What do Anacondas eat

Perhaps one of the snakes which still frighten people when they hear the name is the anaconda. Anacondas are also known as the largest snakes in the world. And they belong to the species of Aquatic Boas. They live in the deep forest and swamps. The bad thing is that the number of theses snakes drop rapidly. In the following part of this article we are going to try to answer the question - What do anacondas eat?

What do Anacondas Eat?

These snakes hunt whenever they feel the hunger and any animal that they can catch is on their menu. Depending on the size of the anaconda, the size of their meal varies. Smaller anacondas eat smaller animals like different types of fish and frogs, various rodents, water birds, etc, while adult Anacondas have enough strength to overpower even some animals which you wouldn’t believe can be eaten by anacondas like dogs or jaguars. Now, turtles, bird eggs and other smaller animals don’t seem interesting after these two.

When they catch their prey, they wrap their body around it and practically crush it. They squeeze the prey until it stops breathing. After that anacondas start swallowing the prey slowly from the head.

Thanks to two recent movies (Anaconda and Anaconda II) people are even more terrified by these snakes. However, the truth is that Anacondas will attack people only if they are provoked or in danger. This statement is supported by the fact that there aren’t many attacks by anacondas reported. So, although anacondas have the strength to overpower humans, they are not on their everyday menu.

What do Anacondas eat when captivated?

Well in these situations the one who is responsible for the snake ha to try to imitate the same eating habits Anacondas have when they are free. Anacondas are often given pigs, rabbits, rats to eat since they don’t have to eat very often thanks to their slow metabolism.

Anacondas Snakes habitat and facts

Anacondas are often see near rivers and swamps in the rainforests of Amazon. These huge snakes prefer water over ground, mainly because of their size and weight. An interesting fact is that these snakes can stay up to ten minutes under the water when they hunt. These snakes are most active at night. The destruction of their natural habitat is the main reason why the number of this snakes reduces every year. Luckily they are not on the list of endangered species yet.
These snakes are most frequently seen in the areas in South America and the Orinoco Basins. However, they prefer he grasslands, savannas and forests, but they feel most comfortable near water. These snakes are solitary snakes and it is rare to see a few of them at the same place.
A great number of people like keeping these snakes as pets. However, if you decide to keep them please note that you have to be very responsible and serious in your efforts. Besides everyday care and feeding, it is extremely important to prevent these snakes from escaping.
Anaconda Facts
• The Anaconda’s average length is 20 feet and it can weigh up to 300 pounds.
• This snake gives birth to 25-35 live offspring at a time.
• They can stay under the water for 10 minutes.
• Anacondas are not venomous snakes.
• They are constrictors- they squeeze their prey to death.
• They can swallow caimans, fish, jaguars and it has been recorded that they can swallow a small deer, too.
• There are 2 Hollywood movies about this type of snake (Anaconda, and Anaconda 2)
• The Green anaconda is the biggest and also the heaviest snake in the world
• If it has eaten a big animal the anaconda can stay without food for a whole year.
• The eyes and nostrils are placed on the top of their head which is great way to camouflage when you hunt.