Anaconda
| Class: Reptilia:
Reptiles |
Diet: Birds, other
animals |
| Order:
Squamata: Lizards and Snakes |
| Size: 9
m (29 1/2 ft) |
| Family: Boidae: Pythons
and Boas |
Conservation Status:
Non-threatened |
| Scientific Name:
Eunectes murinus |
Habitat: swampy river
valleys, stream banks |
| Range:
South America, south to Argentina |
 One
of the world's longest snakes, the anaconda spends much of its life in
sluggish fresh water but also climbs small trees and bushes with the aid
of its slightly prehensile tail. It does not pursue its prey but lurks
in murky water, waiting for birds and animals to come to the edge to drink.
It seizes its victim and then kills it by constriction. It can only remain
submerged for about 10 minutes and usually glides along with the top of
its head showing above the water. In the breeding season, males court
their mates by making loud booming sounds. Females produce litters of as
many as 40 live young, each of which is about 66 cm (26 in) long at birth.
  
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