In Lower Bavaria, on the banks of the Danube, a woman discovered an unusual find - an anaconda more than two meters long, dpa reported.
The snake was basking in the sun near the town of Kirchrot in the Straubing Bogen region, hundreds of kilometers from the natural range of the South American species.
The 66-year-old woman noticed the snake during a walk and immediately realized that it was not a local species. "The snake was longer than the ones we meet here," he told the police.
In particular, vipers and Aesculapian snakes live in the region. These non-venomous snakes can also grow to considerable sizes. Aesculapian snake can reach up to two meters.
Policemen, firefighters, as well as a reptile specialist arrived at the scene. He quickly found out that the found snake was an anaconda, a large snake living in South America.
Apparently, the animal was kept in captivity for some time. At the time of capture, the anaconda did not resist.
In Bavaria, keeping an anaconda is only allowed if strict requirements are met. According to the legislation of the territory, large dragon snakes are classified as "dangerous wild animals".
Anacondas can reach up to nine meters in length and weigh up to 200 kilograms. Smaller individuals mainly feed on birds, which remain the main prey for males throughout their lives.
As females grow and reach puberty, they move on to larger prey, including capybaras, young deer, as well as reptiles such as caimans.
Anacondas kill their prey by squeezing it with powerful body rings and then swallowing it whole.
