Animal Guide

Common Anaconda

44 destinations · 23 states

Native Range: Northern and central South America

Common anacondas are hard to appreciate fully until you see just how much of their body is adapted to life in water. At a zoo or wildlife destination, one may lie partly submerged with only the head above the surface, then slowly glide forward with almost no movement visible above water. Their eyes and nostrils sit high on the head, allowing them to watch and breathe while remaining mostly hidden. Look closely at the thick, muscular body as it moves. Anacondas use their powerful coils to subdue prey, and their flexible jaws allow them to swallow meals whole. They are strong swimmers and often stay close to rivers, swamps, marshes, and flooded forests. A resting snake may appear completely still, but a flick of the tongue or slight shift of the head shows that it is constantly gathering information. Native to wetlands and waterways across northern and central South America, common anacondas are among the largest snakes in the world by mass. A close view of the patterned body and water-adapted head makes their semi-aquatic lifestyle much easier to understand.

Common Anaconda

Where to see Common Anaconda

44 destinations across 23 states

44 destinations

ABQ BioPark Zoo

Albuquerque, NM

Alligator Adventure

North Myrtle Beach, SC

Alligator Alley Adventures

Wisconsin Dells, WI

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

New Braunfels, TX

Ararat Ridge Zoo

Williamstown, KY

Audubon Zoo

New Orleans, LA

Bronx Zoo

Bronx, NY

Caldwell Zoo

Tyler, TX

Cameron Park Zoo

Waco, TX

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve

Thurmont, MD

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland

Allenwood, PA

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

St Paul, MN

Dickerson Park Zoo

Springfield, MO

Ellen Trout Zoo

Lufkin, TX

Emerald Coast Zoo

Crestview, FL

Franklin Park Zoo

Boston, MA

Henry Vilas Zoo

Madison, WI

Houston Zoo

Houston, TX

Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Jacksonville, FL

Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee, WI

Moody Gardens

Galveston, TX

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Nashville, TN

New England Aquarium

Boston, MA

Niabi Zoo

Coal Valley, IL

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, OK

Philadelphia Zoo

Philadelphia, PA

Reptile Gardens

Rapid City, SD

Reptile Lagoon

Hamer, SC

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Columbia, SC

Riverside Reptiles Education Center

Enfield, CT

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Providence, RI

Shedd Aquarium

Chicago, IL

Staten Island Zoo

Staten Island, NY

TGR Exotics Wildlife Park

Spring, TX

The Buffalo Zoo

Buffalo, NY

The Dallas World Aquarium

Dallas, TX

Tiger Safari Zoological Park

Tuttle, OK

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Toledo, OH

Tulsa Zoo

Tulsa, OK

Virginia Zoo

Norfolk, VA

Wildlife World Zoo

Litchfield Park, AZ

Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

Springfield, MO

Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta, GA

Zoo Miami

Miami, FL

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