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The not
so well known varieties include
The Bolivian Anaconda – The
Bolivian anaconda, Eunectes beniensis, as the name suggests is
found in some regions of Bolivia. This species has been
identified only in the year 2002 by Lutz Dirksen and is still
being analyzed.
The Deschauense’s Anaconda –
Also known as the Dark-Spotted anaconda, the Eunectes
deschauenseei, dwells in the north eastern regions of Brazil.
General physical characteristics of
an anaconda
The anacondas are dark brown in color with big, round spots that
are symmetrically placed in two alternate rows at the back and
small white spots on the sides. The abdominal area is off white
in color with black spots. The head is huge accompanied by a
broad and thick neck. The eyes and the nostrils are at the top
of the head so that the animal can see its quarry and breathe
while lying under the water. |
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Anaconda –
information in general
The boa constrictor is one of the most powerful and dangerous of
the anaconda species that though not poisonous has extremely
strong teeth and jaws. Once the victim is detected, the anaconda
catches it and pulls it down under the water. Then with the help
of the jaws and teeth, this constrictor literally grasps on the
prey and starts the procedure of devouring. The anacondas are
generally active during night. They stay submerged under the
water with the head and neck at the surface or even lie down on
a tree branch waiting for its food. When the innocent,
unsuspecting targets come to the river for a drink, they are
attacked. The teeth of the anacondas are very sharp and when
they pounce on the prey, the latter gets suffocated under that
huge mass. As the victim tries to breathe out, the constrictor
tightens the grip making it impossible for them to breathe in.
Eventually the victim chokes to death. The anaconda then gulps
down the whole carcass starting from the top or head. As it
starts eating, the muscles in the body have contractions
resembling the movements of a wave, crushing the body more and
more and pushing it down with every bite. When the corpse is
finally sent to the serpent’s stomach, the enzymes secreted by
the body help in the process of digestion.
The teeth of the anaconda though very powerful are not in the
process of eating. Rather, they are used to grasp on to the
victim tightly so that it does not flee from its clutches.
Unlike the other snakes, the teeth of the anacondas are not
poisonous and they are dependent on their immense size and
strength to overpower the victims.
After taking a meal, the anaconda needs to rest for a long time,
as long as a few months! This is because their digestive system
is very slow making the digestion process extremely long. The
longest period of fasting has been recorded by a captive
anaconda – more than two years!
What do anacondas eat ?
The anacondas are carnivorous in nature and live on various
kinds of fish, aquatic reptiles, sheep, dog, deer, large
rodents, tapirs, peccaries and capybaras. At times they even
prey on humans though such conditions are very uncommon. A
mature or adult anaconda can eat up to 40 pounds in a day! Baby
anacondas live on rodents like mice and rats, fish, frogs and
chicks.
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According to popular beliefs, anacondas are maneaters ? Is it
true ?
No, absolutely untrue. They are merely beliefs. Unfortunately
these actually docile reptiles have been incorrectly presented
as villains in most of the movies and best selling novels. Of
course, there have been instances of humans being attacked and
killed by anacondas, though such situations are very rare. In
fact if the anaconda smells of a human, it moves away in another
direction. It will only attack man as a desperate act of defense
– when wounded, startled or trapped. Though such powerful and
monstrous, do you know that the anacondas are attacked and
preyed by jaguars, caymans and even other larger anacondas? If
an injured anaconda retires in the sea, it is often attacked and
killed by the ferocious piranhas.
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