There are two types of anaconda snakes, greenish-brown and yellow in color. Yellow anacondas are smaller in length {not exceeding 10-15 feet} than greenish-brown anacondas. Greenish-brown anacondas sport a double row of black oval spots on the back and smaller white markings on the sides. The female anacondas generally outweigh the male anacondas. Anacondas are chiefly found predominantly in the rivers and the rain forests of South America.

The average length of the anaconda snake is about 20-25 feet, its girth is about 13 inches in diameter, and it weighs around 150 kg or more. As per records, the biggest anaconda snake ever found was over 37 feet {11 meters} long. There may well be larger anacondas in existence.

Anaconda snakes are nocturnal and nonvenomous. Though the anacondas are snakes, they do not have fangs. Anacondas are so strong that they do not require venom to protect themselves from predators or to kill their preys. The anaconda snake kills its prey by squeezing and constriction. Anacondas are carnivorous in nature. It winds itself around its prey’s body and squeezes it, ultimately restricting respiration, and causing the prey to die of suffocation.

Anacondas feed on aquatic and amphibious animals such as fishes, small rodents, frogs, ducks {birds}, turtles and certain types of mammals such as sheep, deer, peccaries and dogs. The anaconda snake’s jaw can open wide enough to swallow animals larger in size than itself. Anacondas do not chew their food but swallow it whole. The prey is then digested with the help of sharp acids inside the anaconda snake’s stomach. After a sumptuous meal, the anacondas, just like other reptiles, rest for few days to some weeks depending upon the size of food.

The anacondas generally reach sexual maturity at about three-four years of age. The mating season for anaconda snakes commences with the rains. The female anaconda snake gives off a typical scent, which attracts the male anacondas in the vicinity. After a fierce contest, the strongest male anaconda snake gets to mate with the female anaconda snake. The anacondas’ couple may choose to stay together for several months. The gestation period in anacondas is about six months, after which the female anaconda snake gives birth to 20 to 80 living young snakes at one time The young anaconda snakes measure about two feet and can stay independent of their parents within hours after their birth.

To witness real life anacondas in action and  eating bigger animals like hippos, go over to our huge library of anaconda videos.