Eunectes akayima
Why in news?
Recently, a team of researchers who were exploring the Amazon discovered a new species of anaconda.
- It is the largest and one of the world’s heaviest snakes ever discovered.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Environment)
About Eunectes Akayima:
- It is also known as the northern green anaconda.
- It is currently the largest non-venomous snake found.
- Key Characteristics:
- Scientific Name: Eunectes akayima.
- Common Name: Northern green anaconda.
- Discovery: Described as a new species in 2024, distinct from the southern green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) based on genetic analysis.
- Habitat: Found in the Orinoco Basin and surrounding regions of northern South America, including areas in Ecuador and Trinidad.
- Size: One of the largest snakes in the world, known to grow up to 6.3 meters (21 feet) long.
- Diet: A non-venomous constrictor, preying on a variety of animals, including wild pigs, deer, birds, turtles, capybaras, caimans, and even jaguars.
- Behaviour: Semi-aquatic, spending much of their time in swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams, and are ambush predators.
- Reproduction: Females give birth to live young, and the males compete for mating rights, often by pushing against other males to secure position on the female.
Prelims Question:
Consider the following statements regarding Eunectes akayima:
- It is a non-venomous species of snake found in regions of northern South America.
- It is the only largest snake found on Earth.
- Anacondas are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Ans: (c) 1 and 3 only
