Walter S. Prado · CC0Yellow anaconda
Eunectes notaeus · kuriju
The great snake of the wetlands: non-venomous, it kills by constriction and is an excellent swimmer.
What it is
An ochre-yellow water boa with black blotches, the curiyú can exceed three meters. It spends much of its time in the water or among the vegetation of marshes and lagoons, lying in wait for birds, fish, rodents and small caimans. It isn't venomous: it kills by constriction. It usually flees from people and is key to the balance of the wetlands.
Did you know…?
In Guaraní it is called mbói kuriju. It has even been recorded in Asunción: in Parque Guasu, one was filmed digesting its prey.
Where
Marshes of the Humid Chaco, the Pantanal, Ñeembucú, Lake Ypoá and urban wetlands such as Parque Guasu and the Bay of Asunción.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.