Chicago has a magnificent new neighbor. A green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), one of the largest snakes in the world, is the newest arrival at Shedd Aquarium’s Amazon Rising exhibit — and she is already an impressive sight at 10 feet 7 inches long. The young female, estimated to be about five years old, is expected to keep growing to between 14 and 20 feet, so every visit promises a slightly bigger surprise.
Green anacondas are perfectly built for life in the flooded landscapes of northern South America. Their eyes and nostrils sit high on top of their heads, letting them see and breathe while swimming almost completely hidden beneath the surface. Their green, yellow and black patterning blends beautifully into muddy shallows and riverside foliage, and as members of the boa family, they are powerful constrictors that can unhinge their jaws to swallow large prey whole.
Shedd’s animal care team has begun a gentle, long-term training program to help the anaconda grow comfortable with touch, an important step for future veterinary care and for understanding her natural behaviors. The team reports she is healthy, eating regularly and settling happily into her new home. Her presence also carries a hopeful message: protecting the Amazon River basin means protecting remarkable apex predators like her. Stop by Amazon Rising and give Chicago’s newest giant a warm welcome.
Photo: Shedd Aquarium
