Behavior[edit]
The primarily nocturnal anaconda species tend to spend most of its life in or around water. Anacondas are also sometimes known as the water boa; they spend more time in water than any of the boas. They seem rather slow and sluggish when traveling on land due to their size, although they have the potential to reach high speeds in the water. They tend to float beneath the surface of the water with their snouts above the surface. When prey passes by or stops to drink, the anaconda will strike (without eating or swallowing it) and coil around it with its body. The snake will then constrict until it has successfully suffocated the prey.[23]
Feeding[edit]
Senckenberg Museum exhibit of acapybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) being swallowed
Primarily aquatic, they eat a wide variety of prey, almost anything they can manage to overpower, including fish, birds, a variety ofmammals, and other reptiles. Particularly large anacondas may even consume large prey such as tapirs, deer, capybaras, and caimans, but such large meals are not regularly consumed. Many local stories and legends report the anaconda as a man-eater, but little evidence supports any such activity. They employ constriction to subdue their prey. Cannibalism among green anacondas is also known, most recorded cases involving a larger female consuming a smaller male. While the exact reason for this is not understood, scientists cite several possibilities, including the dramatic sexual dimorphism in the species, and the possibility that a female anaconda requires additional food intake after breeding to sustain the long period of gestation. The nearby male simply provides the opportunistic female a ready source of nutrition.[24]
Reproduction[edit]
Skeleton of Eunectes murinus. Exhibit in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan.
This species is solitary until the mating season, which occurs during the rainy season, and can last for several months, usually from April to May. During this time, males must find females. Typically, female snakes will lay down a trail of pheromones for the males to follow, but it is still unclear how the males of this species track a female's scent. Another possibility is that the female releases an airborne stimulant. This theory is supported by the observation of females that remain motionless while many males move towards them from all directions. Male anacondas also frequently flick their tongues to sense chemicals that signal the presence of the female.[25]
Many males can often find the same female. Although it may not be necessary for there to be more than one male, this results in odd clusters referred to as "breeding balls", in which up to 12 males wrap around the same female and attempt to copulate. The group could stay in this position from two to four weeks. This ball acts as a slow-motion wrestling match between the males, each one fighting for the opportunity to mate with the female.
During mating, males make use of their spurs to arouse the female. They aggressively press their cloacal regions hard against the female body, while continuously scratching her with their spurs. This can produce a scratching sound. Mating approaches its climax when the stimulus of the males' spurs induces the female snake to raise her cloacal region, allowing the cloacae of the two snakes to move together. The male then coils his tail, surrounding the female and they copulate.[26]The strongest and largest male is often the victor. However, females are physically much larger and stronger and may decide to choose from among the males. Courtship and mating occur almost exclusively in water.
Mating is followed by a gestation period that lasts about six to seven months. The species is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young. Litters usually consists of 20 to 40 offspring, although as many as 100 may be produced. After giving birth, females may lose up to half their weight.
Neonates (babies) are around 70–80 cm long and receive no parental care. Because of their small size, they often fall prey to other animals. Should they survive, they grow rapidly until they reach sexual maturity in their first few years, after which their rate of growth continues at a slower pace.[23]
However when no male anacondas are available to provide offspring facultative parthenogenesis is possible. In August 2014 West Midlands Safari Park announced that on 12 August 2014 a female Green anaconda, which was being kept with an other female anaconda, through parthenogenesis had given birth to three little anacondas.[27][28]
Captivity[edit]
Anacondas, like other snakes and most other reptiles, can quite easily adapt to a change in the climate, environment, and near surroundings when necessary. The reasons for an anaconda's needing to adapt can vary. They may need to adjust to changes in the availability of food, and any diseases they may be exposed to in new surroundings. An anaconda might also have to adjust to changes in temperature and humidity. Changes in temperature could drastically affect the snake because it is ectothermal, and relies on its environment to control its temperature. If the temperature of its surroundings increases, a snake will do everything possible to prevent its body from overheating, and if it decreases, it will attempt to lie in heated areas to help maintain its normal temperature. Anacondas control and regulate their body temperatures by changing the amount of surface of their skin exposed to the sun. If the terrarium, location, or "tank" where a reptile is kept is uniformly heated, producing what is known as "the greenhouse effect", then the snake could possibly die from overheating (hyperthermia). The humidity of its surroundings might also be slightly different from the humidity to which the snake was previously accustomed. This could, potentially, drastically alter its shedding cycle. The obstruction of this cycle is extremely dangerous. The hindrance of an anaconda's shedding cycle most often causes retention of eye caps.[29] Due to these conditions and emotions of the snake, anacondas are known for their aggressive disposition when being held in captivity.
