Green Anaconda
Eunectes murinus
- Where
- South America, especially Amazon basin wetlands
- Habitat
- Swamps, slow rivers, and flooded forests
- Diet
- Carnivore — constricts fish, birds, mammals
- Size
- One of the heaviest snakes; can exceed 20+ feet
- Lifespan
- Often 10+ years in the wild
- Conservation
- Habitat quality matters; wetlands face pressure from development and pollution.
Fun Facts
- Anacondas are not venomous — they squeeze prey instead.
- They spend much of their time in water, which supports their heavy bodies.
- Females are usually larger than males.
Learn More
The green anaconda is a giant constrictor of South American wetlands. Its olive pattern hides it among plants and murky water.
After a large meal, an anaconda may rest for days or weeks while digesting.
Like many reptiles, anacondas depend on warm temperatures to stay active.