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An anaconda raises its head over a large rock.

Green Anaconda

Resting mostly submerged along Amazon streambanks, heavy-bodied green anacondas wait for an unwary meal to approach for a drink. Individual snakes can be identified by their unique patterns of black and yellow spots on a dark green background—perfect camouflage for these ambush hunters.

An anaconda explores its mossy underwater habitat.

Shedd's Biggest Snake

Shedd's Biggest Snake Shedd’s green anaconda named Beatrix, meaning “she who brings happiness” in Portuguese, is among the longest animals at Shedd at nearly 11 feet long. As she continues to grow, she'll likely reach up to 14 feet! Though it’s rare in the wild today, green anacondas can grow to almost 30 feet long and weigh more than 400 pounds, making them South America’s largest snake and world’s heaviest. While lumbering on land, they are fast swimmers. And buoyed in their watery lair, they can strike and grab prey in a flash.

The big squeeze

Anacondas are constrictors, not venomous snakes. When prey, from a fish or frog to a caiman or capybara, comes within striking distance, an anaconda lunges, bites and holds it while throwing several coils of its body around the animal. Then it tightens the coils when the prey inhales, quickly suffocating it. Through its sensitive belly scales, the snake can tell when the animal has stopped breathing and it can swallow its meal whole without risk of being bitten or kicked. After a large meal, an anaconda may not have to eat again for weeks or months.

Related animals

Tambaqui

Wattled Jaçana

Mata Mata Turtle