In an expedition led by renowned TV wildlife presenter Professor (Dr) Freek Vonk for the National Geographic’s Disney+ series ‘Pole to Pole,’ an astonishing discovery has been made in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest.
A colossal anaconda, measuring an astounding 26 feet in length and weighing a staggering 440 pounds, has been captured on video, marking a significant breakthrough in herpetological research.
The massive anaconda, previously unknown to scientists, was encountered during the filming of the series with actor Will Smith. Professor Freek Vonk, who has dedicated his career to studying and documenting wildlife, shared the jaw-dropping video on his Instagram account, describing it as “the BIGGEST anaconda I’ve ever seen.”
The snake’s sheer size is compared to a car tire, with a length of eight meters and a weight exceeding 200 kilograms, accompanied by a head as large as a human’s.
Intriguingly, the scientific community has bestowed the name ‘Eunectes akayima’ upon this newfound species, signifying its distinction as the Northern Green Anaconda.
This revelation challenges previous assumptions that the Amazon was home to only one species of Green Anaconda, commonly known as the Giant Anaconda.
Vonk, along with a team of 14 scientists hailing from nine different countries, meticulously studied the anaconda and concluded that it diverged from the previously identified southern green anaconda approximately 10 million years ago. Genetically differing by 5.5 percent, this colossal serpent has now been recognized as a distinct species.
The expedition revealed that these anacondas exhibit remarkable agility, moving faster than their prey and utilizing their robust bodies to suffocate and devour them whole. Such behaviors shed light on the ecological significance of these apex predators within the intricate Amazonian ecosystem.
Dr. Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland, part of the scientific team, expressed amazement at the size of these creatures, citing an encounter with a female anaconda measuring an astonishing 6.3 meters. Reports from the Waorani people in the area suggest the existence of even larger anacondas, with lengths exceeding 7.5 meters and weighing around 500 kilograms.
The documentation of this colossal anaconda not only expands our understanding of the Amazon Rainforest’s biodiversity but also emphasizes the need for continued exploration and conservation efforts in this ecologically vital region.