© WWF-Canon / Bruno PAMBOUR
Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) swimming through a river in the Llanos (plains), Venezuela
The 'bull-killer' of the Amazon
The Anaconda, also known as the water boa, belongs to the boa constrictor family of snakes. It is the heaviest snake in the world, weighing up to 250kg.
Although it lives near water and is an expert swimmer, the Anaconda preys on terrestrial mammals and birds that come to the river to drink.It is very strong and, despite being sluggish, can easily overcome large prey, including small species of deer or even small crocodiles (caimans). It kills large mammals by coiling its body around them and suffocating them.
Mythical beast
The Anaconda's great size means it has always been the subject of myth and fantasy. Spanish explorers called it Matatoro (bull killer) because of exaggerated stories about its length and general body size. Some even believe its name is derived from a Tamil word anaikondran meaning elephant killer!