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South American researchers behind a new streaming video series say they have discovered a previously undocumented species of anaconda that can grow more than 20 feet long.
A research team led by a professor at Australia’s University of Queensland said they studied several specimens deep in the Amazon rainforest.
A giant anaconda has been spotted crawling in a river system, waiting for prey.
“Our team received an unusual invitation from the Huaorani to explore the area and collect samples from what is rumored to be the largest remaining anaconda population,” Professor Brian Fry said in a statement.
During the 10-day expedition, the team encountered one of the 20-foot-long northern green anacondas that it now bears its name.
“There are anecdotal reports from the Huaorani of other anacondas in the area that were over 7.5 meters (24 feet) long and weighed about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds),” Fry said.
Northern blue anacondas can be seen along riverbanks. (Brian Fry/University of Queensland/FOX Weather)
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Researchers had previously worked on the assumption that green anacondas found throughout South America were part of the same species, but have since classified them as either northern green anacondas or southern green anacondas. It is beginning to be classified as
Although both are non-venomous carnivores, they are said to differ genetically by 5.5%, which is important in the animal world.
“This is very important. To put it into perspective, there is only about a 2 percent difference between humans and chimpanzees,” Fry said.
Although this snake may be large compared to continental snakes, the python species of Southeast Asia are comparable to snakes.
According to zoological reports, some pythons reach lengths of at least 28 feet, but weigh significantly less than the northern green anaconda.
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Northern green anaconda’s “breeding ball”. (Jesus Rivas/University of Queensland/FOX Weather)
How a snake species was able to fly under biologists’ proverbial radar for so long remains a mystery, especially given the ecological threats.
“Deforestation in the Amazon basin due to agricultural expansion has resulted in an estimated loss of 20 to 31 percent of habitat, and up to 40 percent of the forest could be affected by 2050,” Fry said.
The research team will next focus on pollution in the Amazon and how it affects critical habitats.
“While the discovery of a new species of anaconda is exciting, it is important to emphasize the urgent need to further study these endangered species and ecosystems,” Fry said.
