THE LIVING WORLD. 
^3 
The Anaconda. The number of snakes whose natural habitat is the 
waters is few, those above described being the most interesting specimens, and 
as we have seen they are generally of an inoffensive nature. Following closely 
upon the water species comes an amphibious reptile which, though innocuous, 
is none the less dreaded, because of its gigantic size and crushing power. It 
is native to 
the equatorial 
regions of 
South Ameri¬ 
ca, and most 
common along 
the Orinoco 
and Amazon 
Rivers. Con¬ 
cerning this 
great reptile 
Sir Robert 
Porter writes: 
“ The ana¬ 
conda is not 
venomous, 
nor is it 
known to in¬ 
jure men; 
however, the 
natives stand 
in great fear 
of it, never 
bathing in 
waters where 
it is known 
to exist. Its 
common 
haunt is in¬ 
variably near 
lakes, swamps 
and rivers; 
likewise close 
to ravines pro¬ 
duced by in¬ 
undations of 
periodical 
rains; hence, 
from its aqua¬ 
tic habits is anaconda. 
the common . . 
appellation, ivater snake , given. Fish, and those animals which repair there 
to drink, are the objects of its prey. The creature lurks watchfully under 
cover of the water, and while an unsuspecting animal is drinking, suddenly 
