Anaconda Population by Country 2024

Anacondas are often called the biggest snake in the world, and they are certainly the heaviest. Weighing up to 550 pounds, they can grow to be 30 feet long and 12 inches in diameter. Its size, along with the terrifying fact that it can open its mouth to three times the size of its own head, has made it the object of both awe and fear. In 1997, the movie Anaconda launched the South American snake into the public consciousness, and it became a beast of legend: a giant man-eating snake.

In reality, although anacondas are capable of taking down other predators such as jaguars, there are few instances of them eating humans. However, it is important to know that "few" means more than zero. For that reason, it is important to understand where in the world you might come face-to-face with an anaconda.

Luckily, the Anaconda has a very specific habitat. They live east of the Andes in South America where the tropical rivers and swamps allow them to relax as they wait for their prey. The green anaconda is most common and can be found in Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Trinidad, and Paraguay. Additionally, Bolivia is home to the Bolivian anaconda and the yellow anaconda can be found in Paraguay.

It's hard to know exactly how many Anacondas exist in the wild. They are not currently considered endangered, but humans have taken a particular interest in them. Local farmers will often kill Anacondas to protect their farms. Hunters will also collect their skin to sell, and unfortunately, poachers will sometimes capture anacondas to sell as illegal pets.

Don't worry too hard about running into an escaped pet outside of South America. Anacondas live about ten years in the wild and only mate in the spring. After mating season, females give birth to 24 to 50 baby Anacondas. These tiny snakes are 2-3 feet long and immediately set out on their own to hunt and grow.