The world’s largest snake has been discovered lifeless within the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest simply weeks after it was found.
A workforce of scientists found the beforehand undocumented species of large anaconda within the Amazon, throughout filming for National Geographic’s Disney+ collection Pole to Pole with Will Smith.
The large reptile, named Ana Julia, was discovered within the Formoso River within the rural space of Bonito in southern Brazil’s Mato Grosso do Sul State 5 weeks in the past.
The 26-foot northern inexperienced anaconda weighed round 440lbs – or 31 stone – and had a head the identical dimension as a human’s.
There have been studies claiming the snake might have been shot however a Dutch researcher who helped uncover the Ana Julia pressured the reason for dying was nonetheless being investigated.
Professor Freek Vonk shared the information on Instagram, saying: “With enormous pain in my heart I want to let you know that the mighty big green anaconda I swam with was found dead in the river this weekend.”
“An iron-strong animal, a survivor, one that’s been swimming around Bonito for decades,” the professor added.
“As far as we know, she was super healthy and still in the prime of her life, and in the coming years she could have taken care of many descendants. Since there are not so many of this species of colossal giant snakes swimming around, the blow to biodiversity (and this particular species in particular) is also huge,” he added.
Professor Vonk beforehand mentioned he heard studies the snake was shot lifeless, however has since clarified that authorities haven’t but discovered any proof pointing in the direction of this.
“The cause of death is currently still being investigated, considering all possible options. So it’s also possible that she died a natural death,” he mentioned.
At the time of discovery, Professor Bryan Fry from The University of Queensland mentioned: “The size of these magnificent creatures was incredible – one female anaconda we encountered measured an astounding 6.3 metres long
“There are anecdotal reports from the Waorani people of other anacondas in the area measuring more than 7.5 metres long and weighing around 500 kilograms.”
The new species, described within the journal Diversity, diverged from the beforehand recognized southern inexperienced anaconda about 10 million years in the past, differing genetically from it by 5.5 per cent.
