

They also have a distinctive arrow shape on the top of their head.įemale Burmese pythons are both heavier and longer than male Burmese pythons. The pieces of this mosaic are brown and a dark cream color, arranged on a black background. These snakes, also known by the scientific name Python molurus bivitatus, have a mosaic-like rectangular pattern on their scales. They prefer habitats with damp terrain and cover to hide under, including river valleys, grassy marshes, and rainforests. Unfortunately, they’re also an invasive species in Florida. Burmese Pythonsīurmese pythons’ range includes locations across southern Asia, through China and Indonesia.

When they do hunt, green anacondas kill their prey by constriction. They have a low metabolism and will go weeks or even months between meals. These snakes are slow-moving ambush hunters that will eat any vertebrates they can find and swallow. In captivity, they can live up to 30 years. In the wild, a green anaconda will live to be around 10 years old. On average, male green anacondas grow to around 10 feet in length, while the female green anacondas grow to around 20 feet. As adults, they can range between 10 and 40 feet.įemales are usually longer and heavier than males (sexual dimorphism). Green anacondas have small eyes and nostrils on top of their heads.Īccording to the Animal Diversity Web, green anacondas in the wild are the largest snakes ever found in the world. There is also a dark black stripe running between their eyes and their jaws. On their backs, they have round, brown blotches with black borders. These snakes have dark olive-green dorsal scales and yellow belly scales. They prefer to live in shallow freshwater habitats, such as lakes, streams, and swamps. This is a tropical, semi-aquatic snake found in rainforests, savannas, and grasslands. The green anaconda, Eunectes murinus, is native to South America, though some small populations of this snake have been introduced in Florida. Then, we will discuss some things to keep in mind before you introduce one of these massive snakes in your home. Here we explore the world of huge pet snakes, learning about the 3 largest snakes that can be safely and legally kept in captivity by experienced owners. These big snakes are not overly aggressive animals, but their size and strength can make them a threat to small children and vulnerable adults. The record for the largest snake in captivity is held by a reticulated python named Medusa. Other notable large pet snakes are the infamous boa constrictor and the African rock python, the largest snake in Africa. Green anacondas, Burmese pythons, and reticulated pythons are the 3 biggest snakes that can be owned as pets. These species are known not only for their impressive size but also for their beautiful scales. While laws vary considerably between different states and countries, you can own several large species of snake as pets. When it comes to snakes, bigger is definitely better.
