Green Anaconda

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Green Anaconda
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Boidae Genus: Eunectes Species: E. murinus
Binomial name
Eunectes murinus Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Boa murina Linnaeus, 1758 Boa scytale Linnaeus, 1758 Boa gigas Latreille, 1802 Eunectes barbouri Dunn & Conant, 1936

The Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is an anaconda. It is the largest member of the boa family of snakes and the most heavy bodied member of the super-order Squamata.

Contents 1 Description 2 Geographic range 3 Behavior 4 Reproduction 5 References

[edit] Description

It is among the largest snakes in the world, with recorded (but unverified) measurements of 8.45 m (27.7 feet) and 9.6 m (31.5 feet), though average size is closer to 18 feet.^{[citation needed]} It rivals the Reticulated Python for length, but is typically considerably heavier. It can weigh 250 kg (551 lb) and have a girth of more than 30 cm (11.8 inches) in diameter.^{[citation needed]} The Green Anaconda might be the most exaggerated animal on earth in terms of size, with reports of lengths ranging up to a 40 m (131 feet). Probably the largest snake ever actually measured was a shot-but-not-killed female near the Colombia-Venezuela border in 1944.^{[citation needed]} This unweighed giant was measured as being 11.43 m (37.5 feet), before it apparently slithered off from its hunter, who thought it died.^{[citation needed]} Females are significantly larger than males, having the largest sexual dimorphism of all the snakes.

Their primary overall color is an olive green, with black blotches that run the length of the body. Their head is narrow compared to the rest of the body, with most exhibiting distinctive orange-yellow striping on either side. Their eyes are set high on their head so as to allow the snake to be able to see out of the water without exposing the rest of its body.

[edit] Geographic range

Green Anacondas are found mainly in northern South America (Amazon and Orinoco basins), in Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, northern Bolivia, northeast Peru, Guyana, and the island of Trinidad.

[edit] Behavior

Green anacondas, like all anacondas, are primarily aquatic. They eat a wide variety of prey, almost anything they can manage to overpower, including: fish, birds, a variety of mammals, and other reptiles. Particularly large anacondas may even consume large prey such as tapir, deer, capybara, caiman, and sometimes crocodiles and jaguars, but such large meals are not regularly consumed. They employ constriction to subdue their prey. Cannibalism among green anacondas is also known, most recorded cases involving a larger female consuming a smaller male. Scientists cite several possible reasons for this, including the dramatic sexual dimorphism in the species and the possibility that female anacondas require additional food intake after breeding to sustain their long gestation period and the male simply being an opportunistic prey item, but the exact reason is not understood.^[1] In captivity, anacondas are known for their aggressive disposition.^[2]

[edit] Reproduction

Anacondas are ovoviviparous. Copulation takes place during the rainy season, typically in the water. Gestation is approximately 6 months. Litter size averages 20-40 young, but as many as 100 are possible. Sexual maturity is reached between 2 and 3 years of age.

[edit] References

• Nashville Zoo: Green Anaconda
• Species Eunectes murinus at the Species2000 Database
• Reports about green Anaconda's cannibalism

1. ^ Eunectes murinus (Green Anaconda): Cannibalism
2. ^ LLLReptile: Green Anaconda Captive Care