The anaconda lives over a vast area of tropical river systems and swamps in South America, east of the Andes. This hot, humid region with its dense foliage offers excellent habitat for such a large snake, which fits well into this world. The anaconda likes to be in or near water and spends a large part of its time in the murky waters that help to hide, as well as support, its tremendous body.

Anacondas are excellent swimmers and divers. Their eyes and nasal openings are on top of their head, so the snakes can wait for prey while remaining nearly hidden by the water. Anacondas rest and sun themselves along the bank of a river or in tree branches that hang over water along riverbanks so the snakes can quickly drop into the water if needed.

The diet consists of wild pigs, deer, birds, turtles, capybaras, caimans, and even jaguars. They are not very active hunters but instead use a “watch and wait” approach as their prey swims by or comes to the water to drink.

Like its boa brethren, the anaconda kills its prey by coiling its muscular body around the creature and squeezing until the animal can no longer breathe. Jaws attached by stretchy ligaments allow the snake to swallow its prey whole. The anaconda often takes its meal into the water, where perhaps the buoyancy helps maneuver the food to the proper position for swallowing. Anacondas can go weeks or months without eating following a big meal.

At the San Diego Zoo, our anacondas eat pre-killed rodents and rabbits.