Scientists recently discovered a new species of green anaconda in the Amazon rainforest, with footage showing a female measuring 16 to 17 feet. This discovery revealed that green anacondas, previously thought to be a single species, actually consist of two: the southern green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) and the newly identified northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima). Genetic analysis indicates these species diverged 10 million years ago, with the northern inhabiting the northern Amazon basin and the southern in the southern basin. Despite their massive size—some weighing over 550 pounds and exceeding 12 inches in girth—anacondas have maintained their large size for over 12 million years, with fossil evidence confirming their body length has remained stable. Fossil vertebrae from Venezuela show that ancient anacondas were similar in size to modern ones, around 4-5 meters, and did not grow larger despite warmer climates during the Miocene period. This stability contrasts with other giant reptiles of the era, such as the black caiman and giant turtle, which went extinct. The persistence of the anaconda's gigantism suggests resilience and stable habitats over millions of years. The study, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, highlights that environmental changes did not lead to further growth or reduction in size, contradicting expectations based on climate. Fossil collection from Venezuela played a key role in establishing this timeline, and the findings imply that anacondas' large size is an ancient, stable trait resistant to climate change, with current habitats sufficient to support their size.