Green Anaconda (Incredible Creatures by Safari Ltd.)

The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the heaviest species of snake in the world, and one of the longest. It is also one of the most familiar and feared species of snake. In capturing the human imagination the anaconda has become the subject of pulpy adventure novels, and B grade monster movies that have perpetuated many tall tales about its maximum size and potential man-eating abilities. As usual, the truth about the anaconda is far more mundane than what an active imagination might have you believe but the real anaconda is still a remarkable, intimidating, and awe-inspiring animal. Today’s review is for Safari Ltd.’s first attempt at the legendary serpent, it is part of their Incredible Creatures line and is new for 2022.

The green anaconda is a member of the boid family and can be found in a large swath of South America, east of the Andes and from Venezuela south to Paraguay. The green anaconda, and all four species in the genus Eunectes, are considered semi-aquatic and live in marshes, swamps, and slow-moving streams.

Reports of anacondas ranging from 20-40’ (6-12 meters) exist but the largest verified length for a green anaconda is 17’ (5.21 meters). The average for the species is between 9-15’ (2.7-4.5 meters) with females growing larger than males. Green anacondas generally weigh between 66-154 lbs. (30 to 70 kg.) although larger specimens exist. The Safari Ltd. anaconda is coiled up but using a tape measure I got a length of about 22” (55cm) for the body which would put it at 1/9 in scale for a 17’ specimen. Incidentally, it’s about life size for a newborn anaconda. The figure itself measures 6” (15cm) across.

The Safari green anaconda is presented laying coiled up and flat to the ground. It is not very dynamic, but it is realistic as this is exactly how you would expect to see this species if it were resting on land or in shallow water. Other toys that present the animal reared up in a striking pose would be largely inaccurate. Anacondas are ambush predators, laying in water with their snout above the surface, waiting for prey to pass by.

The water is their element and on land their bulk makes them slow and cumbersome. Even their eyes and nostrils are orientated to the tops of their head, making it easier to hide beneath the surface while watching for prey. These features are correctly conveyed on Safari’s model. Prey for green anacondas includes just about anything they can overpower up to the size of adult deer, tapir, peccaries, caiman, and capybara, but human predation has never been reliably documented for the species.

The entire surface of this anaconda is covered in minute scale detail that gives the toy a pleasing, lifelike look, and texture. The various larger facial scales are correctly orientated with labial scales present along the lips and belly scales sculpted on the underside. The body appears thick and heavy with various skin folds and musculature sculpted in such a way that you can realistically feel the effect that gravity would have on an animal so large.

The body is dark olive green in color with black blotches interspersed along its length. The olive green gradually fades to yellow on the tail and underside. Orange, black outlined spots run along the flanks and underside and the underside is decorated with black speckling as well. An orange, black outlined stripe runs behind each eye, a notable characteristic of the species. The paintjob compliments the sculpt exceptionally well and accurately conveys the dark mottled coloration that this ambush predator employs.

The Safari Ltd. green anaconda is easily the best anaconda ever produced in plastic, and now one of my all-time favorite pieces in my collection. Thanks to its attention to detail and realism this piece should serve well for educational purposes, dioramas, and toy photography. And although this figure is only a fraction of the size of the real animal it is so realistic in its execution that it should inspire awe in both children and adults in much the same way the actual animal would. The Safari anaconda is new for 2022 and should be available on Safari’s web site soon. No collection of reptiles or South American animals would be complete without it.