In a dense corner of the Ecuadorian Amazon, deep in territory rarely seen by outsiders, a team of scientists filming with Will Smith for National Geographic stumbled upon something astonishing: a massive new species of anaconda that could rewrite what we know about the world’s largest snakes.
Led by Professor Bryan Fry, a herpetologist from The University of Queensland, the team was in the region for the filming of Pole to Pole with Will Smith. What they found there—thanks to the help of indigenous Waorani hunters—is now being described as one of the most important reptile discoveries in decades.
A Snake Bigger Than Science Expected
The species has been named the northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima), and the largest specimen collected during the trip measured an incredible 6.3 meters (20.7 feet) in length. While large anacondas are not new to science, what makes this discovery stand out is that this particular type had never been documented before.
According to Fry, the Waorani people have long reported the presence of massive snakes in their territory—some even over 7.5 meters long (more than 24 feet). Though unverified, those accounts now appear far more credible in light of the physical evidence gathered on this expedition.
“This is a completely new species. We had no idea these snakes existed before this trip,” Fry said in interviews following the discovery.
The northern green anaconda is genetically distinct from the southern green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), the previously known record-holder in the anaconda family.
Indigenous Knowledge Guided the Expedition
The discovery was only possible thanks to a close partnership with the Waorani, who regard the anacondas as sacred and have extensive knowledge of the rainforest ecosystem. Over the course of a 10-day expedition, they guided the scientists through the Bameno region of their territory using hand-carved canoes along narrow river systems. This collaboration enabled researchers to reach areas where these massive reptiles have long remained hidden.
Indigenous accounts pointed researchers to exact locations, where they encountered multiple large individuals lying in wait in shallow waters, typical hunting behavior for these ambush predators. Fry has emphasized that without the Waorani’s involvement, the discovery simply wouldn’t have happened.
“They knew where to look. They’ve lived with these creatures for generations,” he said.
A New Contender for the World’s Largest Snake?
So far, the largest reliably documented snake was a reticulated python stretching 7.67 meters, though it wasn’t as heavy as anacondas typically are. Green anacondas have always held the title for the heaviest snakes, with adult females usually being much larger than males. This new species, Eunectes akayima, appears to continue that pattern—except it may grow even longer than previously recorded individuals.
While no specimen over 24 feet (7.32 m) has yet been scientifically measured, the team believes it’s only a matter of time. Reports from the Waorani suggest that there are even larger snakes deeper within the Amazon, in areas still completely untouched by formal research.
A northern green anaconda. Credit: Jesus Rivas
Further expeditions are already being planned, and Fry’s team is working with conservation groups to preserve both the habitat and cultural practices of the Waorani.
Why It Matters for Science and Conservation
The discovery of a new apex predator in the Amazon is not just a zoological curiosity—it has broader implications. As climate change and deforestation continue to threaten fragile ecosystems, documenting species like Eunectes akayima becomes a race against time.
“Every time we find something like this, it reminds us how little we still know about these regions,” Fry said. “We’ve barely scratched the surface.”
For now, Eunectes akayima joins a growing list of species that highlight just how much of the natural world remains undocumented—and just how vital local knowledge is in uncovering it.