Wednesday, 30 July 2025 International Friendship Day, officially recognized by the United Nations, is celebrated annually on 30 July to emphasize the importance of friendship in fostering peace, solidarity, and mutual understanding among peoples and cultures across the globe. The day encourages individuals, communities, and nations to build bridges of harmony, especially in times of rising tension, conflict, or division.
I Introduction The Dark-spotted Anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei), also referred to as De Schauensee's anaconda, is one of the least known and least studied members of the genus Eunectes, which includes the more widely recognized green anaconda (Eunectes murinus). With a discreet lifestyle, remote habitat, and a relatively small population, this elusive snake remains shrouded in mystery. Unlike its better-known cousins, the dark-spotted anaconda lives in relative obscurity, inhabiting seasonal wetlands and forest margins in the northeastern parts of South America. Despite being part of the anaconda family—infamous for their size and power—E. deschauenseei is relatively modest in size and often escapes the attention of herpetologists and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Taxonomy and Naming The scientific name Eunectes deschauenseei honors Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee, a prominent American ornithologist. The species was first described in 1936 by Dunn and Conant, based on a specimen found...