anaconda

Anaconda is a common name for several large constrictor snakes in the genus Eunectes, native to South America. They are non-venomous and kill by constriction. Anacondas are aquatic or semi-aquatic, inhabiting swamps, marshes, and slow rivers in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the best known and among the heaviest snakes. Adults typically range from 2 to 4 meters, with occasional reports exceeding 5 meters. Other species include the yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) and related Eunectes members with more restricted ranges. Reproduction is ovoviviparous: females give birth to live young after internal development; litters can number from a dozen to several dozen. The diet includes birds, mammals such as capybaras, caimans, and deer; larger individuals can tackle sizable prey.

Anaconda also refers to a major data science software distribution. The Anaconda distribution, maintained by Anaconda, Inc., provides Python and R with a large collection of pre-installed packages. Its central feature is the conda package and environment manager, enabling easy installation, updating, and isolation of software and dependencies. Anaconda includes user interfaces such as Anaconda Navigator and commonly used tools like Jupyter Notebook and Spyder. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is widely used in education, research, and industry for reproducible computing. A lighter alternative is Miniconda, which installs only the package manager and Python/R, allowing users to add packages as needed.