A man narrowly escaped death in the Amazon after biting a giant anaconda that had wrapped itself around him, according to video footage that emerged Sunday from Terra Santa, Brazil.
The incident, captured on camera, shows the man struggling in chest-deep water with the powerful serpent. In a desperate attempt to free himself, he bites the snake near its head while two companions attempt to assist him.
“This is an extremely rare and dangerous situation,” said Dr. Maria Silva, a herpetologist at the Federal University of Pará, who reviewed the footage. “Anacondas are not typically aggressive towards humans, but when threatened, they can be formidable.”
The video shows one man grabbing the anaconda’s tail while another tries to uncoil it from their wooden boat. After more than 30 seconds of struggle, the snake eventually releases its grip.
Anacondas, also known as water boas, are among the world’s largest snakes, capable of growing over 26 feet long and weighing more than 440 pounds. While not venomous, they kill prey by constriction.
Local authorities have not released information about potential injuries sustained by the man or the circumstances that led to the encounter.
