DANGEROUS ANACONDA!

WHAT IS ANACONDA?

          An anaconda is a large, non-venomous snake and although the name actually applies to a group of snakes, it is often used to refer to one species in particular - The common or green anaconda, EUNECTES MURINUS. It is one of the largest and most powerful snakes in the world. They are greenish-brown with a double row of black oval spots on the back and smaller white markings on the sides. Their scaly skin glistens but is dry is to the touch. The anaconda has a large head and a thick neck. Its eyes and nostrils are positioned on the top of the head, enabling the anaconda to breathe and to see its prey while its thick and strong body lies submerged under water. It smells with its tongue. It has no fangs.

 

WHERE IS IT FOUND?

         Anacondas are found in the rivers in the rain forests of South America, Brazil and Guiana. Water is their main escape method when confronted with danger. Rather than attacking, they will choose to slide into the water unnoticed. They spend a lot of their time in the dark waters of their habitat.

HOW BIG IS THE ANACONDA?

         Anacondas are very difficult for scientists to study or even find and so there is some debate about their maximum size. According to the records, the biggest anaconda ever found was of length more than 37 ft. There may be larger Anacondas which are unseen.Anacondas like to hang out in rivers so it would be difficult to estimate the length of one seen swimming without seeing the entire snake. It's the anaconda's ability to remain partly hidden in the water that makes it difficult to accurately find (and document) a specimen that exceeds the current world's record.

RAISING BABIES:-

         Green anacondas spend most of their time alone. However, between April and May, males seek out females for the opportunity to mate. Often times, multiple males will pursue the same female. This results in “breeding balls” of up to a dozen males wrapped around a single female, all attempting to mate. The breeding ball can last up to 4 weeks.

Once pregnant, the female will produce eggs inside her body. The eggs develop for 8-12 weeks and then hatch while still inside the mother’s body. She then gives birth to as many as 80 tiny snakes, each 30-60 cm (12-24 in.) in length.

DO ANACONDAS BITE?

        Anacondas have teeth, but they are not a venomous snake. They rely on their enormous size and power to topple their victims. It is possible to be bitten by an anaconda, but the bite itself would not be fatal. Anacondas eat amphibious animals like frogs and toads, as well as fish, caiman, birds, ducks and turtles.

HOW DOES AN ANACONDA KILL?

          Anacondas kill their prey by coiling their large, powerful bodies around their victims and squeezing until their prey suffocates or is crushed to death and dies from internal bleeding. Then the snake unhinges its jaw and swallows the victim whole. The anaconda's top and bottom jaws are joined together with stretchy ligaments (elastic band), which let the snake eat animals wider than itself. Snakes don't chew their food. The acids in the snake's stomach break it down.

FACTS ABOUT ANACONDA:- SOURCE

• Anacondas continue to grow as long as they live!
• Compared to other animals, anacondas live a very long life. Around 35 - 45 years!
• To prevent tick/ flea infestation, these snakes emit a foul-smelling substance which is poisonous to small creatures.
• Though the origin of their name is unknown, there are many versions of it. Some people believe that the word anaconda originated from the Sinhalese (language of Sri Lanka) word henakandeya meaning 'a thing with an enormous body' or 'a whip snake'. A few others believed that anaconda is taken from the Tamil (a language spoken in Tamil Nadu, a state in South India) word anaikondran that means 'elephant killer'.
• They are also known in South America by many local names like matatoro (a Spanish term which means 'bull killer'), yakumama and sucuri (Native American terms used for this snake).
• Out of the four types, namely Dark-spotted, Yellow, Green and Bolivian anacondas, the biggest species ever found is the Green Anaconda.
• The world's biggest snake i.e. the Green anaconda is also the heaviest snake, with a fully grown adult weighing more than 550 pounds (or 227 kilograms approximately) and being 9 meters (approximately 30 feet) long.
• The biological name of the Green anaconda, Eunectes murinus, is formed from the Greek word Eunectes meaning 'good swimmer' and Latin word murinus which means 'who hunts mice'.

   


ANACONDA EATING ITS PREY

HOW TO ESCAPE FROM AN ANACONDA ATTACK?  SOURCE 

Avoid going to areas where anacondas are likely to be seen.

Always keep a knife with you for safety.

