Latest news with #anaconda
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Watch out for videos of ginormous anacondas in Amazon River
Claim: A series of videos shows massive, real-life anacondas swimming through the Amazon River. Rating: In July 2025, several videos began circulating across social media platforms, allegedly showing aerial footage of gigantic anacondas slithering through the Amazon River. These videos, some of which received millions of views, appeared to show unnaturally large snakes moving through dense jungle waterways. One TikTok post (archived) with the footage gained over 36 million views on TikTok. Similar videos spread across platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X and Reddit. However, these videos did not depict real-life events. They were created using AI video generation tools, most likely Sora, a text-to-video model developed by OpenAI. Many of the clips included a subtle watermark in the bottom-right corner indicating the use of such a tool. Additionally, no reputable news agencies or wildlife organizations reported any recent sightings of extraordinarily large anacondas in the Amazon River. While green anacondas (Eunectes murinus) are indeed among the largest snakes in the world and inhabit the region, the ones shown in these videos are far larger than any known specimen, and clearly fabricated. As such, we have rated these videos as fake. Wave of AI anaconda videos spreads online The TikTok profile (archived) @ which had over 387,300 followers as of this writing, featured dozens of AI-generated videos, many of which depicted surreal wildlife scenes, such as giant anacondas in the Amazon rain forest (see screenshot below). (TikTok user @ One of the user's TikTok videos (archived) reached over 12 million views, with a caption reading: During a routine surveillance mission over the Amazon River, a military helicopter crew spotted something unbelievable — a massive black anaconda gliding through the jungle waters. The size and speed of the serpent stunned the crew, and the footage is sending chills across the internet!Was this just a freak encounter… or is something colossal lurking in the Amazon depths? The description further stated 📍Location: Amazon River Basin 🎥 Type: AI-generated concept" and featured "#AIConcept" hashtag, among other ones. While this video at least included the disclosure that it was AI-generated, many viewers seemed to take it at face value, expressing shock and belief in the video's authenticity. Most other viral versions of the footage, however, lacked any disclaimer or context indicating they were AI-generated. Additionally, the clips featured a subtle OpenAI Blossom logo watermark in the bottom-right corner, indicating they were created using the AI video generator Sora (see image below). (TikTok use @ Illustration) The TikTok user confirmed personally creating all the videos using the AI tool Sora, consistent with the watermarks visible in the clips. The videos also displayed several telltale signs of being artificially created. For example, the massive snakes appeared to float on the surface of the water without interacting realistically with their surroundings. What's more, the textures of the snakes' skin and the water looked unnatural and overly smooth, lacking the detail and complexity seen in real footage. Finally, no reputable media outlets reported any verified sightings of such creatures, and the snakes depicted in the videos were of a size far beyond anything known to science. While real green anacondas are among the biggest snakes on Earth, the exaggerated scale shown in these AI-generated clips indicated they were entirely fabricated. (Don't) do it yourself To test how easily such viral snake videos could be created, we used Sora. With just a simple prompt, reading: " "generate a video, a view from above, pretty high, showing multiple anacondas in amazon river," we were able to produce a video that closely resembled the viral videos circulating online. (Sora) The videos were created in under a minute, with no need for editing software or wildlife knowledge. Notably, this was done with a very basic, first-try prompt. With just a little more effort, such as specifying camera movement, lighting, environmental effects, or more natural snake behavior, the results could be made even more realistic and harder to distinguish from genuine footage. For reference, here's a video of a real anaconda: We regularly debunk AI-generated content, including a recent rumor claiming that "The Simpsons" predicted a July 2025 scandal in which a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert allegedly caught a tech CEO cheating with the company's chief people officer. - YouTube. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025. AI Generated Content Articles | Accessed 23 Jul. 2025. Esposito, Joey. "Did 'The Simpsons' Predict Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal?" Snopes, 21 Jul. 2025, "Green Anaconda, Facts and Information." Animals, 13 Jun. 2025, OpenAI. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025. Sora: Creating Video from Text. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Sustainability Times
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sustainability Times
