Anacondas originated from aquatic boa species or are part of the Boa Constrictor family inhabiting the swamps and rivers of the dense forests of tropical South America. The Yellow Anaconda can be found from south Argentina. The original of the name is not known but may be it is likely due to its vague similarity to the large Asian pythons.
Anacondas are semi-aquatic spending most of their time in swamps, and slow-moving streams. In fact the first part of all four species names (the generic name) is Eunectes which is derived from Greek for good swimmer. They do not maneuver well on land but in the water they maneuver very well. They all have eyes and nostrils set high on their heads enabling them to remain almost completely submerged while waiting for prey to approach.
They are found in the Amazon jungles of South America, they live near rivers, lakes and swamps and like to live alone. Water is their main escape method when confronted with danger. Rather than attacking they will choose to slide into the water unnoticed, if possible. Anacondas eat amphibious animals, like frogs & toads, as well as fish, caiman, birds, ducks and turtles.
TYPES
There are four types of Anaconda snakes;
1. Green Anaconda snakes
2. Bolivian Anaconda snakes
3. Yellow Anaconda snakes
4. Dark-Spotted Anaconda snakes
1. Green Anaconda Snakes
Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus), is a massive and one of the world’s best-known snakes. It can grow up to 9 m (29 feet) in length and weigh up to 250 Kg (550 pounds) makes it the largest snake in the world. These snakes feed on wild pigs, deer and even jaguars. After a particularly large kill, a green anaconda can go for months without eating again. Green anaconda babies are born predators, able to swim and hunt from birth.
They have body diameter of 12 inches (30 cm) and more. The Females Anaconda have greater body size than males.
2. Bolivian Anaconda Snakes
Bolivian Anaconda (Eunectes beniensis), is a nonvenomous boa species found in northeastern parts Beni Province of Bolivia and much less common than Green Anaconda, It can grow up to 13 feet ( 4 meters).
It is brown with some black spots across its body. It was discovered in the year 2002, and very little information is known about the snake, but now there are more ongoing research about the snake.
3. Yellow Anaconda Snakes
Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), is smaller than both Green and bolivian anaconda, but sometimes may be larger than bolivian anacondas because their length varies from 3.3 to 4.4 meters. Can weigh up to 25 to 35 Kg and more, also females are larger than males.
Their colours range from yellow to light green also have black or brown patches and streaks.
4. Dark-Spoted Anaconda Snakes
Dark-spoted Anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei), have brown colour with large dark spots. It is not as common as the Green or Yellow Anacondas. Can grow up to 3 meters long and weigh up to 30 kg. It is rare specie and their natural habitat is northern Brazil and French Guiana.
HABITAT
Anacondas live in tropical rivers and swamps, either in the rainforests or grasslands. They thrive in the heat, humidity and dense foliage of the rainforest. They spend most of their time swimming or lurking in murky, sluggish rivers and slow-moving streams.
During the day time they normally sun themselves on branches found around streams or river banks so as to make easier for them to drop in water any moment if needed.
DIET
Anacondas eat pigs, deer, caiman, birds, fish, rodents, and other animals. After eating a large animal, the anaconda needs no food for a long time, and rests for weeks. All snakes including Anacondas are carnivores (meat-eaters). Anacondas kill by constricting (squeezing) the prey until it can no longer breathe.
They normally hunt at night. Sometimes they drown the prey. Like all snakes, they swallow the prey whole, head first. The anaconda's top and bottom jaws are attached to each other with stretchy ligaments, which let the snake swallow animals wider than itself. Snakes do not chew their food, they digest it with quite strong acids in the snake's stomach.
REPRODUCTION
They reproduce sexually by mating, usually mate during the spring time (between April and May). This is the time when females will either emit airborne chemicals or scent trails to let the males know that they are ready for mating. During breeding, the anacondas often cluster in a breeding ball that may consist of 2 - 12 males coiled around one female.
They are ovoviviparous reptiles. This means that they produce eggs but will not lay them, the eggs will hatch inside the female’s body and give birth to live young snakes just like other mammals give birth to offspring.
NOTE
The above explanations are just a little of what I know about Anaconda snakes, If I discover more other snakes features I'll update this post Later. Keep on visiting my blog for more best posts, Thank you for your support.
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