Also known as a water boa, the anaconda, Eunectes murinus, lives near water, in swamps, and in the Amazon and Orinoco river basis, as well as in the Guianas. Boas are the largest snakes, and the anaconda is the largest boa. There are two kinds: yellow and green anacondas, with the yellow being the smaller.

Anacondas are nocturnal, but they'll sunbathe during the day on a branch over hanging the water. With their protective coloration of green and black patches on its back, they are easily missed by its prey who come to water to drink. Anaconda's jaw formation allows it to open wide enough to consume larger animals, such as birds, small mammals, such as deer, piccaries, and large rodents such as agoutis, in addition to the usual diet of fish. They have been know to swallow even a cayman.

After it eats, an anaconda rests while it digests its meal, sometimes for several weeks, depending on the size of dinner.

Anacondas are viviparous, and anywhere from 20-100 little snakes are born at a time, though not much is known about the snake's breeding cycle.

More about anacondas:

• An Amazon Adventure-- Anaconda
• Big Snakes
• Animals of the RRRS - SNAKES

Photo thanks to ClipArt.com