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Presentation
The green anaconda is one of the world's largest snakes, recognizable by its brilliant green coloration that camouflages it perfectly in aquatic vegetation. This semi-aquatic constrictor snake is perfectly adapted to life in the humid environments of South America, where it reigns as a dominant predator.
Robust and massive body, covered with smooth scales ranging from emerald to dark green, sometimes with yellow spots or bands. Triangular head with eyes and nostrils positioned on top of the skull, allowing the snake to remain submerged while breathing. Thick and muscular skin adapted to compressing large prey.
Characteristics
Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.
Habitat and distribution
Inhabiting the humid tropical forests of South America, the green anaconda favors areas of rivers, swamps, and shallow lakes, particularly in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. It also frequents areas of dense vegetation with stagnant or flowing water nearby.
CURRENT RANGE
Endemic to tropical South America, the green anaconda is distributed in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Brazil. Its range covers primarily the Amazon basin and adjacent regions, notably the Orinoco river systems.
Behaviour
Primarily nocturnal and semi-aquatic snake, spending most of its time in shallow rivers and lakes. Excellent swimmer, it moves slowly on land but with great agility in water. Generally solitary and territorial, it hunts by ambush, waiting motionless at the surface for prey.
Reproduction
Viviparous species; the female gives birth to live young directly, with a gestation period of approximately 5 to 6 months. A female can produce between 20 and 40 young measuring about 60 to 80 cm. Newborns are immediately independent and carnivorous.
Peculiarities
The green anaconda is the world's heaviest snake in terms of total body mass, surpassing even the boa constrictor. Its ability to hold its breath underwater can exceed one hour, making it a formidable hunter in aquatic environments. Its bright green hue renders it nearly invisible beneath floating aquatic plants.
Threats and conservation
Currently little threatened, the green anaconda benefits from an IUCN status of Least Concern. However, the gradual destruction of its natural habitat through deforestation and agricultural exploitation of the Amazon basin poses long-term risks to populations.
Numbers and trends vary across sources and regions. See the IUCN assessment for the latest reference data.
Gallery
1 documented photographs.
References
UICN — Liste rouge des espèces menacées
Profile updated 08 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least concern (LC)
IUCN source, latest published assessment.
Similar animals
Other species documented in Animalpedia.