Good evening dear readers

I am preparing related materials for the upcoming new video. In my ancient library, I found a piece of dusty historical information about the red-tailed anaconda. This Gothic history touches on the species' characteristics, behavior, and cultural beliefs of its early inhabitants.


Before the story begins, let us briefly introduce the historical background: In the middle of the 19th century, rumbling steam cruise ships carried European explorers and scholars to the New World in batches for inspection. They not only brought back a variety of animal and plant specimens, but also brought back the remaining local myths and folk beliefs.


These 19th-century records are valuable because in the following hundred years, these ancient beliefs about species gradually dissipated among the people with the colonial expansion of Spain and Portugal. And this information related to the red-tailed anaconda tells us the stories and madness of that era...
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“….Their shape is very slender. The beautifully shaped head is clearly separated from the body on both sides. The neck is relatively thin, the sides of the body are flat, there is a deep groove in the middle (backbone), and the tail can be rolled up to varying degrees. The head is usually covered with small rather than large scales, and the underside of the tail is covered with broad scales arranged in a row. Teeth are present on the upper, lower, upper jaw, and pterygoids, but not on the premaxilla.

“….Their shape is very slender. The beautifully shaped head is clearly separated from the body on both sides. The neck is relatively thin, the sides of the body are flat, there is a deep groove in the middle (backbone), and the tail can be rolled up to varying degrees. The head is usually covered with small rather than large scales, and the underside of the tail is covered with broad scales arranged in a row. Teeth are present on the upper, lower, upper jaw, and pterygoids, but not on the premaxilla.

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The red-tailed anaconda is one of the most beautiful of all snakes. Its markings are very beautiful and attractive, although there are only a few simple colors alternating with each other. The basic color is a pleasing reddish gray: a broad zigzag vertical stripe extends along the back with grayish-yellow spots in different shapes and broken edges on both sides; there are three dark vertical stripes on the head. Young red-tailed anacondas are more vividly colored, with egg-shaped spots connected by light-colored lines. It is said that the length of adult animals can even exceed 6 meters (*the actual length may be about 4 meters, the error of the observation results at that time was large)


Based on our current knowledge, the stories told by early travelers about the red-tailed anaconda appear to be quite interesting. They attribute all kinds of deformities to it. Even in Lacépède's time (*the original author believes that science was sufficiently advanced at that time), people believed all the exaggerations and romantic stories told by ignorant travelers, especially missionaries:


"Without considering the legend of the "Serpent of the Gods," it seems certain that in many areas, especially in the Isthmus of Panama, travelers encountered Abbot snakes (due to their sluggishness and torpor) lurking in the dense grass of forests. ). If the story is to be believed - they even sat down on the snakes - as they mistook the animals for fallen tree trunks covered in grass and shrubs, and the snakes did not move. Only when they were near the snakes When a fire is lit, the warmth revives it so that it begins to move, at which point travelers discover its presence with horror and flee."

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Lacépède's quote is based on a story told by Father Simon. In order not to bring bad luck to the priest, I have to say that this type of story can be found in other recent works. Lacépède believes that the name "Snake of the Gods" appeared on the red-tailed anaconda because the ancient Mexicans worshiped it. Of course, I'm not sure whether the Mexicans worshiped an actual red-tailed anaconda or another similar species of the family found in Mexico, and I'm not sure whether such worship actually took place, but I think there's reason to think that "the god of the gods" The name "Snake" is based on the idolatrous practice of the Negro people of South and Central America toward snakes. Among the modern Indians, as far as I know, even if there was such a custom, the current snakes have lost a similar meaning in their hearts; on the other hand, among the Negro people, they play an important role

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The red-tailed anaconda's home range appears to be less widespread than is often imagined, as different species of anacondas are often misidentified. Dumeril and Bibron believe that its native range is limited to the northern and eastern countries of South America, namely Guyana, Brazil and Argentina.


According to Prince Verde (*picture below), it is ubiquitous along the east coast of Brazil, as far south as Rio de Janeiro and Cabo Frio. It inhabits caves and crevices in rocks, tree roots and other hiding places, often in small groups of four, five or more, sometimes climbing trees to wait for predators. It never enters the water because other closely related species inhabit it (*may refer to species of the genus Anaconda, whose distribution and habits are subject to the latest scientific reports)

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If people could monitor the nocturnal activities of red-tailed anacondas, they would undoubtedly get a completely different picture of their lives and behavior than we know. However, even during the day, it will not let go of passing prey. But its real hunting time must begin at dusk. This is evident in their behavior outdoors and in captivity.

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All travelers who have wandered through the forests of South America and encountered red-tailed anacondas agree that they will lie motionless or dumbfounded in the same place, only darting away when an opponent gets a few steps closer to them, sometimes because it is too late. If they run away, they will even be beaten to death with sticks.


Prince Weed said that in Brazil, red-tailed anacondas are usually beaten to death with sticks or shot with shotguns, because when the shotgun goes off, it is knocked to the ground immediately. In Brazil, good and honest hunters laugh when you ask whether such snakes are also dangerous to humans (*meaning hunters do not tell exaggerated stories); because only vulgar people tell stories about these animals" Adventure stories”, however, these (*almost fictional) stories are always dismissed by connoisseurs and observers.


In Southeast America, killed pythons are used for a variety of purposes. It is said that the meat is eaten by the Negro people; the fat is regarded as an effective remedy for various diseases; the skin is used to tan to make boots, saddle blankets, etc.; the Negro people also wrap it around the abdomen as a Means of preventing various diseases...."

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I wonder if anyone else has read this story, as I have not found any Chinese literature before. So this article may be the first translation in China. If you also like to read these historical materials, please like, leave a comment and forward it, so that I will be motivated to continue telling about their cultural history.

The Landau series long video will be updated next weekend, so remember to watch it!

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