By Stephen Beech

Anacondas have been giants of the animal world for over 12 million years, reveals new research.

Analysis of fossils from South America shows that the tropical snakes reached their maximum size 12.4 million years ago - and have remained massive ever since.

Anacondas are among the world's largest living snakes.

They can grow up to 30 feet (nine meters) long and weigh up to 550 pounds (250kilos), although most adults are smaller at around 16 feet (five meters) in length.

The University of Cambridge -led research team explained that many animal species that lived 12.4 to 5.3 million years ago - the period known as the ‘Middle to Upper Miocene’ - were much bigger than their modern relatives due to warmer global temperatures, extensive wetlands and an abundance of food.

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