Animal Names · Entry

Anaconda

Possibly Tamil via Sinhala, path uncertain

“possibly 'elephant killer' (heavily disputed etymology)”

Where it comes from

possibly Tamil 'anai-kondra' (elephant killer)

Fun Fact

Despite the name's plausible South Asian roots, anacondas are found only in South America. The word appears to have been misapplied to the snake by early European naturalists.

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