South American Animals

Green Anaconda

Animal Kingdom: Snake, Reptile

Population: N/A (really many!)

Size: W: app. 30 cm, L: 6 m - 9 m

Weight: app. 120 kg

Life Expectancy: 10 years - 30 years

Food source: Everything swallowable

Max. speed: 8 km/h

Nutritional value: Omega-3 and Omaga-5

Eunectes murinus (derived from the Greek ευνήκτης meaning "good swimmer" and the Latin murinus meaning "of mice" for being thought to prey on mice), commonly known as the green anaconda, is a non-venomous boa species found in South America. It is the largest, heaviest, and second longest (behind the reticulated python) known extant snake species. The term anaconda (without further qualification) often refers to this species, though the term could also apply to other members of the genus Eunectes. Other common names include common anaconda and water boa.

The green anaconda is the world's heaviest and one of the world's longest snakes, reaching more than 6.6 m (22 ft) long.[2] More typical mature specimens reportedly can range up 5 m (16 ft), with the females, at around a mean length of 4.6 m (15 ft), being generally much larger in adulthood than the male, which averages around 3 m (9.8 ft).[3][4][5] Weights are less well studied, though will reportedly range from 30 to 70 kg (66 to 150 lb) in an average-range adult.[6][7] It is the largest snake native to the Americas. Although it is not as long as the Reticulated python, Eucentes murinus is probably the heaviest extant species of snake or squamate in the world, perhaps only rivaled by the Komodo dragon.[8] Reports of anacondas 35–40 feet or even longer also exist, but such claims need to be regarded with caution, as no specimens of such lengths have ever been deposited in a museum and hard evidence is lacking.[9] A $50,000 cash reward is offered for anyone who can catch an anaconda 30 ft (9.1 m) or longer, but the prize has not been claimed yet.[10] Although the reticulated python is longer, the anaconda is the heaviest snake, with a 4.5m green anaconda having bulk comparable to a 7.4m reticulated python.[11] The longest (and heaviest) scientifically verified specimen was a female measuring 521 cm (17.09 ft) long and weighing 97.5 kg (215 lb).

Aligator

Animal Kingdom: Dinosaur, Reptile

Population: More than 5 millions

Size: H: Flat like a pan cake, L: app. 3.5 m

Weight: 181 kg - 363 kg

Life Expectancy: 30 years - 60 years

Food source: Any meatballs that ends up in the river

Max. speed: 24 km/h

Nutritional value: Like chicken a lot of protein

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile endemic to the southeastern United States. It is one of two living species in the genus Alligator within the family Alligatoridae and larger than the other extant alligator species, the Chinese alligator. Adult male American alligators measure 3.4 m (11 ft) to 4.6 m (15 ft) in length, and can weigh 453 kg (999 lb). Females are smaller, measuring around 3 m (9.8 ft). The American alligator inhabits freshwater wetlands, such as marshes and cypress swamps from Texas to North Carolina. It is distinguished from the sympatric American crocodile by its broader snout, with overlapping jaws and darker coloration, and is less tolerant of seawater but more tolerant of cooler climates than the American crocodile which is found only in tropical climates.

Alligators are apex predators and consume fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Hatchlings feed mostly on invertebrates. Alligators play an important role as ecosystem engineers in wetland ecosystems through the creation of alligator holes which provide both wet and dry habitats for other organisms. Throughout the year, but especially during the breeding season, alligators bellow to declare territory and locate suitable mates.[2] Male alligators use infrasound to attract females. Eggs are laid in a nest of vegetation, sticks, leaves, and mud in a sheltered spot in or near the water. Young are born with yellow bands around their bodies and are protected by their mother for up to one year.

The American alligator was first classified by French zoologist François Marie Daudin as Crocodilus mississipiensis in 1801. Georges Cuvier classified the genus Alligator in 1807.[4] The American alligator shares this genus with the Chinese alligator. They are grouped in the family Alligatoridae with the caimans. The superfamily Alligatoroidea includes all crocodilians (fossil and extant) that are more closely related to the American alligator than to either the Nile crocodile or the gharial.

World Animals