A team of biologists encountered a northern green anaconda measuring 26 feet in length and weighing 440 pounds.

In a groundbreaking find in the Amazon rainforest, Dutch biologist and TV wildlife presenter Professor Freek Vonk identified the world's largest snake.

This northern green anaconda, at 26 feet and 440 pounds, is a newly identified species, separate from the previously known green anaconda species, causing both fascination and fear.

The groundbreaking research was shared in the MDPI Diversity journal, showcasing the significant features of this enormous snake.

Discovering the Northern Green Anaconda

Professor Vonk, alongside 14 researchers from nine different countries, discovered that this anaconda is distinct from the known green anaconda species in the Amazon.

Bryan Fry, a study co-author and biologist at the University of Queensland, explained to National Geographic the significant genetic differences. "They're five-and-a-half percent different, genetically. Now, to put that into context, [humans are] about two percent different from chimps."

The team named this new anaconda species Eunectes akayima, drawing from indigenous northern South American languages, meaning "great snake."

Vonk's experience swimming near this immense anaconda was captured on video, showcasing the snake's incredible size.

"You can see in the video the biggest anaconda I have ever seen, as thick as a car tire, 26 feet long and weighing over 440 lbs — with a head as big as my head," Vonk said.

The main researcher of the study, Jesus Rivas, mentioned that he discovered over 15 years ago the existence of more than one species of green anaconda. Together with his wife, Sarah Corey-Rivas, they have been examining samples for genetic variations. However, it has taken this long to officially release their results.

"Sarah and I started working on this in 2007 when we first noticed there was a big genetic difference between the Venezuelan samples and some samples from Peru," Rivas shared. "Then we started the process of gathering samples and collaborators throughout South America and beyond to complete the mosaic of samples that allowed us to put the study together."

The researchers also discussed how climate change is impacting the Amazon's ecosystem, which could endanger the northern green anaconda.

How Climate Change Is Affecting The Amazon

Climate change's global impacts have been recognized for years, yet Vonk emphasizes the specific threats rising temperatures and deforestation pose to the Amazon's wildlife.

"The Amazon region is under severe pressure from climate change and continued deforestation," he stated. "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."

Fry mentioned that the northern green anaconda's more limited habitat compared to snakes in the south makes it significantly more susceptible to climate change.

Nonetheless, this finding is thrilling for biologists and sparks curiosity about the potential existence of other undiscovered anaconda species.

"I have been studying anacondas for 32 years so this begs the question of how many other species there are that we do not know about," said Rivas.

"After 32 years of studying anacondas, this leads me to wonder about the number of other species out there that remain unknown," Rivas reflected.