While filming alongside Will Smith in the Amazon, a team of scientists made a jaw-dropping discovery that could rewrite the record books. Deep in the jungle, they uncovered a previously unknown species of anaconda — one far larger than any ever documented before.
Filming for a National Geographic series, the researchers stumbled upon a massive new species deep in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest. The discovery has astonished the global scientific community and could forever change our understanding of these elusive and powerful reptiles.
Scientists discover the largest anaconda ever found in the Amazon during Will Smith’s show
A discovery unlike any other
Led by Professor Bryan Fry of the University of Queensland, the team made their extraordinary find in the remote Bameno region of the Baihuaeri Waorani territory — an area that rarely sees outsiders.
The newly identified species, called the northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima), may grow up to 20 feet long, surpassing previous size records for its relatives. The thrilling discovery occurred while the team was filming for National Geographic’s upcoming series Pole to Pole with Will Smith.
The hunt for the world’s largest snake
Over the course of a 10-day expedition, the scientists, guided by Indigenous hunters, trekked through dense jungle in search of the massive snakes that locals have long described as the largest on Earth.
Navigating through winding river systems by canoe, the team managed to capture several colossal specimens — including one that stretched a staggering 20.7 feet from head to tail.
The local legend: snakes that grow beyond 24 feet
Adding to the intrigue are the Indigenous legends surrounding these creatures.
Local accounts claim that some of these enormous serpents can exceed 24 feet in length. If verified, the northern green anaconda could become the largest snake ever recorded on the planet.
The Waorani people, who revere these giants as sacred, have long believed that the biggest anacondas inhabit their homeland — with reports suggesting individuals over 7.5 meters (more than 24 feet).
The hidden giant of the Amazon
The expedition was anything but easy. The team paddled for days through remote waterways, reaching the secluded areas where these giants are said to hide. There, they found the snakes lurking in swampy lowlands, patiently waiting for their prey.
During the mission, several massive individuals were captured and studied — the largest measuring 6.3 meters (20.7 feet). The find left researchers in awe and raised new questions about how many more of these giants remain hidden within the vast and wild Amazon basin.
Could even larger anacondas still be out there? One thing is clear: the northern green anaconda is rewriting the record books, and the Amazon continues to guard secrets that even modern science has yet to reveal.
