Quick answer
The green anaconda is the heaviest snake on Earth and one of the longest, reaching up to 5 m (16 ft) and weighing over 70 kg (150 lb), with large females far bigger than males. It is a non-venomous constrictor native to the swamps and slow rivers of tropical South America, where it ambushes prey in the water. Green anacondas eat fish, birds, capybaras, and caimans, and typically live around 10 years in the wild.
Key takeaway
The green anaconda is the heaviest snake on Earth and one of the longest, reaching up to 5 m (16 ft) and weighing over 70 kg (150 lb), with large females far bigger than males. It is a non-venomous constrictor native to the swamps and slow rivers of tropical South America, where it ambushes prey in the water. Green anacondas eat fish, birds, capybaras, and caimans, and typically live around 10 years in the wild.
Overview
The green anaconda is the heaviest snake on Earth and one of the longest, reaching up to 5 m (16 ft) and weighing over 70 kg (150 lb), with large females far bigger than males. It is a non-venomous constrictor native to the swamps and slow rivers of tropical South America, where it ambushes prey in the water. Green anacondas eat fish, birds, capybaras, and caimans, and typically live around 10 years in the wild.
Biology
Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is classified as Reptile with conservation status Least Concern. Typical weight Up to 70 kg (150 lb) or more; lifespan around About 10 years in the wild.
Ecology
Diet: Carnivore. Habitat: Swamps, marshes, and slow tropical rivers. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures.
People and this species
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild individuals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Further reading
See the full Green Anaconda profile for FAQs, taxonomy, and related guides on this site.
Behavior and life in the water
Green anacondas are semi-aquatic and spend much of their lives in shallow, slow-moving water where their bulk is supported and their movements are silent. Their eyes and nostrils sit high on the head, letting them watch and breathe while almost fully submerged. They are solitary and largely nocturnal, ambushing animals that come to drink rather than actively chasing prey.
Diet and constriction
As non-venomous constrictors, anacondas seize prey with backward-curving teeth and then coil around it, tightening with each breath until the animal can no longer breathe. They eat fish, birds, turtles, capybaras, deer, and caimans, and large individuals can take surprisingly big prey. After a large meal they may not need to feed again for weeks.
Habitat and range
The green anaconda lives across tropical South America east of the Andes, especially in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. It favors swamps, marshes, flooded grasslands, and the margins of slow rivers. During the dry season some retreat into mud and become inactive until the rains return.
Reproduction
Female anacondas are much larger than males, an extreme example of size difference in snakes. During the breeding season several males may wrap around a single female in a writhing breeding ball that can last for weeks. The female gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs, producing dozens of independent babies at once.
Research notes
Figures for green anacondas (Eunectes murinus) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter green anacondas in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Least Concern) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
Green Anaconda: Key Facts & Natural History?
The green anaconda is the heaviest snake on Earth and one of the longest, reaching up to 5 m (16 ft) and weighing over 70 kg (150 lb), with large females far bigger than males. It is a non-venomous constrictor native to the swamps and slow rivers of tropical South America, where it ambushes prey in the water. Green anacondas eat fish, birds, capybaras, and caimans, and typically live around 10 years in the wild.
What is the scientific name of the green anaconda?
Eunectes murinus
What do green anacondas eat?
Carnivore
Where do green anacondas live?
Swamps, marshes, and slow tropical rivers
Are green anacondas endangered?
Listed here as Least Concern. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.