Behavior[edit]The primarily nocturnal anaconda species tend to spend most of its life in or around water. Anacondas are also sometimes known as the water boa; they spend more time in water than any of the boas. They seem rather slow and sluggish when traveling on land due to their size, although they have the potential to reach high speeds in the water. They tend to float beneath the surface of the water with their snouts above the surface. When prey passes by or stops to drink, the anaconda will strike (without eating or swallowing it) and coil around it with its body. The snake will then constrict until it has successfully suffocated the prey.[23]Feeding[edit] Senckenberg Museum exhibit of acapybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) being swallowedPrimarily aquatic, they eat a wide variety of prey, almost anything they can manage to overpower, including fish, birds, a variety ofmammals, and other reptiles. Particularly large anacondas may even consume large prey such as tapirs, deer, capybaras, and caimans, but such large meals are not regularly consumed. Many local stories and legends report the anaconda as a man-eater, but little evidence supports any such activity. They employ constriction to subdue their prey. Cannibalism among green anacondas is also known, most recorded cases involving a larger female consuming a smaller male. While the exact reason for this is not understood, scientists cite several possibilities, including the dramatic sexual dimorphism in the species, and the possibility that a female anaconda requires additional food intake after breeding to sustain the long period of gestation. The nearby male simply provides the opportunistic female a ready source of nutrition.[24]Reproduction[edit] Skeleton of Eunectes murinus. Exhibit in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan.This species is solitary until the mating season, which occurs during the rainy season, and can last for several months, usually from April to May. During this time, males must find females. Typically, female snakes will lay down a trail of pheromones for the males to follow, but it is still unclear how the males of this species track a female's scent. Another possibility is that the female releases an airborne stimulant. This theory is supported by the observation of females that remain motionless while many males move towards them from all directions. Male anacondas also frequently flick their tongues to sense chemicals that signal the presence of the female.[25]Many males can often find the same female. Although it may not be necessary for there to be more than one male, this results in odd clusters referred to as "breeding balls", in which up to 12 males wrap around the same female and attempt to copulate. The group could stay in this position from two to four weeks. This ball acts as a slow-motion wrestling match between the males, each one fighting for the opportunity to mate with the female.
During mating, males make use of their spurs to arouse the female. They aggressively press their cloacal regions hard against the female body, while continuously scratching her with their spurs. This can produce a scratching sound. Mating approaches its climax when the stimulus of the males' spurs induces the female snake to raise her cloacal region, allowing the cloacae of the two snakes to move together. The male then coils his tail, surrounding the female and they copulate.[26]The strongest and largest male is often the victor. However, females are physically much larger and stronger and may decide to choose from among the males. Courtship and mating occur almost exclusively in water.
Mating is followed by a gestation period that lasts about six to seven months. The species is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young. Litters usually consists of 20 to 40 offspring, although as many as 100 may be produced. After giving birth, females may lose up to half their weight.
Neonates (babies) are around 70–80 cm long and receive no parental care. Because of their small size, they often fall prey to other animals. Should they survive, they grow rapidly until they reach sexual maturity in their first few years, after which their rate of growth continues at a slower pace.[23]
However when no male anacondas are available to provide offspring facultative parthenogenesis is possible. In August 2014 West Midlands Safari Park announced that on 12 August 2014 a female Green anaconda, which was being kept with an other female anaconda, through parthenogenesis had given birth to three little anacondas.[27][28]
Captivity[edit]
Anacondas, like other snakes and most other reptiles, can quite easily adapt to a change in the climate, environment, and near surroundings when necessary. The reasons for an anaconda's needing to adapt can vary. They may need to adjust to changes in the availability of food, and any diseases they may be exposed to in new surroundings. An anaconda might also have to adjust to changes in temperature and humidity. Changes in temperature could drastically affect the snake because it is ectothermal, and relies on its environment to control its temperature. If the temperature of its surroundings increases, a snake will do everything possible to prevent its body from overheating, and if it decreases, it will attempt to lie in heated areas to help maintain its normal temperature. Anacondas control and regulate their body temperatures by changing the amount of surface of their skin exposed to the sun. If the terrarium, location, or "tank" where a reptile is kept is uniformly heated, producing what is known as "the greenhouse effect", then the snake could possibly die from overheating (hyperthermia). The humidity of its surroundings might also be slightly different from the humidity to which the snake was previously accustomed. This could, potentially, drastically alter its shedding cycle. The obstruction of this cycle is extremely dangerous. The hindrance of an anaconda's shedding cycle most often causes retention of eye caps.[29] Due to these conditions and emotions of the snake, anacondas are known for their aggressive disposition when being held in captivity.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..

