Imagine swimming in the tranquil waters of the Amazon, only to be confronted by the colossal presence of the world’s largest snake. This is the extraordinary experience that underwater videographer and professional shark diver, Bartolomeo Bove, recently encountered. Bove traveled to the Formoso River in Brazil, known for its crystal-clear waters, to fulfill his dream of swimming alongside the elusive and enigmatic green anaconda.

Green anacondas are a species of large, heavy-bodied snake native to the swamps, marshes, and murky streams of South America. These predatory reptiles have long been the subject of fear and fascination, with myths of their aggression and danger to humans running rampant. However, Bove’s remarkable encounter challenges these preconceptions, revealing the gentler side of these magnificent creatures.

Bove and his diving partner, Juca Ygarape, were fortunate enough to come face-to-face with a massive 7-meter (23-foot) female anaconda weighing approximately 90 kilograms (200 lbs). Rather than exhibiting the aggressive behavior often associated with these snakes, the anaconda appeared calm, peaceful, and completely indifferent to the presence of the divers.

As the divers carefully approached the anaconda, they were astonished to witness the snake’s seemingly playful behavior. The anaconda even went as far as licking the camera lens, further challenging the perception of these animals as dangerous and unpredictable. Bove described the experience as “unbelievable,” with the sensations he felt during the encounter being impossible to fully capture in words.