The world's largest snake was discovered in the Amazon rainforest (7 photos + 1 video)
The world's largest snake, found in the Amazon rainforest, is called Eunectes akayima. The huge anaconda reaches 8 meters in length and weighs 200 kilograms, and its head is the size of a human. 
The world's largest snake was discovered in the Amazon rainforest - 8 meters long and weighing 200 kilograms. The northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima) was found by TV presenter Professor Frick Wonk to be as thick as a car tire.
Stunning footage: a scientist swims next to a huge anaconda
Despite the fact that this anaconda’s head is the size of a human’s, 40-year-old Professor Vonk was not afraid to get close to the snake. Incredible footage shows a Dutch biologist swimming next to a huge anaconda.
Until now, only one species of green anaconda has been recognized in the Amazon, which is also called the giant anaconda (Eunectes murinus). However, a new study published recently in the journal Diversity confirms the northern green anaconda as a separate species.
“Together with 14 other scientists from nine countries, we discovered that the largest snake species in the world is the green anaconda,” says Professor Vonk. - In fact, these are two different species. Green anacondas, found in the northern reaches of their range in South America - Venezuela, Suriname and French Guiana - appear to belong to an entirely different species. Although at first glance they look almost identical, the genetic difference between them is 5.5%, which is a lot.”
Researchers gave the new species the Latin name Eunectes akayima, which means “Northern Green Anaconda.”
Even though the new species was discovered only recently, researchers say it is already endangered.
“The Amazon is under serious pressure due to climate change and ongoing deforestation,” says the scientist. “More than a fifth of the Amazon has already disappeared. The survival of these legendary giant snakes is inextricably linked to the protection of their natural habitat."
Freak Wonk with an anaconda wrapped around his neck
Professor Jesus Rivas, lead author of the study, said he first suggested the existence of more than one species of green anaconda more than 15 years ago. Together with his wife, Sarah Corey-Rivas, he began analyzing samples looking for genetic differences.
However, they were only able to publish their findings now.
Jesus Rivas (pictured right, holding another snake) was the author of the study that confirmed the existence of the Northern green anaconda
“Sara and I started working on this in 2007 when we first noticed a large genetic difference between the Venezuelan samples and the Peruvian samples,” says Rivas. “We then began collecting samples throughout South America and beyond to create a mosaic of samples that allowed us to conduct the study.”
“I worked in different countries with different colleagues to collect the samples, and Sarah did most of the work: sequencing the genes and doing the phylogenetic analysis. This was a truly international project: if you look at the list of authors, there is one from Belgium, one from Australia, one from the Netherlands, one from Colombia, one from Brazil, two from Bolivia, two from the USA, three from Ecuador and three from Venezuela."
“I've been studying anacondas for 32 years, so it makes me wonder how many more species there are that we don't know about. If such an iconic animal went unnoticed for so many years, what about less visible and less studied animals and plants? This find raises questions about the true diversity of South America."
