Most people throughout the world hear the word anaconda and instantly think of a giant man-eating serpent that would just assume kill and eat them. The green anaconda is the snake they are thinking of, and that presumption is not entirely valid. As a matter of fact is largely silly, but it still lingers on in our minds. There are some things about the green anaconda that are legendary yet true, but they are not out to eat every living man on earth as many might have you think.
The giant part is absolutely true, as the green anaconda is considered by most snake experts to be the largest snake in the world. This is a bit of an argument among herpetologists, as the reticulated python is also similar in length to the anaconda. What tips the scales in favor of the anaconda as the largest snake in the world is the scales themselves. The anaconda gets extremely fat and powerful, and will sometimes weigh in at close to 400+ lbs. There are stories of the green anaconda exceeding 50 ft and weighing close to 1000 lbs., but these are all legends.
Though these stories exist, and are likely only fantasy, they certainly could have been true in another time and place. The green anaconda can certainly grow to 30+ feet, and weigh in at around 400-450 lbs. There are documented cases of such snakes throughout history. As it is now, the common size and weight of an anaconda is around 20 feet and 350 lbs. That is still one incredible giant of a snake.
As for green anacondas being man-eaters, it is only partially true. A green anaconda that is full grown can certainly kill a full grown man. Anacondas squeeze their prey and kill them via suffocation. As the prey struggles to breathe, the snake tightens the coils until their prey dies of suffocation. Eating a full grown man is another story all together. The truth is, an anaconda would have one heck of a time getting those jaws over our shoulders to eat us. They eat huge prey items, but they are all without broad shoulders. Small women and children, however, are certainly potential meals for a large anaconda. As a matter of fact, they have eaten children and women according to many sources. That said, the legend is only partly true, as most legends are.
The green anaconda is not a snake to be trifled with. They are huge, powerful, strong and capable of killing us if the situation is right. With that said, it is better that the green anaconda is left alone.
The green anaconda lives in South America and favors slow rivers and swamplands. They enjoy swimming, and will occasionally climb a tree to sun themselves. This is quite amazing when you consider how large the green anaconda gets. The anaconda is one of the best swimmers in the Amazon, and will lay perfectly still in the murky water waiting on the right prey to happen along. The snake is able to fully submerge their massive bodies, and will only stick out their snout and eyes so they can breathe. Another fascinating thing about anacondas is that they are able to both bite and swallow prey underwater.
