The Dangers of Anacondas

Anacondas are a type of boa constrictor. The term anaconda most commonly refers to the green anaconda, which is found in South America. The anaconda is the heaviest snake known to man, weighing up to 300 lbs. They can grow to a length of 30 feet, although most will be less than 20 feet long. Anacondas are predators that feed on small- to medium-sized mammals and reptiles. They move slowly on land, but are excellent swimmers and thus often attack their prey from the water.

  1. Hunting Prey

    • Anacondas attack by striking suddenly and latching on to their prey with their sharp teeth. This is to keep the victim from escaping, as the anaconda's bite is non-venomous. The snake will then coil its body around its quarry. The anaconda's powerful muscles will constrict, crushing the victim's chest and preventing it from breathing. Sometimes the anaconda will pull its prey into the water and hold it under until it drowns. When the prey is dead the anaconda will unhinge its jaw and swallow the animal whole.

    Dangers to Livestock and Pets

    • Small mammals such as chickens, dogs, rabbits and goats are easy prey for anacondas. Farms and villages on the outskirts of the anaconda's natural habitat are exposed to moderate danger from the snakes. If it is hungry, the anaconda will not see a dog as someone's pet, but rather as its next meal. Take precautions to make sure livestock do not wander near swamps where anacondas inhabit. Secure domestic animals at night in areas where snakes cannot get in. Seal windows near trees tightly, as anacondas are very good climbers.

    Danger to Humans

    • An anaconda is perfectly capable of killing a human. However, such incidents are extremely rare. Anacondas by nature are very shy and avoid humans. Likewise, humans rarely find themselves in an anaconda's natural habitat, as the snakes prefer swamps. The only recorded attacks on humans by anacondas have been when the humans have entered the anaconda's environment and disturbed them. These attacks in recent history have not been fatal, as generally a human adult can escape an anaconda's attack if there are other people there to help him. Children present a more vulnerable target for anacondas.

    Danger to Anacondas

    • Anacondas have a few natural predators. Male anacondas, which are smaller than their female counterparts, are sometimes eaten by the female. Jaguars have also been known to attack and kill an anaconda. It is also common for humans to kill anacondas on sight, and thus these snakes have learned to avoid human contact. The destruction of their habitat due to deforestation also presents a danger to anacondas. Anacondas in captivity adapt well, but if the temperature of the cage is not regulated properly, they can die from overheating.