Behavior[edit]
The primarily nocturnal anaconda species tend to spend most of its life in or around water. Anacondas are also sometimes known as the water boa; they spend more time in water than any of the boas. They seem rather slow and sluggish when traveling on land due to their size, although they have the potential to reach high speeds in the water. They tend to float beneath the surface of the water with their snouts above the surface. When prey passes by or stops to drink, the anaconda will strike (without eating or swallowing it) and coil around it with its body. The snake will then constrict until it has successfully suffocated the prey.[23]
Feeding[edit]
Senckenberg Museum exhibit of acapybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) being swallowed
Primarily aquatic, they eat a wide variety of prey, almost anything they can manage to overpower, including fish, birds, a variety ofmammals, and other reptiles. Particularly large anacondas may even consume large prey such as tapirs, deer, capybaras, and caimans, but such large meals are not regularly consumed. Many local stories and legends report the anaconda as a man-eater, but little evidence supports any such activity. They employ constriction to subdue their prey. Cannibalism among green anacondas is also known, most recorded cases involving a larger female consuming a smaller male. While the exact reason for this is not understood, scientists cite several possibilities, including the dramatic sexual dimorphism in the species, and the possibility that a female anaconda requires additional food intake after breeding to sustain the long period of gestation. The nearby male simply provides the opportunistic female a ready source of nutrition.[24]
Reproduction[edit]
Skeleton of Eunectes murinus. Exhibit in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan.
This species is solitary until the mating season, which occurs during the rainy season, and can last for several months, usually from April to May. During this time, males must find females. Typically, female snakes will lay down a trail of pheromones for the males to follow, but it is still unclear how the males of this species track a female's scent. Another possibility is that the female releases an airborne stimulant. This theory is supported by the observation of females that remain motionless while many males move towards them from all directions. Male anacondas also frequently flick their tongues to sense chemicals that signal the presence of the female.[25]
Many males can often find the same female. Although it may not be necessary for there to be more than one male, this results in odd clusters referred to as "breeding balls", in which up to 12 males wrap around the same female and attempt to copulate. The group could stay in this position from two to four weeks. This ball acts as a slow-motion wrestling match between the males, each one fighting for the opportunity to mate with the female.
During mating, males make use of their spurs to arouse the female. They aggressively press their cloacal regions hard against the female body, while continuously scratching her with their spurs. This can produce a scratching sound. Mating approaches its climax when the stimulus of the males' spurs induces the female snake to raise her cloacal region, allowing the cloacae of the two snakes to move together. The male then coils his tail, surrounding the female and they copulate.[26]The strongest and largest male is often the victor. However, females are physically much larger and stronger and may decide to choose from among the males. Courtship and mating occur almost exclusively in water.
Mating is followed by a gestation period that lasts about six to seven months. The species is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young. Litters usually consists of 20 to 40 offspring, although as many as 100 may be produced. After giving birth, females may lose up to half their weight.
Neonates (babies) are around 70–80 cm long and receive no parental care. Because of their small size, they often fall prey to other animals. Should they survive, they grow rapidly until they reach sexual maturity in their first few years, after which their rate of growth continues at a slower pace.[23]
However when no male anacondas are available to provide offspring facultative parthenogenesis is possible. In August 2014 West Midlands Safari Park announced that on 12 August 2014 a female Green anaconda, which was being kept with an other female anaconda, through parthenogenesis had given birth to three little anacondas.[27][28]
Captivity[edit]
Anacondas, like other snakes and most other reptiles, can quite easily adapt to a change in the climate, environment, and near surroundings when necessary. The reasons for an anaconda's needing to adapt can vary. They may need to adjust to changes in the availability of food, and any diseases they may be exposed to in new surroundings. An anaconda might also have to adjust to changes in temperature and humidity. Changes in temperature could drastically affect the snake because it is ectothermal, and relies on its environment to control its temperature. If the temperature of its surroundings increases, a snake will do everything possible to prevent its body from overheating, and if it decreases, it will attempt to lie in heated areas to help maintain its normal temperature. Anacondas control and regulate their body temperatures by changing the amount of surface of their skin exposed to the sun. If the terrarium, location, or "tank" where a reptile is kept is uniformly heated, producing what is known as "the greenhouse effect", then the snake could possibly die from overheating (hyperthermia). The humidity of its surroundings might also be slightly different from the humidity to which the snake was previously accustomed. This could, potentially, drastically alter its shedding cycle. The obstruction of this cycle is extremely dangerous. The hindrance of an anaconda's shedding cycle most often causes retention of eye caps.[29] Due to these conditions and emotions of the snake, anacondas are known for their aggressive disposition when being held in captivity.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