Try not to get gripped in the first place. Stay out of shallow rivers because there is a chance of you getting an anaconda. If you do see a snake, don't get close to it. Watch out to see if it is tracking your movement, following you, and flicking its tongue. These are signs that it is getting ready to strike.

  If an anaconda ever starts squeezing you, bite the end of the snake's tail as hard as you can This will cause the anaconda tremendous pain, causing you to let go.

Hit the snake with anything that you can see, especially a rock or a sharp object like a knife.

Biting the anaconda in the middle of its body may not have the same effect as biting the tip of the tail.Anacondas are very thick, so you may not be able to do any real damage unless you get a weak spot.

A VIDEO OF ANACONDA SWALLOWING  ITS PREY:-

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BOATING FUN!

       

         Boating is a highly popular recreational activity all over the world. Recreational boating offers lots of opportunities for personal growth. Whether you are learning to secure a line, or enjoying the delicate taste of fresh fish that you caught yourself, boating recreation provides many different rewards for all ages.





         Boating basically refers to the leisurely pursuit of travelling by boat. Seas and rivers provide a great source of tranquillity for those boating enthusiasts looking to make the most out of this leisure activity. The deep blue waters of Indian Ocean, Nile, Mississippi, Atlantic Ocean e.t.c. can be thoroughly enjoyed for their beautiful surroundings. Places like  Palm Coast Florida , northwest of Indiana at Pasternick marina , etc. provides huge potential for boating buffs.It has been proven that boating is an effective tool for stress reduction. It improves the quality of life for  many people, as it provides a means of group recreation.         

       

      

         It is a fun way to exercise and be with family and friends, and it is easy to learn.

 There are at least 99 kinds of boats in existence, from little kayaks to cruising yachts. There are also various types of boats like pedal boats, canoes, speed boats, etc. that one can choose from. 

      Here's a look at some sports people do with the use of boats:

                                                                                             

Fishing -

Fishing is just one of the many forms of relaxation people do these days with either friends or family. It is a time for bonding and a great escape from the pressures of daily life. Fishing involves a lot of patience, challenge and a lot of skill. Anyone can participate in this fun activity, including the kids. It is advised to fish with friends rather than fishing alone.

 Water skiing-

      Water skiing for fun developed considerably during the eighties. Today, this physical sport is no longer reserved exclusively for competitors. Beginners and young children can take their first steps in total safety and enjoy the pleasure of skiing on the water. Skiing with two skis is the easiest way for beginners to attempt the sport.  This is carried out on two skis which are attached to the feet with flexible straps, but which also have a fin, offering greater stability and making it easier to turn.                                             

Racing -

     Sailboats and speedboats are the usual modes of boat racing. Routes, boat designs and other specifics depend on the groups/individuals involved.

But at times the activity of boating can be dangerous sport. You need to be very careful while boating through the seas, especially when the whether is rough and stormy. Here are some tips to follow while boating:-



LIFE JACKET



• Be weather wise : Sudden wind shifts, lightning flashes and choppy water can mean a storm is brewing.
• Bring a portable radio to check weather reports.
• Bring extra gear: You may need a flashlight, extra batteries, matches, a map of where you are, flares, suntan lotion, first aid kit, extra sunglasses. Put those that need to be protected in a watertight pouch or a container that floats.
• Inform : Tell someone where you are going, who is with you, and how long you will be away.
• Checklist : Check your boat, equipment, boat balance, engine and fuel supply before leaving.
• When travelling for a long distance in boats, always bring navigation charts.
• Do not sail the boat if you are drunk. Just like driving is dangerous when drunk, boating is also very dangerous if you are drunk.
• Life jackets save thousands of lives every year. The best way to prevent deaths while boating is to wear your life jacket.
• Practise defensive boating: stay alert. Be aware of others who are on or around the water when you're operating your boat. When you know what & who is around you and in the water, you know how to keep everyone safe & avoid accidents

SOME FACTS:-

1.  In 2003, there were 5,438 recreational boating accidents that resulted in 703 fatalities (down 6% from 2002) and 3,888 injuries.
2. Of the 481 drownings in 2003, 416 could have been prevented with use of a life jacket.
3. More than half of all the people in the U. S. live within 50 miles of a coastline
4. All children younger than age 13 must wear a life jacket while in a boat less than 26 feet in length that is underway.
5. Alcohol plays a role in 50 percent of all boating accidents, according to BOAT US.
6. Nearly 85% of boating fatality drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.

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