Eunectes beniensis explained

Eunectes beniensis is a boa species known only from the northeastern parts of Bolivia. Its common names, the Bolivian anaconda and Beni anaconda, are derived from the geographic location of its native habitat: the Beni area of Bolivia. Like all boas, it is nonvenomous.

Description

Eunectes beniensis is a species of boa, reaching between 3.3- in length and can weigh up to 35kg (77lb). It was initially believed to be the result of hybridization between the green (Eunectes murinus) and yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), but was later determined to be a distinct species. Its taxonomic status is unclear due to lack of information and the similarity in appearance to Eunectes notaeus. It is closely related to Eunectes notaeus and Eunectes deschauenseei.

Range, habitat and behavior

The Bolivian anaconda's habitat usually consists of wetlands and other muddy, swampy or flooded areas. It is known only from northern Bolivia.

In April 2022, three researchers published data on an observation of Bolivian river dolphins playing with a large (presumably deceased) E. beniensis specimen.^{[1] [2]}

Bibliography

• Book: Dirksen, Lutz. 2002. Anakondas. Natur und Tier-Verlag. Münster. de. 3931587436.
• Dirksen. Lutz. Böhme. Wolfgang. 2005. Studies on anacondas III. A reappraisal of Eunectes beniensis Dirksen, 2002, from Bolivia, and a key to the species of the genus Eunectes Wagler, 1830 (Serpentes: Boidae). Russian Journal of Herpetology. 12. 3. 223–229. 10.30906/1026-2296-2005-12-3-223-229. 31 January 2024.
• Book: Reed. Robert N.. Rodda. Gordon H.. Giant constrictors: Biological and management profiles and an establishment risk assessment for nine large species of pythons, anacondas, and the boa constrictor. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1202. U.S. Geological Survey. Reston, Virginia. 2009.
• Anonymous. 1963. Hybrid anacondas. Animal Kingdom. 66. 31.
• Dirksen. Lutz. 1995. Zur Reptilienfauna Boliviens unter spezieller Berücksichtigung taxonomischer und zoogeographischer Aspekte. MSc. Universität Bonn. Bonn. de.
• Dirksen. Lutz. 2000. Monographische Revision der Gattung Eunectes Wagler, 1830 (Serpentes, Boidae). PhD. Universität Bonn. Bonn. de.

External links

• Web site: Beni Anaconda, Eunectes beniensis Dirksen. Giant Constricting Snakes – The Science of Large Serpents. 9 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130826120544/http://www.giantconstrictingsnakes.com/beniensis.html. 26 August 2013.
• Web site: Myers. P.. Espinosa. R.. Parr. C. S.. Jones. T.. Hammond. G. S.. Dewey. T. A.. Eunectes beniensis: Classification. 2020. . University of Michigan Museum of Zoology . 2 September 2020.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Yirka . Bob . Bolivian river dolphins observed playing with an anaconda . . 5 May 2022.
2. Entiauspe-Neto . Omar M. . Reichle . Steffen . dos Rios . Alejandro . A case of playful interaction between Bolivian River Dolphins with a Beni Anaconda . . 12 April 2022 . 103 . 8 . e3724 . 10.1002/ecy.3724. 35412650 . 2022Ecol..103E3724E . 248099710 .