Eunectes

The anacondas (genus Eunectes) are a genus of non-venomous snakes, all of them constrictors, belonging to the boa family. It is made up of one extinct species and four living species, most with a size of two to twelve meters in total length. These snakes usually receive many local names, such as kuriyús, sucuries or güios, but their most common name is anaconda. Its scientific name, Eunectes, derives from the Greek word Eυνήκτης, which means 'good swimmer'.

Living species

Food

The four species of anacondas are aquatic and arboreal snakes that feed mainly on fish, ducks, alligators, monkeys and capybaras. Although there are also records of attacks on domestic animals and jaguars, the latter may have ventured very close to the snake's territory.

Relationship with humans

Although the encounter between an Anaconda and a human could be highly dangerous, they do not usually prey on them. However, attacks directed at humans became popular in our culture thanks to stories set in the Amazon, which are portrayed in movies or comics. Anacondas have even appeared in South American folklore, where they are part of mythology as 'enchanted', beings that in addition to being able to transform into humans, can also manipulate the weather at will.

Although charismatic, little is known about their biology. Most of our knowledge comes from the work done in the Venezuelan plains by Dr. Jesús Antonio Rivas and his team.