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If the world’s biggest snake had to be discovered anywhere in the world, it would have to be in the Amazon rainforest.

The stunning serpent was found to measure 26 feet long (around 8 metres) with a weight of 440 lbs (200 kilograms) and a head as large as a human’s.

If you’re wondering, the giant anaconda would absolutely be able to swallow you whole, no problem. Don’t worry, though, it is extremely rare.

Until now, only one species of Green Anaconda has been recognised in the Amazon, per the Independent. This one was found by TV wildlife presenter, Professor Freek Vonk.

However, researchers have given this snake the Latin name Eunectes akayima, which means the Northern Green Anaconda, and confirmed it as a distinct species in a new study, published in Diversity this month, per Daily Mail:

“As we all know it from movies and stories about giant snakes – are actually two different species. The green anacondas found in the north of their range in South America – including Venezuela, Suriname, and French Guiana – appear to belong to a completely different species.”

“Although they look almost identical at first glance, the genetic difference between the two is 5.5% and that is huge. To put this in perspective, humans and chimpanzees are only genetically different from each other by about 2%.”

Despite having a head the size of a human’s, it seems Professor Vonk, 40, wasn’t scared of getting up close and personal with the snake. Incredible footage shows the Dutch biologist swimming next to the enormous anaconda:

It looks too surreal to be real, in a way, especially with Professor Vonk swimming so casually in his dress shirt and kiddy-coloured snorkel set.  AI is not the culprit behind this freaky slitherer, though, as it is confirmed to be very much real.

And despite only just being discovered, the researchers say that the new species is already under threat.

Professor Vonk explained that the Amazon region is under severe pressure from climate change and continued deforestation.

“Over a fifth of the Amazon has already disappeared, which is more than 30 times the area of the Netherlands.”

The survival of these iconic giant snakes is inextricably linked to protecting their natural habitat, he concluded.

[source:independent]