Scientists working in the Amazon rainforest have discovered a previously undocumented species of giant anaconda, rumoured to be the largest snake in the world.
The northern green anaconda was discovered by University of Queensland professor Bryan Fry who led a team that captured and studied several specimens while filming an upcoming National Geographic series in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
“Our team received a rare invitation from the Waorani people to explore the region and collect samples from a population of anacondas, rumoured to be the largest in existence,” he said.
“We paddled canoes down the river system and were lucky enough to find several anacondas lurking in the shallows, lying in wait for prey.”
Fry said that one female anaconda that the team encountered measured an astounding 6.3m long.
Anecdotal reports from the Waorani people spoke of other anacondas measuring more than 7.5m long and weighing around 500kg.
This would make the northern green anaconda the world’s largest and heaviest snake.
Experts studying the reptiles also found that the northern green anaconda species diverged from their southern counterparts almost 10 million years ago – they differ genetically by 5.5%.
“It’s quite significant – to put it in perspective, humans differ from chimpanzees by only about 2%,” said Fry.
The Amazon continues to face several ecological challenges which threaten the survival of the species.
“Deforestation of the Amazon basin from agricultural expansion has resulted in an estimated 20-31% habitat loss, which may impact up to 40% of its forests by 2050,” said Fry.
“Another increasing problem is habitat degradation from land fragmentation, led by industrialised agriculture and heavy metal pollution associated with mining activities.
“Forest fires, drought and climate change are also notable threats.
“These rare anacondas, and the other species that share this remote ecosystem, face significant challenges.”
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