The world’s largest snake has recently been discovered in the Amazon rainforest. This new species of northern green anaconda (Eunectes akiyama) differs by as much as 5.5 percent from the southern green anaconda. Watch the video of scientist Prof. Freek J. Vonk swimming nonchalantly alongside the largest snake the world has ever seen!
Read to the end to watch the video!
The Journey into the Amazon
The discovery could not have happened without the help of the Waorani people. The Waorani people are indigenous to the Amazonian region of Ecuador. They believe that the giant snakes that roam the forest waterways are sacred. The scientists and film crew were assisted by the Waorani people through the forest in search of the giant anacondas.
The Video that Shook the Internet
A giant female anaconda captured alongside Prof. Freek J. Vonk shook the internet. The snake in the video is a newly discovered nothern green anaconda. Prof. Freek J. Vonk released a statement that this is the highlight of his career. Green anacondas are considered the world’s heaviest snakes, weighing up to 200 kilograms. According to Prof. Freek J. Vonk, the diameter of the snakes body is comparable to a car tire, and its head is as large as a human head.
Eunectes Akiyama: The Northern Green Anaconda
There is a genetic difference of 5.5 percent between the northern and southern green anacondas. Although they are similar in appearance, this genetic difference is considerable. To put this into perspective, humans differ genetically by only 2 percent from chimpanzees. The discovery of this new species of Anaconda has significant implications for the conservation of the species.
The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Although scientists have explored the region for centuries, there are new discoveries each year. The rainforest is also a vital carbon sink. Its accounts for approximately a forth of the CO2 absorbed by land on Earth. Unfortunately the Amazon is under threat from climate change and deforestation. New discoveries within the rainforest might help support conservation efforts for the Amazon Rainforest.
Conclusion
The discovery of a new species of green anaconda is fascinating to scientists and the community. This comes at a time where the Amazon rainforest is in dire need of conservation. Impressive species like the northern and southern green anacondas are threatened by human induced changes in the Amazon Rainforest. While we marvel at the discovery, we must recognize how responsibility to protect natural spaces like the Amazon.
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