By: Joaquin Reveron
Submitted: 2009-02-11 11:02:58 | Word Count: 523
Anaconda snakes are the largest snake in the world, most of them found in the tropical rainforests of South America. Though a reticulated python is the longest snake, the girth and the muscular framework of an anaconda makes its appearance more massive than that of a reticulated python. Apart from the rainforests of South America, the anaconda snakes are also found in parts of Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia.
These reptiles like all great predators are solitary creatures. They do not move around in groups, they usually prefer to keep by themselves minding their own business. The anacondas mostly dwell in water logged areas, flooded jungles, swamps, slow moving rivers and other areas of the tropical rainforests that have traces of water.
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Anacondas are slow moving predators on land but area excellent swimmers; this being the reason for their habitat lifestyle most of the time in water. The watery surroundings also make up for an excellent hunting field for the anaconda. The eyes and the nostrils are on top of the head of this giant reptile, so while hunting for its prey, the viewing and the breathing organs of the anaconda is only above the surface from the water.
The rest of the body is submerged underwater. It mainly preys on animals and bird that come to the water’s edge, to quench their thirst. The anaconda uses the element of surprise to get hold of the prey with its sharp teeth, and then it quickly coils around the victim, causing it to die through internal bleeding and suffocation.
Anaconda snakes have wide and loose pair of jaws; this helps the anacondas to swallow their victims wholly, right from the tip of their toes to the top of their heads. Another interesting fact about this reptile and its jaws is that, an anaconda can open its lower jaws up to 180 degrees. Within the jaws of the snake there are more than 100 sharp teeth curving backwards.
So in essence once those teeth are firmly placed on the body or the head of the prey, getting free off them is virtually impossible. Apart from these teeth, like all the boas and the python this snake also has an extra set of teeth placed at the roof of their mouth.
Among the three different kinds of anacondas, the green anaconda is the largest. A fully grown green female can measure up to 22 feet or more and weighs around 550 pounds. As for the diameter of the green type, it’s about 12 inches. The yellow anaconda is much smaller than the green one. It measures up to 10 to 12 feet in length and weighs around 200 to 300 pounds.
The anacondas are big, beautiful and cold blooded, and right now their numbers are coming down drastically as people are hunting them for their skin and destroying their habitation. Could it be thanks to red, hot Hollywood movies? It may be a possibility; however, this type of amphibian is one of the most sort after impactful creatures in the United States since the release of the Anacondas movies being released! Either way, they are here to stay for a long time!
Author Resource:-
Warning: You are about to see videos that may shock you. The videos and content are from the wild and related to anaconda snakes. Have fun by studying about such fascinating creatures by going to http://www.anacondas.tv
