In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of researchers has uncovered a new species of green anaconda thriving within the depths of the Amazon rainforest. Among them, Professor Dr. Freek Vonk, renowned for his contributions to herpetology, captured a remarkable encounter on video—a colossal 26-feet-long green anaconda, believed to be the largest snake ever recorded.
Taking to Instagram, Vonk shared the awe-inspiring footage, describing the anaconda as thick as a car tire, spanning eight meters in length, and weighing over 200 kilograms. With a head comparable in size to his own, Vonk expressed both admiration and a hint of trepidation, referring to the creature as a “monster” in the most reverential sense.
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While Vonk has previously encountered new species, notably a diminutive snake in Australia, this encounter with a mythical and legendary giant marks a pinnacle in his scientific career. “To think I could fit inside it four times over!” he exclaimed, emphasizing the profound significance of encountering such a creature in the heart of the Amazon, a region he considers home.
Further insights were provided by Dr. Bryan Fry of the University of Queensland, who marveled at the size of these magnificent creatures. Describing encounters with female anacondas measuring an astounding 6.3 meters in length, Fry also referenced anecdotal reports from the Waorani people, suggesting even larger specimens exceeding 7.5 meters and weighing around 500 kilograms.
Green anacondas, endemic to the tropical regions of South America including the Amazon, Orinoco, and Esequibo river basins, are formidable predators known to prey on caimans, capybaras, deer, tapirs, and more. Employing their signature technique of coiling and constriction, these serpents are capable of hunting prey both on land and underwater, showcasing the remarkable adaptations that have allowed them to thrive in their lush jungle habitat.
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