'We Thought It Was a Log—Then It Moved': Record-Breaking Anaconda Discovered on Will Smith's Amazon Expedition Shocks Crew
IN A NUTSHELL 🐍 Scientists discovered a new species of giant anaconda, the northern green anaconda , in the Ecuadorian Amazon. , in the Ecuadorian Amazon. 🎥 The find occurred during the filming of the National Geographic series ' Pole to Pole with Will Smith .' .' 🌿 Indigenous guides played a crucial role, helping researchers navigate the Amazon to capture anacondas measuring over 20 feet . . 📚 Local legends suggest these snakes could grow even larger, potentially making them the largest snakes on Earth. In an astonishing turn of events, scientists working alongside Will Smith for a National Geographic show have stumbled upon a discovery that could reshape our understanding of the Amazon's wildlife. Deep within the Ecuadorian Amazon, a new species of giant anaconda has been uncovered, marking a significant milestone in herpetology. This groundbreaking find, made during the filming of a National Geographic series, has captivated the scientific community and promises to unlock new secrets about these elusive reptiles. A Discovery Like No Other While filming in the dense jungles of the Ecuadorian Amazon, a team led by Professor Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland made a find that has left the scientific world in awe. In the remote Bameno region of the Baihuaeri Waorani Territory, an area seldom visited by outsiders, they discovered a new species of anaconda. This species, now identified as the northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima), challenges previous records with its potential to grow beyond 20 feet in length. The discovery occurred during the filming of the National Geographic series 'Pole to Pole with Will Smith,' adding a layer of intrigue and excitement to an already thrilling expedition. This find not only adds a new chapter to the study of anacondas but also highlights the rich biodiversity of the Amazon, an ecosystem that continues to surprise and amaze scientists and explorers alike. This Extremely Rare 'Asian Unicorn' Just Had Its Genome Sequenced, and the Results Could Transform Conservation Forever The Hunt for the Biggest Snake in the World Embarking on a 10-day expedition, the team of scientists, guided by indigenous hunters, set out to uncover the truth behind local legends of enormous snakes. Paddling through river systems in traditional canoes, the team successfully captured several specimens of the gigantic anacondas. Among them was a specimen measuring a remarkable 20.7 feet. This expedition was not just a journey through the thick Amazon jungle but a quest to document and understand the world's largest snakes. The collaboration between scientists and indigenous people played a crucial role in navigating the challenging terrain and accessing areas where these colossal snakes reside. This partnership underscores the importance of local knowledge in scientific discovery and conservation efforts. 'This Kitchen Staple Destroys Ant Colonies Fast': How Table Salt Eliminates Infestations Without a Single Drop of Insecticide The Local Legend: Snakes Growing Over 24 Feet? What makes this discovery even more intriguing are the age-old legends of the local Waorani people. According to these indigenous narratives, some of these giant anacondas are believed to grow even larger than what the team captured, potentially exceeding 24 feet in length. If substantiated, this would make the northern green anaconda the largest snake species known to humankind. The Waorani hold these snakes in high regard, considering them sacred. Their tales of mammoth snakes surpassing 7.5 meters (over 24 feet) add a fascinating cultural dimension to this scientific discovery. The blending of scientific exploration with indigenous folklore creates a rich tapestry of knowledge that both respects and utilizes traditional beliefs and modern science. 'Lost for 62 Years Then Found Alive': Ultra-Rare Egg-Laying Mammal Resurfaces in Remote Indonesian Rainforest Against All Odds The Amazon's Hidden Giant The expedition posed numerous challenges, requiring the team to navigate the intricate river systems of the Amazon to reach the secluded habitats of these giant snakes. The anacondas were typically found in shallow waters, lying in wait for prey. The largest anaconda captured during the expedition was an impressive 20.7 feet long. This discovery raises profound questions about the biodiversity of the Amazon and what other secrets may still be hidden within its vast, untapped wilderness. Could there be even larger anacondas waiting to be discovered? As the northern green anaconda rewrites the record books, the Amazon remains a mysterious frontier, holding untold stories and discoveries that challenge our current understanding of nature. The revelation of the northern green anaconda is a testament to the enduring mysteries of the Amazon and the potential for new scientific discoveries. As researchers continue to explore this vast ecosystem, they might uncover even more astonishing findings. What other secrets might the Amazon hold, and how will they shape our understanding of the natural world? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.3/5 (24)
