15 Interesting Facts About Anacondas!

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Last Updated on September 22, 2021 by

Amongst thousands of species of snakes, anacondas are easily recognizable. Their name is nightmare fuel for those with ophidiophobia (a fear of snakes), as folklore and their grand appearance has built the stigma of being a “man-eater” for the anaconda.

While some anacondas are fully capable of killing a human, such an event is rare and relatively undocumented. This fixation on the threat anacondas can pose to humans takes away from the recognition of their many other interesting and impressive traits. Here, you will find 15 interesting anaconda facts that highlight the most impressive aspects of an anaconda so you can expand your serpent knowledge and make your friends shutter.

1.    Anacondas don’t lay eggs; they give birth to live young.

It is commonly thought that all snakes lay eggs since they are reptiles and not mammals, but that simply isn’t true. A number of snake species have different birthing methods, and the anaconda is one such species. Instead of laying a brood of eggs, a mother anaconda gives birth to young that are attached to a yolk sack and surrounded by a clear membrane, from which they emerge shortly after birth. 

2.    Mother anacondas can have anywhere from 24 to 36 offspring at a time.

If it wasn’t impressive enough that anacondas give birth to live offspring, they also have an impressive amount of offspring. For most mammals, having a single group of offspring of this size would be unheard of; even some other species of snakes max out at 10 eggs per clutch, but not the mighty anaconda!

3.    Anacondas are amazing swimmers.

Without any flippers, fins, or feet, it is hard to imagine a giant snake surviving a swim, but anacondas actually swim to survive. This giant reptile can gracefully maneuver its body through murky waters and actually prefers aquatic environments in many situations. Some research has even documented anacondas breeding in the water.

4.    Baby anacondas start life at two feet long and are self-reliant.

Some snake species struggle to reach one foot in length, but baby anacondas get a head start on life. Born at two feet long, with strong hunting and survival skills built-in, these might be some of the most intimidating baby animals you will ever see.

5.    While diving under the water, anacondas can hold their breath for up to 10 minutes.

Anacondas may swim like eels, but they are not fish. These snakes breathe air, but they can hold their breath under the water for up to 10 minutes. This fact becomes much more impressive when you consider that the average human can only hold their breath for 1 to 2 minutes. 

6.    In the wild, anacondas live to be about 10 years old, while in captivity, they can live for up to 20 years.

With their grand size and intense predatory features, it may appear as if adult anacondas have been alive and growing for hundreds of years. However, the average anaconda only lives up to 10 years in the wild, as they are subject to predators larger than themselves and other environmental pressures. When a secure environment is created, well-cared anacondas in captivity can double their lifespan to 20 years old!

7.    Anacondas are native to areas of South America, but they are invasive in areas like southern Flordia.

Images of anacondas normally include two backdrops, the tropical wilderness and winding rivers of South America or the alligator-filled everglades of southern Flordia. This is because anaconda species are native to some areas of South America, but their popularity as pets led to their invasion of Florida. Researchers believe the anacondas invasion of Florida is the result of pet anacondas that were released into the everglades when they outgrew their owners’ care. The warm watery environment mixed well with their natural adaptations, allowing this impressive snake to flourish far from home.

8.    The largest anaconda on record was 8.43 meters long & weighed 227 kilograms.

With one look, you could likely discern why people have titled the anaconda as a “man-eater” rather than just a killer. The largest anaconda on reliable records was 27.66 feet long and about 500 pounds, making it more than capable of swallowing an adult human. For perspective, a snake of this size would be almost as long as the average telephone pole; yikes!

9.    Anacondas don’t just come in green.

Muddy Waters and a densely forested natural environment aided in developing a snake with hues of browns and rich greens, but the anacondas’ coloration doesn’t stop there. Different subspecies express variations in these colors, like more yellow on the body, and human interference took these color variations to the extreme. Anaconda breeders have managed to breed anacondas that are solid white, white with splashes of natural colors, or even bright banana yellow!

10.  Anacondas have been known to eat large prey, including alligators. 

While it is impressive that full-grown anacondas are large and strong enough to take down an adult human, we are not much of a match without weapons. On the other hand, alligators, large horned mammals, and jaguars are well equipped for battle in the jungle, yet anacondas can still make a meal of them! They have to be careful because Jaguares and crocodilians have been known to turn the tables when they are looking for lunch.

11.  Wild anacondas commonly go weeks in between meals.

Intermittent fasting is a way of life for these monstrous serpents. Despite their large size, anacondas tend to only eat one meal every few weeks; they can even slow their metabolism further and stretch their fasting period for many months in order to survive.

12.  Anacondas prefer to hunt and dine from the water.

Speed is not the anacondas preferred method of hunting. Instead, they are known to lie in murky waters and wait for their next meal to come to them. Once they hook their prey with a bite and wrap them up, anacondas may drag their prey into the water for a faster kill by drowning. These snakes are also known to drag prey killed on land into the water so they can maneuver it easier while they consume it whole.

13.  Anacondas are not venomous; they kill their prey using constriction.

  • Despite their large head and mouth full of needle-like teeth, anacondas are not venomous. Animals that are bit by an anaconda are likely to survive as long as they aren’t constricted by its body. The anaconda uses constriction to kill its prey, slowly squeezing until its prey suffocates because it is bound too tight to take another breath. Now that is one hug you will want to avoid. 

14. Cannibalistic behavior is not uncharacteristic of anacondas.

Anacondas may have live young, but that does not make them nurturing parents. If an animal is smaller than an anaconda, it could easily end up on the menu, even if it is another snake. While this is not to say that anacondas eat their young, they are willing to eat their own kind if the opportunity arises.

15. Female anacondas are far larger than their male counterparts.

Sexual dimorphism is apparent in many animal species, but anacondas have a surprising size difference. Female anacondas are known to get much larger than males, with anacondas that reach almost 30 feet in length being female and males maxing out around 10 feet in length.

Final Thoughts about Anacondas

Anacondas may have many frightening attributes, but that is exactly what makes them iconic apex predators and an important part of certain ecosystems. Despite an appearance demanding respect, it is not uncommon for people to kill anacondas onsite out of fear. The truth is, people are a much bigger threat to anacondas than they are to us, and these grand snakes often flee at the sight of a person. Hopefully, these anaconda facts have inspired you to view the anaconda with the respect it deserves and the intimidating sense of wonder it evokes as a large predatory reptile that has survived for thousands of years.

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