What is a baby anaconda?
Baby anacondas are born fully-fledged hunters from the moment they open their eyes to the world. They do not hatch from eggs; their mothers give birth to them live. A single birth can result in 20 to 40 offspring. Each of these offspring is born averaging 60-70 cm in length and must immediately begin fighting for survival on their own.
Baby anacondas do not form any bond with their mothers from the moment they are born. In fact, it has been observed that the mother attempts to eat her young. For this reason, the young must quickly move away immediately after birth. Their independent birth and their ability to swim and hide from the moment they are born demonstrate how early their survival instincts kick in.
Swimming Ability Immediately After Birth
Baby anacondas enter the water immediately after birth and begin swimming instantly. Even within a few minutes, they can hold their breath underwater and hide silently. This ability protects them from becoming prey in regions like the Amazon, which are teeming with predators. They have been observed staying underwater for up to 10 minutes.
Born with Hunting Genes
A baby anaconda can begin hunting small animals such as mice, birds, or frogs within a few days. They have no venom but use their powerful muscles to constrict and suffocate their prey. The precision with which they position themselves before swallowing their prey indicates an innate strategic intelligence.
Skin Colors Provide a Camouflage Advantage
The skin of baby anacondas is paler than that of adults and blends in better with algae. This camouflage makes them invisible, especially to birds. Since the patterns on their bodies are not yet fully developed, they resemble rocks and branches underwater.
They Even Flee from Their Own Siblings
From the moment they are born, baby anacondas are doomed to solitude and avoid not only their mothers but also their siblings. It is known that young anacondas from the same litter attack each other and view one another as rivals in small spaces. This is one of the most striking examples of natural selection at work.
No Maternal Behavior
Despite being one of the largest snake species in the world, green anacondas show no parental care toward their young. They abandon their offspring after birth, and this behavior is genetically encoded throughout the species. In fact, it has been documented that the female, after giving birth, consumes her own offspring to compensate for the high protein loss over the following days.
They Target Lizard and Bird Young
In their first weeks, baby anacondas primarily target defenseless bird chicks and small aquatic lizards. These prey items are both easy to catch and easy to digest. Their prey preferences directly influence their growth rate, as the wrong or overly large prey can kill the young from the inside.
Eyes Adapted to Night Vision
Baby anacondas have eyes that are well-developed to see details even in low light. The area where they are born is usually covered with dense foliage, so even during the day, it is full of shadows. Therefore, their pupils dilate in the dark, allowing them to easily detect prey.
Uses Its Tail as a Weapon
Although a newborn anaconda may appear defenseless, it can suddenly whip its tail like a whip to startle its enemies. The tip of its tail is not sharp, but its sudden movement is sufficient to deter threats such as birds or small predators. This reflexive defense mechanism significantly increases survival rates during the first few weeks of life.
Breathes Silently
Baby anacondas do not make a sound when surfacing. Since their nostrils are located on the top of their heads, they only need to emerge a few millimeters above the water's surface. This silent breathing method makes it difficult for predators to detect their location. Many hunters cannot even notice a baby anaconda just a few centimeters away.
Dramatic Growth in the First Month
Baby anacondas that are able to hunt sufficiently can increase their length by up to 50% in their first month. This growth brings with it the development of muscle structure and the opportunity to target larger prey. However, this rapid growth requires a high intake of protein; starving babies stall in their growth process and become easier prey.
Odors Easily Detected by Predators
Baby anacondas are easily detected by otters and predatory fish due to the natural chemicals they secrete from their skin. For this reason, some babies try to suppress their scent by burrowing into muddy areas. These behaviors are usually instinctive and can vary depending on environmental conditions.
Can Survive Not Only in Water but Also on Land
Although anacondas are known as water snakes, young anacondas can survive on land for short periods of time. They can hide in muddy areas for several days after floods, staying away from predators in the water. This temporary terrestrial life is a flexible strategy that increases their survival rate.
Avoid Eye Contact
Baby anacondas avoid making eye contact with any creature they perceive as a threat. This applies to both humans and other animals. They remain motionless, attempting to make themselves “invisible” to their surroundings. This behavior may have evolved to eliminate the bright reflection of their eyes.
Skin Shedding Begins Early
They undergo their first skin shedding within the first 7–10 days after birth. This process aids both growth and the removal of parasites. The first skin of baby anacondas is typically dull and rough; the new skin is more flexible and shiny, enhancing their mobility.
Some Die Without Ever Entering Water
Young anacondas that cannot reach water immediately after hatching are quickly preyed upon by birds. Therefore, the proximity of the birth site to water is the most critical factor determining whether a young anaconda survives its first few minutes. In some births, young anacondas are born directly into water, which gives them an advantage.
They Create Shelters Under Leaves
In the first few days, the young hide under large leaves and wait in the shade. These areas provide protection from predatory birds and help them survive by minimizing energy loss due to the coolness. Observers have noted that the young repeatedly use the same leaf shelters.
Silent Hunting
Baby anacondas approach their prey by moving in circular patterns around it. During this time, they barely create any ripples in the water. This silence is crucial when approaching sensitive prey like frogs and small fish. Even if the prey notices them at the last moment, they can catch it with a sudden leap thanks to their reflexes.
Some Go Blind at an Early Age
Due to eye infections or congenital deformities, some baby anacondas lose their sight completely when they are only a few weeks old. However, this does not prevent them from surviving. Blind babies can continue to hunt underwater thanks to their vibration perception and heat-sensitive nerve endings.
They Sense Carbon Dioxide Levels
Baby anacondas have biological sensitivity that allows them to detect the carbon dioxide levels emitted by their prey. This feature is particularly useful for finding small mammals or water birds hiding underwater. These tiny bubbles, which are invisible to humans, can be decisive in helping the baby anaconda navigate.
They Do Not Turn Upside Down While Hunting
In some snake species, the head must be turned sideways or the body must be positioned accordingly while hunting. However, baby anacondas swallow their prey directly from the front without curling their bodies. This allows them to remain motionless during digestion, enabling them to continue hiding.
They Use Water Surface Tension
Baby anacondas can move forward as if walking on top of their prey by using the surface tension of the water. Especially in the morning hours, when the moisture and air pressure on the water are ideal, they can approach a frog without even touching it using this strategy.
Rare Locations Outside the Amazon
Although their native habitat is the Amazon basin in South America, some juvenile anaconda sightings have been reported in the coastal swamps of Venezuela and the floodforests of Colombia. Juveniles in these regions may have paler body colors and more aggressive behavior. The balance of prey and predators in the environment can highlight these natural differences.
Some Eat Their Own Skin
During molting, the outer skin that peels off is sometimes eaten by baby anacondas. While the exact reason for this behavior is unknown, some researchers speculate it may be for mineral recovery or to erase hunting traces. This could also serve as a way to escape predators without leaving a trail.
Underwater Slithering Movement
Baby anacondas use the same coiling movement seen on land while underwater. However, thanks to the lateral muscles they use like fins, they gain extra maneuverability for changing direction and making sudden escapes. These movements are particularly vital when facing otters.
80% Die by the End of the First Year
The harshness of nature is clearly evident in baby anacondas. By the end of the first year, only 2 out of every 10 babies survive. The rest die from starvation, predators, or disease. This high mortality rate is why the species produces so many offspring.