Context:
Recently, scientists discovered new species of green anaconda
Anacondas:
- Habitat – In swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams, mainly in the tropical rain forests of the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
- 4 species types – Green, yellow, dark-spotted, and Bolivian anacondas.
- Features – They are non-venomous constrictors, coiling their muscular bodies around captured prey and squeezing until the animal asphyxiates.
- Indicator species – Highly sensitive to environmental change.
- Healthy populations – Healthy, vibrant ecosystems, with ample food resources and clean water.
- Declining numbers – Environmental distress.
Green Anaconda:
- Also known as giant anacondas
- World’s largest snake – both length and weight
- Larger than all other anacondas
- Significance –
- Females are considerably larger than males
- Body colour and pattern provides camouflage, allowing them to blend in with the wet, dense vegetation of their habitat.
- They are well adapted to aquatic life
- Their nose and eyes are located on the top of their heads to help them see and breathe while swimming in the water
Types of green anaconda –
- Southern green anaconda
- Native to – Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
- IUCN Status – Highly Vulnerable
- Northern green anaconda
- Native to – Peru, Bolivia, French Guiana and Brazil
- IUCN Status – Least Concern
Source: Down to Earth
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Some species of turtles are herbivores.
2. Some species of fish are herbivores.
3. Some species of marine mammals are herbivores.
4. Some species of snakes are viviparous.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
