Approximately how long ago did the Eunectes genus split from pythons and other boas?

Answer

Approximately 12 million years ago (MYA)

The evolutionary separation between the *Eunectes* genus, which encompasses the anacondas, and other major snake groups, specifically including pythons and other boas, is estimated by researchers to have occurred roughly 12 million years ago. This ancient divergence event was crucial as it established the fundamental evolutionary path for anacondas, setting them on the trajectory to become massive, aquatic ambush predators relying on constriction. This deep evolutionary split predates the formation of the specific modern geographical features like the Pantanal, suggesting that the ancestral anaconda line was already developing specialized characteristics for a semi-aquatic lifestyle long before their current South American ranges were fully defined.

Related Questions

Approximately how long ago did the Eunectes genus split from pythons and other boas?What is the characteristic base coloration of the yellow anaconda, *Eunectes notaeus*?Which massive South American wetland system is the primary habitat for *Eunectes notaeus*?Where are the eyes and nostrils of *E. notaeus* positioned for an aquatic lifestyle?Compared to *Eunectes murinus*, what is generally true about the maximum size of *E. notaeus*?What specific locomotion pattern do newborn yellow anacondas exhibit when escaping immediate threats?How recent is the divergence among the four recognized species within the *Eunectes* genus?The presence of *E. notaeus* is strongly tied to the drainage basins of which two major South American rivers?Despite local pressures, what is the current global conservation listing for *Eunectes notaeus*?What characteristic defines the biomechanics of the S-start escape motion in neonates?

evolution yellow anaconda