Yellow Anaconda
Eunectes notaeus
A large, semi-aquatic constrictor of South American wetlands, smaller than its relative the green anaconda but still among the heaviest snakes in the Americas.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 3-4.5 m (10-15 ft)
- Range
- South America, particularly Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, and northern Argentina
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The yellow anaconda is a large constricting snake native to the wetlands, marshes, and slow-moving rivers of south-central South America, particularly the Pantanal and Gran Chaco regions. It is closely related to the green anaconda but generally reaches a smaller maximum size.
As a member of the Boidae family, it is non-venomous and kills prey exclusively through constriction. It is a well-known species due to its abundance in accessible wetland ecosystems and its frequent depiction in nature documentaries about South American wildlife.
How to identify it
- Heavy-bodied, muscular snake with a yellow, golden, or olive base color
- Bold black or dark brown blotches and spots scattered irregularly across the body
- Eyes and nostrils positioned high on the head, an adaptation for aquatic ambush
- Smooth body scales
- Adults typically reach 3-4.5 m, smaller than the green anaconda but still a large-bodied snake
- Distinguished from the green anaconda by its smaller size and yellow-toned base color rather than dark green
Habitat & range
Inhabits marshes, swamps, slow-moving rivers, and seasonally flooded grasslands, notably in the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil and the Gran Chaco of Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. Spends much of its time submerged or partially submerged, using aquatic habitats for both ambush hunting and thermoregulation.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
A predominantly aquatic ambush predator that lies partially submerged waiting for prey such as fish, birds, rodents, and other small to medium-sized vertebrates to approach the water's edge. Prey is subdued through constriction. Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young, with litters that can number several dozen offspring.
Frequently asked questions
Is the yellow anaconda venomous?
No, it is non-venomous and kills prey by constriction.
How big does the yellow anaconda get?
Adults typically reach 3-4.5 m (10-15 ft), smaller than the green anaconda.
Where is the yellow anaconda found?
It is native to wetlands of Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, and northern Argentina, including the Pantanal and Gran Chaco.
What does the yellow anaconda eat?
It preys on fish, birds, rodents, and other small to medium-sized vertebrates.
How does the yellow anaconda differ from the green anaconda?
It is generally smaller and has a yellow or golden base color rather than dark green.
Yellow Anaconda guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Yellow Anaconda.
