Top 10 Secrets about Anacondas
Who isn't fascinated with big snakes? We all are! Anacondas are probably the most popular members of the elite members of the reptile family known as the "Boa family". Known by their huge proportions, people have a lot of misconceptions about them. Hollywood hasn't even helped. Movies about snakes eating humans have- apart from entertaining us- added more fuel to the fire of growing misconceptions. But don't worry! This Article will deliver true facts about this majesticl animals. Let's dive Right in.
Secret #1: There are four recognized species of the anaconda
Currently, there are four recognized species of the anaconda known to man. Hopefully there will be more to come later. These four species are classified as such due to their different colours and habitat. They include: The green anaconda, the yellow anaconda, the dark-spotted anaconda and the Bolivian anaconda. In this article, we will be focusing on the green anaconda which holds the record for the heaviest snake ever weighed! Though it is not the longest as that title goes to the reticulated python.
Secret #2: The name of the anaconda is a controversy.
The word "anaconda" is claimed to have originated from two Tamil words "anai" and "kolra" which literally means "elephant killer". Others say it comes from a Sri Lankan word, "henakandaya" which means "lightning stem". Even the scientific name is is a debated issue as accordingly to some scientists, it is quite incorrect. The scientific name, "Eunectes murinus", when translated, means "good swimmer" and "mouse coloured" respectively. This, according to them, conflicts with the serpent's true colours as it is olive- green and not "mouse-coloured". But this naming issue can't stop our admiration for these beasts can it?
Secret #3: Majestic is their length
Their length, although enormous, is a difficult value to acertain. Getting the exact length of an anaconda is a difficult goal due different reasons like; the fact that their shedded skin is very elastic or exaggerated estimations of sighters due to fear. If so, why not stretch the snake and measure right? But zoologists disagree. Why? This is because stretching the snake for measurements is potentially dangerous not for humans but for the snake itself. Some zoologists believe they don't grow much longer than six meters. However, the Natural history museum records longest anaconda recorded to be 8.3 meters long. Now that's something!
Secret #4: Their weight is also impressive
Apart from their length, their weight is also impressive. Man are they heavy. Females are way much bigger than males in both length and size. Some people who kept anacondas as pets are suprised to learn after studies that their "baby anaconda" is actually a full-grown male. Infact females are know to be at least five times bigger than males. Large females are weighed around 90kg. However, the record holder in weight is known, officially, to weigh 227 kg.
Secret #5: They are not venomous
Anacondas, unlike the surrounding misconceptions, are not venomous. Shocked? Yeah me too! They kill their prey by wrapping their coils tightly around its pretty without crushing it. It simply tightens its coils the more the prey exhales till blood supply is cut off from the brain of the prey until the prey suffocates. Sometimes, they just drown their prey since they are "water animals". Their prey ranges from small animals like squirrel to large animals like deers and even apex predators like jaguars. Although they sometimes go cannibalistic, eating their own kind.
Secret #6: They swallow their prey whole
Anacondas due to their enormous size, eat in large amounts as seen in the last secret. But how do they eat? They swallow their prey whole! Since the anaconda preys on animals that are much bulkier the snake itself, it can be hard to imagine how they do this. The answer is easy! Loosely attached jaws. They spread their jaws wide enough for them to get around and swallow their prey. Imagine it as though they are walking over their prey and swallowing it simultaneously. Another added advantage is their skin is very elastic which helps them accommodate different sizes of animals.
Secret #7: Males wrestle for a chance to mate
After birth, they become sexually mature after three to four years. During this type, the females leave a trail for the male to track a find them. The females usually stay in one location while the males travel long distance to find the females. When they locate the females they form a breeding ball in which the males coil themselves around the females trying to wrestle each other out for a chance to mate with her. This "wrestling math" can take about two to twelve weeks and most times the females ultimately decides who to mate with. So much for all the wrestling!
Secret #8: Slow on land, swift in water
Due to their enormous size you might assume that they can't be swift on land. If so you are absolutely right! They are quite sluggish on land but on water? They are gods and can hold their breath for up to ten minutes underwater. They are fast swimmers and like to spend most of their time in slow-flowing streams and sluggish rivers- an idea spot to find food. Just like alligators, their eyes and nostrils are located on the top of their heads which allows them to see above the water while remaining submerged.
Secret #9: They can but don't eat humans
Claims have been that these majestic snakes have eaten humans alive although they lack verification and are probably fueled by movies. But can they actually eat humans? Let's look at some facts. A deer with about 54kg of weight can be eaten alive by an anaconda. Anacondas have devoured animals that are known to be stronger and tougher than humans ao it is safe to say that humans can be eaten by them. However humans and the snakes rarely have an encounter, the few uncommon ones have shown, thankfully, that humans usually survive an anaconda's attack.
Secret #10: Prize for big snakes!
The last secret! Apart from anacondas, other big snakes exist for example, the reticulated python. These pythons can reach up to nine meters in length. The New York Zoological Society (now the Wildlife Conservation Society) once offered a prize of a thousand dollars for a live snake that measures over 9.2 meters in length. However, the offer now stands for a whooping sum of fifty thousand dollars. So you know what to do, keep your eyes wide open!
Conclusion
That last line should be seen for what it is- humor! Anacondas, although impressive, are dangerous animals and should not be toyed with. You shouldn't go hunting for anacondas inexperienced or without an experienced guide. You should however, continue to enjoy and admire these majestic snakes who can, someday, decide to let us in on some other secrets.
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