olive green in color and spotted with large, black, oval patches. The yellow anaconda lives further south. Its skin is tan or greenish yellow with black, overlapping spots across its back. Both types have eyes and nostrils on the top of the head, which allow the animal to see and breathe while lying hidden in water or mud. Hunting habitsAnacondas usually hunt at night for mammals, reptiles, and birds. They are known to hunt animals as large as a young deer, but they usually do not try to capture an animal weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms). The snake hunts by surprising its prey. It quickly coils its body around the animal and squeezes until the animal can no longer breathe. Sometimes the anaconda pulls its prey under water and drowns it. It may also crawl on land and even climb into trees to capture birds. Life cycleFemale anacondas give birth to large litters. A typical litter has 14–82 young that each measure more than 2 feet (0.6 meter) long. Many of these young become prey for other animals. In captivity, anacondas may survive up to about 30 years. |