Besides this large green anaconda, they also had three smaller ones, though none were adults—their bodies measured less than three meters. These small snakes seemed hardly worth the price. When it comes to selling wild animals, only the big ones really matter. Jiang Hai was stunned when he heard that the large anaconda cost just 10,000 US dollars—it was surprisingly cheap.
In the Amazon rainforest of South America, this creature sits near the top of the food chain. It's incredibly powerful and can prey on almost anything: crocodiles, wild boars, piranhas, and more.
As a side note, anyone who has kept piranhas knows they are actually quite weak and timid. They can't even compete with common domestic cichlids like map fish or arowanas. The moment you put your hand into a tank, piranhas scatter to a corner, showing no aggression at all.
Wild piranhas in the southern United States behave similarly. It's never happened that people falling into rivers were eaten by piranhas. Even live animals, like sheep or cows crossing rivers, are generally safe because piranhas are too scared to attack.
But the situation changes if the animal is dead or injured, bleeding in the water. There's a popular video online showing a little girl scooping up a bucket of piranhas with a piece of meat. Though exaggerated, it's true that piranhas will frenzy when there's food.
Still, these fish are prey for many animals in the Amazon. Crocodiles eat them, green anacondas eat them, and some large fish do too—like the giant arapaima Jiang Hai had raised before his dragon fish mutated, and the eel that resembles a crocodile. So piranhas aren't truly powerful; the green anaconda really is the apex predator in South America. Jiang Hai made a mental note to buy one before leaving.
Passing the green anaconda's cage, Jiang Hai lost interest in the other snakes. These traders caught animals to sell, not to kill, so there were no venomous snakes here—except for one type: the king cobra. Otherwise, most were pythons, but after seeing the green anaconda, Jiang Hai wasn't impressed by Burmese or golden pythons.
Several people soon passed by on the snake side, and Jiang Hai paid no attention to the frogs behind them either. His interest rekindled when he reached the crocodile section.
Jiang Hai had always been fascinated by crocodiles—these ancient creatures dating back to the dinosaur era.
These traders were skilled; they had dozens of crocodiles of all sizes. Previously, someone had explained to Jiang Hai that crocodiles are divided into two categories: alligators and crocodiles. Alligators are generally smaller, crocodiles larger. Here, they had nearly every size imaginable.
The most famous alligator is the Yangtze Alligator from China, which isn't found here—though Americans still fantasize about poaching it from China.
Jiang Hai wasn't interested in the small crocodiles, but his attention fixed on the largest one. Barton, the "shopping guide," noticed Jiang Hai's gaze and eagerly began his pitch.
"This is a saltwater crocodile—the largest crocodile in the world. This one's not full-grown, but it's already four meters long. We caught it in Indonesia, which was quite a feat. If you want it, it'll cost you 40,000 US dollars."
Jiang Hai listened carefully, but Barton's price was inflated. This crocodile was farmed. Although saltwater crocodiles are listed as vulnerable and protected in their home countries, Southeast Asian countries often prioritize profit over protection.
In recent years, as wild populations decline, farming has become more common—especially for crocodiles, whose skin is highly valued for luxury leather goods, and whose meat is increasingly popular in Southeast Asia.
This particular crocodile came from a breeding farm. It escaped once and was recaptured by this group, who bought it for just 2,000 US dollars. For locals, 2,000 dollars is a fortune. They sold it without hesitation, and the traders put considerable effort into transporting it here.
If Barton truly sold it for 40,000 dollars, that would be a huge profit—but Jiang Hai and the others had no way of knowing the real price.
Hearing Barton's words, Jiang Hai pondered quietly. Even if Barton was trying to rip him off, 40,000 dollars was pocket change to him. It made sense to spend that much on animals he liked.
Now, the question was: what would he actually buy?
Seeing Jiang Hai deep in thought, Barton wisely stayed silent, waiting for his decision. But just then, the warehouse door suddenly swung open with a loud clang. A tall black man, about two meters high, staggered in holding a bottle of wine. His eyes flicked over Jiang Hai's group, and when he saw Azarina, a look of lust crossed his face. He stumbled over toward them.
"Hey brother, back from drinking?" Barton greeted him, but the man ignored him, pushing past and walking straight up to Jiang Hai.
Breathing heavily, he smiled and said, "Boy, what are you doing here?"
Jiang Hai frowned at the stench of alcohol and bad breath. "We're here to buy something. Is there a problem?" he replied coldly, dismissing whether the man understood.
After a year in the U.S., Jiang Hai knew the ways of these types. You had to be tough when necessary; otherwise, they'd see you as easy prey. Besides, Jiang Hai had plenty of financial backing—billions in the bank was no joke.
The drunk man spat alcohol and sneered, "Problem? Yeah, problem. I don't want to do business with you. Get out."
Jiang Hai's eyes flashed but he smiled. If the man didn't want to sell, then no deal—it wasn't worth his time.
"The animals are yours. You can decide whether to sell. Let's go," Jiang Hai said, waving his hand, ready to leave.
"Wait!" the drunk man called out. "You just come and go as you please? You gotta pay to be here, too! Hundred thousand dollars per person for the zoo tickets. Pay up or leave the woman here and go raise money."
Jiang Hai and his group exchanged glances, then laughed quietly.
"Laugh all you want," the drunk man growled, annoyed. "You think you're funny? I'm gonna teach you a lesson!"
Jiang Hai raised his glasses—the ones he bought earlier, equipped with a built-in camera. He wore them for fun, but now they might come in handy.
"Laugh at you, son-in-law. When your mother gave birth to you, did she throw you away and let the placenta grow? Honestly, you're the dumbest creature in this room. Even the cockroaches are smarter. And you smell awful—stay away from me." Jiang Hai spat words like a machine gun, eyes full of contempt.
The insult stunned the drunk man for a moment. Then, enraged, he raised his fist and punched Jiang Hai hard in the face.