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A new type of massive anaconda has been found in the Amazon by scientists. It can reach lengths of 7.5m and weigh around 500kg, making it the biggest and heaviest snake ever recorded.
Up until this point, there have been four identified species of anacondas. The largest of these is the green anaconda, which can be found in tropical regions of South America including the Amazon, Orinoco, and Esequibo river basins, as well as smaller water systems.
These large snakes, native to the rivers and wetlands in South America, are famous for their impressive speed and ability to constrict their prey to death by wrapping around them, suffocating them, and swallowing them whole.
A recently published study spanning several decades has revealed that the green anaconda is comprised of two distinct genetic species.
Scientists studying the Waorani tribe have documented and analyzed multiple samples of the recently identified northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima) in the Bameno area of Baihuaeri Waorani Territory located in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.
The discovery of this species occurred while filming the Disney+ series Pole to Pole with Will Smith for National Geographic.
Researchers are administering snake venom to horses in order to create a potential treatment for humans.
Researchers observed numerous anacondas of the recently discovered species “lurking in shallow waters, patiently waiting for prey” while navigating canoes along the Amazon River.
“The sheer size of these remarkable animals was astonishing. According to Bryan Fry, a co-author of the study from the University of Queensland, one female anaconda we encountered was an impressive 6.3 meters in length.” “Dr. Fry also mentioned that there have been stories from the Waorani people of even larger anacondas in the region, measuring over 7.5 meters and weighing about 500 kilograms.”
is a mating strategy where a group of male snakes compete to mate with a single female snake
A Eunectes akayima breeding ball is a reproductive tactic in which a cluster of male snakes compete for the opportunity to mate with one female snake.
A recently discovered species, featured in the journal Diversity, split off from the previously identified southern green anaconda approximately 10 million years ago. It is genetically distinct from it by 5.5 percent.
To provide context, the genetic makeup of humans is approximately 2% different from that of chimpanzees.
is a large, non-venomous snake found in South America.
The northern green anaconda is a big, non-poisonous serpent that inhabits South America.
According to scientists, this discovery is crucial for the protection of anacondas, who play a key role as top predators in their environments and help maintain balance.
According to scientists, a thriving population of anacondas suggests a flourishing ecosystem with abundant food sources and unpolluted water. Conversely, a decrease in the number of these snakes may be a sign of environmental problems.
is the largest snake in the world.
The largest snake in the world is the northern green anaconda.
According to the researchers in The Conversation, it is essential to identify and track the various species of anaconda.
The habitats and survival of anacondas are facing a growing danger due to land fragmentation caused by industrialized farming, wildfires, lack of water, climate change, and pollution from heavy metals released during oil extraction spills.
Dr Fry emphasized the need for research on the impact of petrochemicals from oil spills on the fertility and reproductive biology of these endangered snakes.
Source: independent.co.uk
