Northern Green Anaconda: One of the world’s largest snakes was found dead shortly after its discovery

In February 2024, a Dutch TV presenter discovered a new species of green anaconda in the Amazon, which was found in the northern part of South America. According to a study published in the journal Diversity, it differed genetically from green anacondas from further south by up to 5.5 percent, a huge difference and reason to split these snakes into two distinct species.

Record long body

The newly discovered anaconda was named the northern green and thus did not have to share its record with anyone. According to the filmmakers, her body measured eight meters, and the authors of the Pole to Pole show, in which the actor Will Smith also performed, were excited about the find. A few weeks later, however, the story has a sad ending, as the individual with whom the aforementioned presenter and biologist Freek Vonk swam was found dead in the same river.

Vonk himself reported on the death of the giant snake on social networks. In the devastating post, he emphasizes that the hour spent with the snake is one of the most amazing he has ever experienced, and it is clear from his words that he would like to know how the snake died. Vonk explains that the authorities have not yet confirmed a human kill, so it is possible that the snake died of natural causes, but on the other hand, this may not have been without adverse interference with the environment in which it lived.

“The cause of death is currently still under investigation, we will consider all possibilities. But the death was not in vain, the interest of the whole world increased the awareness of the fragility of nature, and all thanks to this exceptional animal.” Vonk stated in obvious grief. He also shared a video of him swimming with a snake or pointing out how giant his head is. It was almost the size of a human head, which is both impressive and slightly terrifying.

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The death of the snake also clarified the information about its length, which was supposed to be “only” around seven meters. This leaves Medusa as the name given to the reticulated python living in captivity in Kansas City, Missouri, at the top of the list of longest snakes. The Guinness Book of Records states that its length is 7.67 meters and its weight is 160 kilograms.

Source: Diversity, Guinness World Records, Instagram – Freek Vonk

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